Tag Archives: Trader Joe’s

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Cancer-Causing Chemical Found in 98 Shampoos and Soaps


a repost

By Shawn Radcliffe

Sat, Aug 31, 2013Tests ordered by an environmental watchdog group revealed the presence of a cancer-causing chemical in dozens of personal care products that lack a warning label required by California law.

The compound, a chemically modified form of coconut oil—cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA)—is used as a foaming agent or thickener in soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and similar products.

Carcinogenic Ingredients in Your Personal Care Products?

No Warning Labels

An independent laboratory commissioned by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) tested the products to determine how much cocamide DEA was present. CEH purchased these products after June 2013 from online and local California retailers, such as Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kohl’s, and Babies R Us.

Many of the products tested contained more than 10,000 parts per million (ppm) of cocamide DEA. In all, CEH identified 98 products with cocamide DEA among the ingredients, none of which carried the warning required by state law.

“The state has not set a [safety] level specific to cocamide DEA,” says Charles Margulis, Communications Director and Food Program Director of CEH, “but the levels we found exceed levels typical for carcinogens.”

What’s in Your Beauty Products?

To comply with California’s Proposition 65, companies are still required to provide a “clear and reasonable” warning to consumers when products they sell or produce contain chemicals listed by the state as harmful. This includes compounds known to cause cancer or birth defects.

Cocamide DEA was added to the California list of harmful chemicals in 2012 after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published its review of the chemical’s safety, which was based upon skin exposure tests in animals. “There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of coconut oil diethanolamine condensate,” the agency writes.

Environmental Group Files Lawsuit

In response to the laboratory results, the CEH filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against four companies—Walgreens, Lake Consumer Products, Ultimark Products, and Todd Christopher International.

“Our demand is that companies reformulate their products, without cocamide DEA,” says Margulis. “There are many similar shampoos and soaps on the market made without the chemical, so it is obviously possible to make the products safer.”

The CEH also sent legal letters advising more than 100 other companies producing or selling products containing the chemical that their products violate Proposition 65.

In the lawsuit, which was filed in California Superior Court in Alameda County, the CEH accuses the companies of “knowingly and intentionally exposing individuals to cocamide DEA without first giving clear and reasonable warnings to such individuals regarding the carcinogenicity of cocamide DEA.”

Dangerous Ingredients to Watch Out For in Cosmetics

The lawsuit asks the court to fine the companies $2,500 a day for each violation and prevent them from selling products containing cocamide DEA in California without a clear warning label.

The CEH hopes these short-term actions, along with their continuing efforts, will have an even wider effect.

“Under the law, companies can simply label,” says Margulis, “but we’ve had hundreds of Prop 65 cases over 17 years of doing this work, and in over 95 percent of these cases, we have won legally binding agreements that require companies to reformulate their products. We expect the same in these cases.”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

FDA Alerts & Recalls ~~ Dec 2013


FDA (trade union)
12/29/2013 02:47 PM EST
ZIP INTERNATIONAL GROUP LLC, 160 Raritan Center Parkway #6, Edison, NJ 08837, is recalling herring fillet in oil (FOSFOREL, ATLANTIKA) 200 grams in plastic packaging due to Listeria contamination.

Giant Eagle Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Peanut Allergen In Candy Place Chocolate Santas

12/28/2013 05:54 PM EST
Candy Place Chocolate Santas packages were voluntarily recalled by Giant Eagle due to an undeclared peanut allergen. While the individual peanut butter filled candies reference “peanut butter�, peanuts are not listed as an ingredient on the primary package label, creating the potential for a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if consumed by those with a peanut allergy. The product is safe for consumption by those who do not have a peanut allergy

Baxter Initiates Worldwide Voluntary Recall Of Select Lots Of 5 percent Dextrose Injection, USP And 0.9 percent Sodium Chloride Injection, USP Intravenous (IV) Solutions

12/26/2013 09:38 PM EST
Baxter International Inc. announced today it has initiated a voluntary recall to the hospital/user level of one lot of 5 percent Dextrose Injection, USP and four lots of 0.9 percent Sodium Chloride Injection, USP due to particulate matter found in the solutions. Injecting a product containing particulate matter may result in blockages of blood vessels, which can result in stroke, heart attack or damage to other organs such as the kidney or liver.

Hospira Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of One Lot of Lidocaine HCl Injection, USP, 2%, 5 Ml in 5 Ml Vial, Due to Presence of Particulate Matter

12/23/2013 03:45 PM EST
Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), announced today it will initiate a voluntary nationwide recall to the user level for one lot of Lidocaine HCl Injection, USP, 2%, 5 mL Single-Dose Vial (NDC 0409-2066-05), Lot 32-135-DD, expiration date 1AUG2015. The recall is due to a reddish orange particulate on the inner surface and floating in the solution.
12/20/2013 04:08 PM EST
Concertos in Chocolate of Boulder, Colorado is recalling 450 solid milk chocolate Santas. Because of possible mislabeling it may contain undeclared milk products.
12/21/2013 10:42 AM EST
Spokane Produce, Inc., of Spokane Washington is recalling approximately 59 lbs of Victor’s Sesame Hummus due to concerns about possible Listeria Monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
12/13/2013 09:59 PM EST
December 13, 2013 – Cheshire, Conn., – Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) today is providing further information regarding a previously communicated voluntary recall of two lots of Soliris (eculizumab) Concentrated Solution for Intravenous Infusion. As stated on Nov. 12, 2013, the two lots were found to contain visible particles.
12/16/2013 03:03 PM EST
Megabusiness LLC of Danbury, CT is recalling Del Campo Papa seca / DRY POTATO 24×14 oz. because they contain undeclared sulfites. People who have a severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume these products.
12/16/2013 04:47 PM EST
Bee International, Inc. of Chula Vista, CA is recalling its 2oz. packages of candy “Sweet Spots” because they may contain undeclared egg protein. People who have allergies to egg may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
12/16/2013 12:46 PM EST
Stone Independent Research, Inc. of Syracuse, NY is recalling 15,657 units of EnhanceRx, a dietary supplement, because it contains undeclared milk (whey protein). People who have an allergy to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
12/16/2013 12:43 PM EST
Stone Independent Research, Inc. of Syracuse, NY is recalling 1,040 units of Zanocap Scientific Weight Loss 500 mg capsules because it contains undeclared milk (whey protein). People who have an allergy to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the affected product.
12/13/2013 03:35 PM EST
ee International, Inc. of Chula Vista, CA is recalling its 2oz. packages of candy “Sweet Spots” because they may contain undeclared egg protein. People who have allergies to egg may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
12/16/2013 12:50 PM EST
Blooming Import Inc at 45 Bowne Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 is recalling Farmer Brand Dried Lily Flowers because they contain undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.
12/12/2013 02:18 PM EST
Blooming Import Inc at 45 Bowne Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 is recalling Golden Lion Brand Dried Ziziphus Jujuba Mill (Dried Dates) because they contain undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

Nipple Aspirate Test is No Substitute for Mammogram

12-12-13 3:46 pm

Some companies are marketing a new test, the “nipple aspirate test,” as the latest and greatest tool in early breast cancer screening.

But FDA warns that the nipple aspirate test is no substitute for a mammogram.
Read the Consumer Update to find out why.
12/12/2013 09:43 AM EST
HEALTH MATTERS AMERICA INC. of Cheektowaga, New York is recalling specific lots of ORGANIC TRADITIONS DARK CHOCOLATE HAZELNUTS, ORGANIC TRADITIONS DARK CHOCOLATE HAZELNUTS WITH CHILI, ORGANIC TRADITIONS DARK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS, and ORGANIC TRADITIONS DARK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS WITH CHILI because they were found to contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
12/12/2013 12:16 PM EST
Whole Foods Market Mid-Atlantic Region is recalling an organic creamy spinach dip because it contains eggs, an undeclared allergen.
12/03/2013 10:28 PM EST
Cargill‘s animal nutrition business today announced a voluntary recall of two of its Nutrena NatureWise poultry feeds due to incorrect levels of calcium. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s facilities in Flora, Ill., Oklahoma City, Okla., Abilene, Texas, and Mineola, Texas, between May 1, 2013 and Nov. 21, 2013.

Huxtable’s Kitchen Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergens in Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin

12/02/2013 05:15 PM EST
Huxtable’s Kitchen Inc. of Vernon, California is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin (SKU 96541) sold in the refrigerated section with “Use By 12/13/13” date, because it may not list wheat and egg in the ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat and egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Walmart: Say no to GMO

4 Comments

Who wants genetically engineered (GE) sweet corn in our grocery stores?Surely Walmart doesn’t want it…right? Our friends at Food & Water Watch have waged a campaign to stop genetically engineered sweet corn from making it to the stores and your dinner table with tremendous success from a number of food suppliers, but Walmart has yet to reply.

Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and General Mills have all pledged to not use it, why hasn’t Walmart done the same?
Take action with our friends at Food & Water Watch and tell Walmart to reject GE sweet corn!
Thanks, your friends at Greenpeace _____________________________

Ask Walmart to Reject Genetically Engineered Sweet Corn
Sign the Petition to Tell Walmart You Won’t Buy GE Sweet Corn
                 Dear friend,
Genetically engineered Monsanto sweet corn is approved and could be on your plate this year. Monsanto’s sweet corn could be planted this spring, but Walmart can refuse to accept it, protecting consumers from this untested and unlabeled product. Can you sign our petition asking Walmart to reject genetically engineered sweet corn?              Why should you ask Walmart to reject Monsanto’s Genetically Engineered (GE) Sweet Corn?
1) Whether you shop at Walmart or not, they are the largest U.S. food retailer, and if they won’t sell genetically engineered sweet corn, it’s likely that farmers won’t plant it.
2) Genetically engineered sweet corn will not be labeled, so you won’t know what you’re buying.
3) Monsanto’s GE sweet corn hasn’t been tested for human safety, and it contains three different genetically engineered traits that haven’t been used in food eaten directly by people.
Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and General Mills have already agreed not to use GE sweet corn in any of their products, but we need other stores to follow their lead to end the market for this untested sweet corn.
As you already know, genetically engineered foods are not required to be   labeled, so we have no way of knowing if a food contains GE ingredients. We believe labeling should  be  required so that people can choose whether or not they want to eat GE   foods. Unfortunately GE sweet corn, will not be labeled, and doesn’t   look any different from regular sweet corn.
Help make sure GE Sweet Corn is not sold by signing our petition to Walmart.  We’ll be delivering this petition to Walmart next month in an attempt to stop GE Sweet Corn from reaching your  plate.
Thanks for taking action,
Wenonah Hauter
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

This is crazy, Washington!

1 Comment

Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

Here’s TJ’s number, call them maybe?

Their customers are calling, but Trader Joe’s still refuses to meet with us to discuss ending the sale of meat raised on antibiotics. The grocer says it listens to its customers, so we’re ramping up more calls. Can you call them, maybe?

Take action

 

To save our antibiotics, we can’t just wait for Congress to act. We have to go directly to grocery chains selling antibiotic-raised meat and get them to stop.

So we targeted Trader Joe’s, one of the nation’s most progressive grocers, to lead the way in the fight to save our antibiotics.

But after presenting a half-million of your signatures, sending thousands of emails, postcards and fliers – and running full-page ads in the hometown newspapers where they’re headquartered – Trader Joe’s management still refuses to sit down and talk with us about stopping the sale of this meat.

This is crazy! Now we need a little help from you to convince them.

Make a toll-free call to company headquarters today, and ask them to stop selling meat raised on drugs!

Trader Joe’s prides itself on listening to its customers. Since the company is headquartered in California, we recently put ads in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle asking customers to call company execs and ask them to end the sale of antibiotic-raised beef, poultry and pork. The execs got a LOT of calls!

What did Trader Joe’s do? They dug in even deeper, telling callers they will keep selling meat raised on antibiotics. Pretty unbelievable for a company that claims to listen to its customers. The Pacific-Northwest is a major market for Trader Joes. Your call may be the tipping point.

We’re not giving up until they do. Help us keep the pressure on by making your own quick phone call — and let us know what the grocer tells you.

We’re tackling the overuse of antibiotics in our food animals on every front – including testing meat for drug-resistant superbugs, lobbying in Congress, and pushing industry and the marketplace to stop this risky practice. Join us in making a safer future for your family by making a call now.

Sincerely, Jean Halloran, NotInMyFood.org, a project of Consumers Union Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

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