Today In Alt Med

Family Cow Dairy Raw Milk Blamed For 6 Campylobacter Infections

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Health officials in Maryland announced Friday that a dairy marketing raw milk under the Family Cow brand has been blamed for 6 cases of Campylobacter infection in recent days. In a statement released through the state's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, it was revealed that the dairy is not actually located in Maryland, where the sale of raw milk to the public is against the law.  The dairy is actually based in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

So far 6 cases of Campylobacter have been linked to the milk with 3 of them occurring in Maryland residents and the remaining 3 occurring in people living in Pennsylvania.  All victims of the Campylobacter infections reported drinking Family Cow brand milk.  The press release does not give any information about the seriousness of the apparent infections or identify the exact strain of Campylobacter found.

Family Cow reportedly sells raw milk at its own on-site store and at several "drop-off" locales around the state.  It's unclear from the press release exactly how the Maryland folks got their milk.

Family Cow dairy's milk is sold in containers in gallon, half-gallon, quart and pint sizes.  Health officials are urging anyone who has any Family Cow product purchased this month to discard it immediately.  (The agency did not provide photos of Family Cow's raw milk containers for us to share with you.)

Family Cow's website, www.yourfamilycow.com, does not carry any notice of the recent Campylobacter issue that I could find this afternoon.  Also, the company does not seem to have a Twitter presence but its Facebook page does not appear to have been updated since early in January and, like it's websites, is also silent on the multi-state investigation.

E. Coli Prompts ANOTHER Raw Milk Recall

Details are scarce right now but it appears that another recall of raw milk is underway.  This time it's all fluid raw milk products sold by Tenino, Washington's Frisia Dairy & Creamery.  The dairy does not appear to have an official website but it does have a social media presence and on Thursday the dairy posted a notice which notified customers about a recall notice that was, at that time, imminent.

In the notice, spokesperson "Anita" explained that testing had found E. coli in the dairy's skim milk. Anyone with any fluid milk products from Frisia Dairy & Creamery was urged to return it to their place of purchase.

I have not been able to get my hands on a copy of the official recall notice, which was reportedly issued through the Washington State Department of Agriculture website but numerous media outlets, including a local television station, apparently have.  Those reports say that no actual E. coli infections have been blamed on the milk and only the single sample tested positive for the pathogen.

Those reports also list these Washington locations where Frisia's raw milk was known to have been sold to the public:

• Olympia Food Co-op, 3111 Pacific Ave., Olympia
• Yelm Co-op, 404 First St., Yelm  
• Mt. Community Co-op, 105 Carter St., Eatonville  
• Shop-N-Kart, 2100 N. National Ave., Chehalis
• Olympia Food Co-op, 921 Rogers, Olympia
• Olympia Local Foods, 2442 Mottman Road SW, Tumwater
• Baily’s IGA, 10333 Hwy 12 SW, Rochester 
• Tenino IGA, 669 Lincoln Ave., Tenino

Reports also quote the farm's owner as saying that the dairy is getting out of the raw milk business and responses to comments on Frisia's Facebook page seem to confirm that as well.

This is, of course, the second recall of tainted raw milk in Washington in just the past few weeks.  Just before Thanksgiving Cozy Vale Creamery issued a recall of raw milk that was, at that time, blamed on 3 cases of E. coli poisoning.

FDA: "Don't Worry About Orange Juice"

"Don't worry about your orange juice." That's the title of the latest post at the FDA's consumer blog, FDA Voice.  The statement was a response to dozens of news stories about a banned pesticide being found in orange juices and orange juice products brought into this country.

Just after the turn of the new year the news media learned that Coca-Cola had informed the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, that its own tests had detected low levels of a now-banned fungicide in samples of orange juices that it imports.  The company said that it also tested some competitors' brands and found the same fungicide in them, too.  This came just weeks after the whole Dr.-Oz-apple-juice frenzy and, naturally, the media had a field day with it.

None of us likes the idea of chemical residue on our foods but it's important to remember that this particular fungicide was actually used on citrus fruits in this country as recently as 2009.  So 2 years ago it was safe enough to be used in limited volumes but today it's going to kill us all?  Really?

All along experts kept insisting that the levels of the fungicide--which is carbendazim, by the way--were very, very low and posed no risk.  And that's exactly what tests done by the FDA found.  Many of the samples they tested had no detectable levels of the potential toxin in them at all.  And brands that haven't yet been tested won't be allowed into this country until they're proven safe, as well.

And that's why the FDA has decided against forcing a recall of orange juices that are already on store shelves.  The agency's advice--"Continue to enjoy your orange juice."

Or you could just do what I do--make your own.  It takes less than 30 minutes a week to make all the orange juice my family can drink.  It tastes better, it's a lot fresher and it's not full of preservatives, colorants or flavor enhancers.  And I don't have to worry nearly as much about things like pesticide residue.

Several States Urging Residents To Test For Radon

 

January is, among other things, National Radon Action Month and several states have already issued pleas to residents, urging them to test their homes for radon.  The gas, which is colorless, odorless and tasteless, is radioactive and among the leading causes of lung cancer.  In fact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, estimates that radon is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year and is second only to smoking in lung cancer causes.   (Radon is actually believed to kill more people every year than accidents caused by drunken driving.)

So how does this gas get into your home in the first place?  Radon is a "byproduct" of the uranium that's probably already in the soil around your house.  It seeps into your home through cracks and holes and, over time, builds up inside enclosed spaces.

Radon isn't a terribly uncommon problem, either.  1 in 15 U.S. homes is believed to have elevated levels of radon in them.  And while radon is more common in some states than others, every state in the U.S. has "pockets" of homes where radon levels exceed safe levels.

To see if your home is at risk you'll need to do what radon experts call a short-term radon test.  You'll be given special testing units that you place around your home and leave in place for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.  Depending upon what the short-term test show you may or may not need a long-term test and radon-remedying repairs to your home.

A number of states are offering the short-term radon tests at reduced prices.  Colorado, for example, is offering coupons for both short-term and long-term kits.  Georgia has appointed a chemical hazards program staff to answer questions and several other states have taken similar approaches to reducing the effects of radon in homes.

Readers, is your state doing anything special?  Leave the link in our comment section and share what you know about your state's radon reduction plans.

 

"Natural" Vagifresh Products Recalled For Drug & Multiple Bacteria

Image of recalled Vagifresh Ball provided by FDA.

USA Far Ocean Group likes to hawk its Vagifresh products as a way to "cleanse" the reproductive tract and "maintain" the ovaries.  (It also, apparently, repairs facial skin but given that it's a vaginal suppository I'm not sure how that would work.)  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on the other hand, says that the products not only contains a pharmaceutical drug; they're potentially contaminated with 8 different strains of bacteria.

In a statement dated yesterday the company announced that it was recalling all lots of its Vagifresh Ball product and all lots of its Vagifresh Gel product.  If you've been using these products you should stop immediately.  If you've used them and think you've experienced any problems with them you should, the company advises, seek medical care.

The Vagifresh statement about the recall admits that the FDA found the anesthetic benzocaine in the product.  It also admits that those same tests also turned up bacteria including:

• Staphylococcus lentus
• Staphylococcus sciuri
• Bacillus lentus
• Alloiococcus otitis
• Aerococcus viridans
• Aeromonas salmonicida 
• Gemella
• Leuconostoc

Some of these bacteria are . . . interesting.  Alloiococcus otitis, for instance, is often implicated in inner ear infections while Aeromonas salmonicida is most often found in fish.  And various strains of Leuconostoc are used to make foods like sourdough breads and sauerkrats.

The company says that it's "extremely sorry" this happened and is working to uncover the exact source of the apparent contamination.  It does not speculate on how the contamination occured but says it hopes that this news won't cause customers to lose faith in the company's brands.

Covered by this recall are all lots of:

• Vagifresh Ball with UPC of 689076499156 
• Vagifresh Gel  with UPC of 689076499057

Vagifresh products are widely available in the U.S.  These particular items were peddled in natural foods stores, beauty shops and pharmacies.  They were also sold through mail order and the internet.  If you're able to, you can return the products to your place of purchase for a refund.  If you can't, you can contact the company directly at 626-560-2435 for information on how to get your money back.

The FDA has provided scans of the recalled Vagifresh products.  You can all those photos here.

President's Challenge Users--You've Been Hacked

If you're a past or present user of the President's Challenge fitness tracking website (at PresidentsChallenge.org) the folks behind that site want you to be aware that the site was recently hit by hackers.  According to an email sent out just moments ago information including your username, password and security question were all accessible to the intruders.

PresidentsChallenge.org stresses that it does not store Social Security numbers or credit card numbers but says it's notifying the public about the hacking so that folks who use the same username, email and passwords on other sites can go and change that information on any sites that do keep that kind of info on file.

The hacking occurred more than a week ago, apparently, and the organization says that it took the site offline in response.  As of my visit to the site a few moments ago the site was still down.  It should be back up "in a few days" the group says, but users will need to choose a new password before they can access it.  Security experts are currently re-evaluating the site for any other avenues that potential hackers could use in the future.

So what should you do?  Well, on the organization's Facebook page they recommend that you set about changing your password immediately on any other websites where you use the same email, username and/or passwords.

Sprouts Are Recalled--Again

Photo of recalled LEASA alfalfa sprouts provided by FDA.

LEASA Industries Co., Inc. has announced a recall covering one date code of its LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts after "routine" tests turned up positive for Salmonella bacteria.  LEASA's press release about the recall was issued only a few hours ago but at least 1 supermarket has already issued its own recall of LEASA brand sprouts--and it's not stopping with the alfalfa.  In a statement released just moments ago supermarket chain Winn-Dixie announced that it is recalling LEASA onion, broccoli, spicy, gourmet and alfalfa sprouts from all its stores.

LEASA says that the sprouts were distributed from January 4th through January 8th.  All have an expiration date code of 2/1/12 on them.  They should also bear the UPC of 75465-55912.

LEASA says that no actual Salmonella infections have been blamed on its recalled alfalfa sprouts but admits that the recall was prompted by "routine customer sampling".  (What they don't explain, however, is why the testing was done on the 9th but the recall is only being issued today.)  The company says that it's "working closely" with health officials from the Food and Drug Administration and the Florida Department of Agriculture.

If you have any of the recalled sprouts on hand you're asked to throw them out.  (The sprouts don't "expire" until February.)  And if you'd like more information about the recall you can contact the company directly at 800-362-7669.

Rexall Recalls Supplements After Mix-Up; Allergy Alert Issued

Photo of recalled Rexall Calcium 1200 plus 1000 provided by FDA. Accessible at FDA.gov.

Rexall, Inc. is recalling its Rexall Calcium 1200 mg plus 1000IU Vitamin D3 product--and issuing an allergy alert for it--after a mixup resulted in bottles being sent out with Rexall's Triple Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin and MSM Tablets in them instead.

In Rexall's press release, which was dated yesterday, the company didn't offer any details about how the mixup occured but it did stress that no actual allergic reactions have been reported to it.  Rexall did admit, however, that the problem was only discovered after "customers complained".  They apparently recognized the difference because the glucosamine product is a tablet while the calcium product that was supposed to be in the bottles comes in softgel form.

Rexall says that the product was sold only in Dollar General Stores and that this recall covers only 1 lot number.  Customers who believe they have the recalled supplement on hand will want to look for:

• Rexall Calcium 1200 mg plus 1000IU Vitamin D3, 60 softgels with the UPC 3 01220 45211 3 and expiration date of 08/15 and lot number of 387651-04

Anyone with this product in his or her possession can return it to their nearest Dollar General store for a refund.  The press release from Rexall was actually dated yesterday but as of my visit to DollarGeneral.com this morning I can still find no mention of the recall and allergy alert on the company's recall page.  However, the only calcium product I could find on the site was a DG-branded 600 mg caplet product.  Rexall's website doesn't even have a recall page that I could find.  Fortunately, the FDA has provided a photo of the recalled supplement's label.  You can see that in the image above.

NorthStar Nutritionals Gets Warned For Cancer, Other Claims

If you're "in the know"--at least according to the folks behind NorthStar Nutritionals--you already recognize the miracle that is selenium.  It is, after all, the "one substance" that can help you stop living in fear of cancer.

Experts with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, on the other hand, must not be "in the know" because they slapped NorthStar Nutritionals with an official warning letter for that and similar claims.  This morning the agency made that warning letter public.

Especially troubling to the agency are the company's Pure Immune Plus and Healthy Aging products and claims made on the website NorthStarNutritionals.com.  The Pure Immune Plus page, for example, contained a number of claims that regulators say go too far.  Those claims include things like:

• "If you could take one easy step to help prevent your greatest fear wouldn't you take it?"
• " . . . it impacts genes that are linked to the progression of cancer."

The site's page hawking NorthStar Nutritionals' Healthy Aging supplement was cited for claims like:

• "They're saying it [green tea, an ingredient in this product] can improve cholesterol."
• "Keeping your blood sugar in balance helps slow glycation . . ."

The FDA says that neither product has ever been proven safe or effective for any of those medical conditions so NorthStar Nutritionals is, in effect, hawking new and unapproved drugs.  But even if they were effective they would still be "misbranded" because many of the medical conditions for which they're being promoted aren't the kinds of health issues the average person can diagnose in himself, anyway.  And that means the average layperson simply can't use them safely.

The FDA's warning letter to NorthStar Nutritionals stresses that the agency's list of problems with the company's products is not exhaustive and advises the company to review its marketing and labeling for other potential problems.  NorthStar Nutritionals was given 15 working days to correct the alleged violations or face further regulatory actions.

The warning letter to NorthStar Nutritionals was dated January 10, 2012; as of my visit to the company's website this morning I found the claims I looked up still there.

Kindle Subscribers: We're Moving

First of all, I want to thank every single one of you.  I appreciate all my readers but those of you who subscribe through Kindles have a special place in my heart.  You're the ones who go to a little extra trouble--and expense--to read my work and that means a lot to me.

I also want you to be the first to know that LisaBarger.com is being put on hiatus and its feed, This Week in Alternative Medicine, is being moved.  The website isn't going anywhere but the RSS feed that you read thorugh your Kindle is.

For those of you who read us mainly through your Kindle, nothing will change.  The move should happen automatically and be competely finished well before the weekend is over.

For those of you who read us mainly online, though, things will change.  LisaBarger.com will cease to carry any new articles and all our new stuff will be published at www.TodayInAltMed.com, instead.  LisaBarger.com will remain in place--it just won't have any new reviews, articles or news added to it.

Again, I want to stress that for those of you who read us through a Kindle nothing should change.  And I want to thank you again for routinely placing my very small blog among the top 50 science blogs on the Kindle.  I really do appreciate your support.