Defective & Dangerous Products

• Food Contamination Sources

  Joe Saunders | November 02, 2007 7:17 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  Thanks to two University of Arizona researchers, we may now have a better understanding of how our foods become contaminated with salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7, better known as E. coli. Their research suggests that "most of the pathogens that have been collected from outbreaks came from sources such as animal husbandry operations, contaminated water and proximity of urban centers,"...

• Defunct Canadian Company Likely Source of E coli Outbreak in Beef

  Joe Saunders | October 29, 2007 7:19 PM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  The USDA is pointing its finger at a defunct Canadian company for the recent outbreak of E coli contaminated beef in the US. The company, Ranchers Beef, has been linked to E coli O157:H7 bacteria which has been linked to nearly 100 illnesses. This type of bacteria can cause diarrhea and dehydration, even death. The governmental agency has cautioned meat packing companies not to use products...

• Food Safety Issues

  Joe Saunders | October 27, 2007 10:52 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  In the last few years, we've seen a number of food recalls including peanut butter, spinach, lettuce, ice cream, and ground beef patties. These food products were either contaminated with salmonella or E coli bacteria. Recently, consumers have had to face another food safety issue dealing with the mislabeling or incorrect labelling of food products. There's been a spate of recalled foods due...

• Congressman Questions FDA About Sprint Fidelis Leads

  Joe Saunders | October 23, 2007 9:46 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has written a letter to the FDA requesting documents about their monitoring and evaluation of Medtronic's Sprint Fidelis defibrillator. The Sprint Fidelis was voluntarily recalled after Medtronic disclosed that the Sprint Fidelis leads were prone to fracture causing defective operation of the...

• 5 Orthopedic Implant Makers Receive SEC Letter

  Joe Saunders | October 22, 2007 11:11 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  Five orthopedic implant makers, including embattled Medtronic, have received letters from the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating the SEC intends to investigate claims that the companies may have made improper payments to foreign officials. The companies who've received the letters are Medtronic, Zimmer, Biomet, Smith & Nephew, and Stryker. Medtronic, known for its cardiac...

• More Food Products Recalled

  Joe Saunders | October 21, 2007 10:53 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  In the last two weeks, the FDA has issued press releases concerning food products that did not disclose ingredients that could cause harm to consumers. Lochmead Dairy has recalled half gallons of Lochmead Farms Country Fresh Chocolate Premium Ice Cream with code date June 22, 2008 because these products may contain undisclosed almonds. This past week, Shain's of Maine Ice Cream has recalled...

• Rise in Contaminated Foods Gives FDA an Opportunity

  Joe Saunders | October 16, 2007 10:47 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  While most companies don't like more federal control over their industry, the Grocery Manufacturers Associaton and the National Fisheries Institute are lobbying the FDA to get more involved in the regulation of their industries. Both trade groups want the FDA to more closely monitor and regulate foods coming in from other countries, citing the fact that food preparation processes in foreign...

• Now it's Lipstick Being Scrutinized for Lead Levels

  Joe Saunders | October 15, 2007 6:10 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  The FDA has agreed to investigate claims by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, an advocacy group, that certain lipsticks contain high levels of lead. Among the top brands testing positive for lead were:• L'Oréal Colour Riche "True Red": 0.65 ppm• L'Oréal Colour Riche "Classic Wine": 0.58 ppm• Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red": 0.56 ppm• Dior Addict "Positive Red": 0.21...

• ConAgra Foods Has More Food Contamination Issues

  Joe Saunders | October 10, 2007 12:16 PM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  Last time ConAgra was in the news it was for contaminated peanut butter. This time ConAgra is in the news because of a salmonella scare with its pot pies made in its Missouri plant. So far, there have been more than 30 food poisoning incidents reported in 37 states. Federal investigators are busy trying to determine the extent and nature of the salmonella contamination.For more information on...

• Medtronic's Heart Stent Runs Into More Problems with Safety

  Joe Saunders | October 08, 2007 4:32 AM | 0 CommentsSarasota, FL

  A new study has revealed that Medtronic's new heart stent has shown more blood clots than its rivals in comparison studies. The new device has not yet received approval for sale in the US. Use of drug coated stents to prop open occluded arteries have been popular among physicians until recently. Stents are tiny mesh tubes inserted into the artery to prop them open after they've been cleared...