Bottled Water Recall:
Recall of one-gallon Nestlé Pure Life Purified Drinking Water sold ONLY in Shop-Rite stores in the five Northeast states of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania (ONLY the one-gallon size).
Fewer than 150 one-gallon bottles of Nestlé Pure Life Purified Water are implicated, produced in a short time-frame on May 5, 2008 between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. The product date code is printed on the shoulder of one-gallon bottles. The code is: First line...050508126WF024; Second line.... Starts with the numbers "08"
(ex: 0801BB05/2010). The product in question may contain a diluted form of a common food grade cleaning compound that results in a bitter or sour taste. This could pose a potential health concern if ingested in large quantities over an extended period of time and should not be consumed or used in preparing infant formulas or other foods or beverages. No illnesses have been reported.
To further assure consumers, Shop-Rite, as of Monday, June 23rd, has removed any remaining affected product from their stores and warehouses. Consumers who possess this product or have questions should contact the company at a toll free number 866-599-8980 available 24 hours a day. This same toll-free number is also printed on the front of all product labels for the one-gallon size.
CDC Advice to Consumers
At this time, FDA is advising U.S. consumers to limit their tomato consumption to those that are not the likely source of this outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes; grape tomatoes; tomatoes sold with the vine still attached; tomatoes grown at home; and red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes from specific sources listed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html *. Consumers should be aware that raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in many other dishes. FDA recommends that U.S. retail outlets, restaurants, and food service operators offer only fresh and fresh cut red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes and food products made from these tomatoes from specific sources listed at:http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers *. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached from any source may be offered.
Cooking Safely with Tomatoes
At this time, consumers should avoid eating or handling raw red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes unless they are from the sources listed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html*. If consumers have tomatoes in their homes and are unsure of where they were grown or harvested, they are encouraged to contact the store where they bought the tomatoes. Consumers may continue to buy cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home — all of which do not appear to be involved in the outbreak.
FDA is recommending that consumers not eat any tomatoes that could be associated with this outbreak, either raw or cooked.
Salmonella is easily killed by high temperatures. However, when a food is contaminated with Salmonella, people often do not cook it to a high enough temperature or long enough to kill the bacteria. (For example, raw chicken is commonly contaminated with Salmonella. We advise people to use a cooking thermometer to assure that they cook chicken well enough to kill the Salmonella bacteria.)
- Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes.
- Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
- Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
- Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood, and raw produce items.
- Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.
- Information on the safe handling of produce can be found at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html.
Salmonella FAQ’s
What is Salmonellosis? What are the symptoms?
Salmonellosis is an infection caused by bacteria called Salmonella. Most people infected with Salmonella develop fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 12 - 72 hours after exposure. Although illness usually lasts 4 - 7 days and most people recover without treatment, severe illness may occur that requires medical attention and hospitalization. In these patients, the Salmonella infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites. In this situation, the infection can cause death unless the patient is treated promptly with antibiotics. Infants, elderly people, and people with impaired immune systems are more likely than other people to become severely ill.
How do people get infected with Salmonella?
Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of many animals, including food animals such as cattle and poultry, wild animals, and pets. Salmonella usually are transmitted to humans by eating food contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as poultry, eggs, pork, and raw milk. However, contaminated fruits and vegetables also cause many illnesses. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella. More information about cooking temperatures and food safety may be found at http://www.fightbac.org/content/view/172/2/.
The feces of some pets, especially reptiles, can contain Salmonella without causing illness in the animal. Birds commonly carry Salmonella, and outbreaks of illness among young children given baby chicks at Easter have prompted health authorities to advise against this practice. People should always wash hands after being in contact with any animal or its environment. Adults should assure that children practice proper handwashing techniques. More information on proper handwashing may be found at http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/.
Food handlers and others can contaminate food by not washing hands with soap after handling raw poultry, eggs, or meat, or after using the bathroom.
Does Salmonella make foods taste or look different?
Most products contaminated with Salmonella do not taste or look any different than usual.
How is Salmonella infection diagnosed?
Salmonella infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. In severe illness, it can sometimes be detected in other parts of the body such as blood.
How can Salmonella infections be treated?
Salmonella infections usually resolve in 4 - 7 days and usually do not require treatment other than oral fluids. Persons with severe diarrhea may require rehydration with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin, are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines.
Are there long term consequences to a Salmonella infection?
Persons with diarrhea usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal. A small number of persons with Salmonella develop pain in their joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination. This is called Reiter's syndrome. It can last for months or years, and can lead to chronic arthritis which is difficult to treat. Antibiotic treatment does not make a difference in whether or not the person develops arthritis.
How common is salmonellosis?
In 2004, CDC estimated that there are about 1.4 million illnesses, 15,000 hospitalizations, and 400 deaths from Salmonella infection in the United States every year. Approximately 40,000 of those infections are confirmed each year by isolation of the Salmonella strain. Salmonellosis is more common in summer than in winter. Children are the more likely than adults to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is about five times higher than the rate in all other persons. Young children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are the most likely to have severe infections.
How can tomatoes become contaminated with Salmonella?
Salmonella in the environment can contaminate tomatoes. Salmonella can be found in the feces of many animals (e.g., food animals, reptiles, amphibians, birds) and in some habitats, such as ponds and drainage ditches. Although the exact mechanism by which tomatoes become contaminated is not known, experimental evidence suggests certain possibilities. In experimental studies, the insides of whole tomatoes can be contaminated in at least two ways:
(1) if tomatoes are immersed in water that is colder than the tomato, water can enter through the stem scar; if the water is contaminated, Salmonella can be carried in;
(2) if contaminated water touches the stem or flower of a tomato plant, the growing tomato can be contaminated. Contamination on the tomato surface also can be transferred to the inside when it is cut. Food handlers infected with Salmonella who have not washed their hands may also contaminate tomatoes during preparation. If a cut tomato that is contaminated with Salmonella is kept out of the refrigerator, the bacteria can multiply to much higher numbers.
What is the CDC's current advice about eating tomatoes?
At this time, consumers should avoid eating or handling raw red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes unless they are from the sources listed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html. If consumers have tomatoes in their homes and are unsure of where they were grown or harvested, they are encouraged to contact the store where they bought the tomatoes. Consumers may continue to buy cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home — all of which do not appear to be involved in the outbreak.
Is it OK for consumers to eat tomatoes that might be associated with this outbreak if they cook them?
FDA is recommending that consumers not eat any tomatoes that could be associated with this outbreak, either raw or cooked. Salmonella is easily killed by high temperatures. However, when a food is contaminated with Salmonella, people often do not cook it to a high enough temperature or long enough to kill the bacteria. (For example, raw chicken is commonly contaminated with Salmonella. We advise people to use a cooking thermometer to assure that they cook chicken well enough to kill the Salmonella bacteria.)
Are tomatoes from farmers' markets included in this outbreak?
Some farmers' markets get their tomatoes from sources other than local farms. These other sources may include the same ones that provided the tomatoes implicated in the Salmonella outbreak. Consumers should ask retailers at farmers' markets about the sources of their tomatoes.
During this outbreak, is it safer to eat locally grown tomatoes?
Consumers should confirm with their retailers that the source of "locally grown" tomatoes is one of the sources listed on the FDA list located at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html.
Where can consumers find out more about how to reduce their risk of becoming sick from eating or handling tomatoes?
May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become porous and therefore weak and more likely to break.
While common in older women, anyone can develop osteoporosis. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 50% of all women over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis and 25% of men will do the same. Prevention throughout life is key to preventing this disease.
Preventative steps include having an diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D, exercising (weight-bearing), no smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.
Risk factors for developing osteoporosis include: growing older, being small and thin, going through early menopause, having had an eating disorder, and having a family history of osteoporosis. Smokers are more prone to developing osteoporosis since smoking lowers estrogen and estrogen helps to build strong bones. People who take certain medications, such as steroids, are also more prone to osteoporosis.
Since osteoporosis is mostly a silent disease, people often don’t know they have it until they break a bone. People should discuss the need for testing with their medical professional since the bone density test is helpful in detecting this disease.
For further information, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation. To request a free copy of Osteoporosis: Can It Happen to You? and Beat the Break, please call the Bergen County Health Promotion Request Line at 201-634-2704.