Cheddar Recall: NJ Distributor Pulls Cheeses Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says Cheddar Recall: NJ Distributor Pulls Cheeses Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says
Cheddar Recall: NJ Distributor Pulls Cheeses Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says A New Jersey cheese distributor is recalling two cheddar products sold in Massachusetts due to possible listeria contamination, officials said. Abbey Specialty Foods issued the recall for 5.2-ounce blocks of its Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb cheeses, the Food and Drug Administration said. The recalled cheeses have sell-by dates of Monday, June 2. The Fairfield Township, Essex County, company said its supplier Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese reported a potential listeria contamination. There have been no reported illnesse…
Health Alert Issued For Popular Chicken Product Sold At Walmart Health Alert Issued For Popular Chicken Product Sold At Walmart
Health Alert Issued For Popular Chicken Product Sold At Walmart A public health alert has just been issued for a popular frozen chicken product. The product labeled as Chicken Curry Empanadas may contain Apple Cinnamon Empanadas, with milk, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label, according to US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  FSIS said it is issuing this alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to milk are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase. The frozen empanada products labeled …
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported Authorities have confirmed the first human death in the United States caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1.  The announcement was made by the Louisiana Department of Health on Monday, Jan. 6.  Earlier Report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US The patient, a man over 65 with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized before succumbing to the illness after exposure to a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. The Louisiana Department of Health said it has conducted a public health investigation and found no additional cases or …
'Tripledemic' Threat: COVID-19, Flu, RSV Surging This Season 'Tripledemic' Threat: COVID-19, Flu, RSV Surging This Season
'Tripledemic' Threat: Covid-19, Flu, RSV Surging This Season The United States is experiencing a rise in respiratory illnesses, commonly referred to as a “tripledemic,” involving COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Friday, Jan. 3, the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is high and continues to increase nationally, the agency said. COVID-19 cases are increasing nationwide, with the XEC variant—a mix of earlier Omicron strains—now accounting for about 45 percent of cases.  Symptoms include congestion, cough, fe…
COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms The XEC COVID-19 variant, first identified in Europe, now accounts for 45 percent of cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Click here for a new, updated story - COVID-19: Virus Levels Now Surging In These States As infections tick upward, public health experts are urging vigilance. The strain, a mix of earlier Omicron subvariants, exhibits symptoms similar to Omicron and its predecessors. These include: Congestion,  Runny nose,  Cough,  Shortness of breath,  Fever or chills,  Fatigue.  Not…
Nationwide Spike In Norovirus Cases: CDC Reports Surge In Outbreaks Nationwide Spike In Norovirus Cases: CDC Reports Surge In Outbreaks
Nationwide Spike In Norovirus Cases: CDC Reports Surge In Outbreaks A sharp increase in norovirus cases is sweeping the United States, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Often called the "stomach flu," norovirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis, resulting in symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The CDC reports 41 outbreaks in the first week of December alone, surpassing levels recorded in prior months. This spike aligns with the virus's typical winter peak but underscores the need for heightened vigilance this season. Norovirus spreads through contaminated food, surfaces, and …
Warning Issued After Nationwide Recall Of Popular Candy Bar Warning Issued After Nationwide Recall Of Popular Candy Bar
Warning Issued After Nationwide Recall Of Popular Candy Bar Federal authorities have issued a nationwide warning after the recall of a popular candy bar. Gardners Candies, based in Tyrone, PA, has voluntarily recalled its Cappuccino Meltaway Bars due to undeclared tree nuts (cashews), posing a serious risk to those with allergies. What to Know: Affected Products: 1.25-ounce packages of Cappuccino Meltaway Bars. Distribution: Sold across the country through retail stores and mail orders starting Sunday, Sept. 1. Packaging: The bars are in white plastic wrappers marked with lot #082725 and an expiration date of Aug. 27, 2025. They can also be found …
Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says
Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified mutations in the the first severe bird flu case in the US that may increase its ability to infect humans.  These mutations, found in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, play a key role in helping the virus attach to cells in the upper respiratory tract. This discovery stems from the first severe US case of H5N1, involving a Louisiana resident over 65 who had direct contact with infected backyard birds.  Earlier report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Notably, these mutations weren’t present in the bird sam…
Strange Tasting Water Has Been Plaguing Some NJ Residents — Now They Know Why Strange Tasting Water Has Been Plaguing Some NJ Residents — Now They Know Why
Strange Tasting Water Has Been Plaguing Some NJ Residents — Now They Know Why Residents served by one New Jersey American Water system have been raising their eyebrows—and their glasses—after an unusual taste and smell in their water surfaced earlier this month. New Jersey American Water has since confirmed the culprit: a potent mix of fragrance and flavor compounds stemming from a Dec. 16 leak. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) revealed that the leak came from a local repackaging facility handling essential oils, fragrances, and flavorings, impacting those served by the Raritan System in Branchburg.  The compounds, though harmless,…
Norovirus Outbreak Prompts Recall Of Oysters Sold In NJ Norovirus Outbreak Prompts Recall Of Oysters Sold In NJ
Norovirus Outbreak Prompts Recall Of Oysters Sold In NJ New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington DC residents are being urged to avoid consuming certain oysters after a recall linked to a norovirus outbreak, federal officials announced.  The contaminated oysters were sold under the brands Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi and harvested between Dec. 1 and Dec. 9, 2024, from British Columbia (BC), Canada, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The oysters, distributed by S&M Shellfish Co. of San Francisco, were shipped to retailers and restaurants across several states, including New Jersey, New York, Pe…
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Nearly 30 percent of US pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021, according to a new study in the health-policy publication Health Affairs. The research, led by University of California Berkeley assistant professor Jenny S. Guadamuz and colleagues, analyzed data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, county health statistics, and ZIP Code demographic surveys.  Of the 88,930 retail pharmacies operating in 2010, almost one-third shuttered by 2021, with those in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods disproportionately affected, Independent pharmacies were hit ha…
Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG
Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG The New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has permanently revoked the license of a Bergen County physical therapist who admitted to engaging in sexual relations with one patient and was accused of making inappropriate remarks to another, officials said. Danny O. Steffens, who practiced at facilities in New Milford and Fort Lee, voluntarily surrendered his license following complaints from two female patients, identified in filed documents as Patient #1 and Patient #2, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Thursday, Dec. 19. Steffens is prohibited from ever reappl…