Recall Archives

Boar’s Head factories in violation for ‘mold, insects, blood’: USDA

January 14, 2025

Newly released inspection reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) show unsanitary conditions at several Boar’s Head factories across the U.S. Multiple news outlets, including the Associated Press, pushed the USDA to release inspection records from Boar’s Head plants in Indiana, Arkansas, Virginia and Michigan.

According to the reports, inspectors found mold, insects, puddles of blood and trash in areas where workers prepared food. Some issues date back six years, with the most recent violation occurring in 2024.

Three of the factories revealed similar sanitation issues. They include a plant in Jarratt, Virginia, linked to a listeria outbreak that killed 10 people and sickened dozens more in September 2024.

The outbreak has been tied to liverwurst produced at the Jarratt facility. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released on Friday, Jan. 10, said meat residue, mold and drippings from the ceilings contributed to the spread of listeria.

A recall has been issued for more than 7 million pounds of meat nationwide, but officials say less than half of it has been recovered so far.

Boar’s Head acknowledged the violations, saying the findings contradict the company’s high standards. The company also said it is hiring a food safety manager and continues to work closely with the USDA.

Republican lawmakers have blamed the USDA for failing to hold Boar’s Head accountable despite repeated safety violations. In a statement, they said, “These reports make clear that there is a culture of noncompliance of critical safety and sanitary protocols.”

In the report, USDA officials said they are tightening oversight with updated training and increased inspections to ensure factories comply with safety standards.

Multiple people impacted by the listeria outbreak have filed lawsuits. The Department of Justice is now investigating whether criminal charges will arise.

Tesla recalls nearly 700,000 vehicles due tire pressure warning issue

December 20, 2024

Tesla, the auto manufacturer, is now recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles due to an issue with its low tire pressure warning system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Thursday, Dec. 19, the recall involves certain 2024 Cybertrucks, 2017-2025 Model 3 vehicles, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles.

The agency notes, the issue involves the tire pressure monitoring system failing to alert drivers of low tire pressure. Driving with under-inflated tires is known to increase the risk of crashes.

Tesla announced it is deploying a free software update to fix the issue. The letters to owners of impacted vehicles are expected to be mailed out by Feb. 15, 2025.

The Elon Musk-company has been plagued by recalls throughout 2024.

For instance, its Cybertruck is now on its seventh recall this year. Last month, a Cybertruck recall impacted around 2,400 vehicles.

Furthermore, this past summer, Tesla recalled around 1.8 million vehicles because of a hood problem, according to the NHTSA.

Additionally, in February of this year, the automaker recalled 2.2 million vehicles in the U.S. because some warning lights on the driver’s dashboard were too small.

FDA warns of men’s supplements tainted with prescription drugs

December 16, 2024

The Food and Drug Administration has a warning for anyone who uses male performance supplements. The supplements, which claim to improve strength and energy and help sexual performance, are often labeled as “all natural,” but the FDA said many of them could have the active ingredients of prescription drugs in them.

According to its warning, the FDA found undeclared ingredients in many of these supplements. These ingredients ranged from the active ingredients in prescription erectile dysfunction medications to pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories and even diabetes medications.

Doctors say these ingredients can interfere with other medications, especially nitrate medications for heart disease. They can also hide early signs of heart disease because erectile dysfunction often suggests an increased risk for coronary artery disease.

The FDA said because it doesn’t approve dietary supplements to be sold and marketed in the U.S., it doesn’t regularly test and validate manufacturers’ claims about what’s in them. While the FDA can send warning letters to supplement makers, it’s up to the companies to issue recalls.

Stanley recalls 2.6 million mugs after burn injuries from faulty lids

December 12, 2024

The popular mug and water bottle brand Stanley issued a recall Thursday, Dec. 12, on 2.6 million of its steel cups following reports of burn injuries. The recall includes all Stanley Switchback and Trigger Action Travel Mugs sold between June 2016 and December 2024.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the mugs can shrink when exposed to heat or pressure, which causes the lids to come off unexpectedly.

Ninety-one people reported that the mugs’ lids detached during use, leading to 38 burn injuries worldwide –– two of which happened in the United States.

Stanley is urging customers to contact the company using a link it provided on social media to get a free replacement lid.

“At Stanley 1913 we are committed to constant improvement and are focused on creating quality products that are built for life,” the company said in a statement.

Stanley cups have become a viral sensation over the last few years, resulting in massive crowds lining up at stores for limited-edition releases. Most notable are variations on its 40-ounce Quencher Cup with a straw and handle, which is not included in the recall.

Calif issues statewide recall of raw milk after H5N1 found in retail samples

December 5, 2024

The latest hotspot for the bird flu in the United States, California, announced on Tuesday, Dec. 3, that it is expanding a recall of raw milk products to cover the entire state. The voluntary recall comes after recent tests reportedly detected H5N1 in two more samples from the nation’s largest raw milk dairy, Raw Farm, based out of Fresno, California.

The California Health Department says the products include all milk and cream from Raw Farm. The company’s owner estimates the company produces 70,000 gallons of milk weekly from more than 1,700 cows.

California health officials say they put the company’s operation under quarantine. They’ve also halted any distribution of all of its products, including cheeses and butter, made on or after Nov. 27.

Last month, the state issued two voluntary batch-specific recalls for raw milk produced by Raw Farm. The recall came after bird flu was discovered at the company’s bottling and retail sites.

The California Health Department urges anyone working with raw milk or potentially infected cows to wear protective gear.

The Golden State is the epicenter of the avian flu. California has reportedly 31 of the nation’s 57 confirmed cases of bird flu. The state is also home to 500 of the United States’ more than 700 infected dairy herds.

So far, no human cases have been linked to raw milk consumption in California. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that people avoid drinking raw milk due to the risk of bird flu and other illnesses associated with its consumption.

Health officials also warn pet owners not to feed their animals Raw Farm products, citing cases of cats on farms with infected cows developing brain damage and some dying after drinking contaminated raw milk.

The FDA maintains that pasteurized milk is still safe to drink as it says the pasteurization process kills the virus.

Lawsuit over E. coli outbreak draws attention to carrot producers

November 22, 2024

A Georgia woman is suing Grimmway Farms after suffering from an E. coli infection linked to contaminated organic carrots. The outbreak has sickened at least 39 people across 18 states and claimed one life.

The 40-year-old plaintiff spent three days hospitalized after consuming Bunny Luv carrots, one of several recalled brands distributed by Grimmway Farms.

Her lawsuit, filed in California, seeks compensation for medical expenses and the physical and emotional suffering she endured.

The Food and Drug Administration is now warning consumers not to eat or serve multiple brands of bagged organic whole and baby carrots. — Getty Images

Her attorney, specializing in foodborne illness cases, said at least six additional clients are preparing lawsuits, with more expected. The outbreak has been traced to Grimmway Farms, a dominant player in the carrot industry, which controls over 80% of the American fresh carrot supply alongside rival Bolthouse Farms.

Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms operate in California’s arid Cuyama Valley, where residents face water scarcity and contamination issues.

Critics argue that the companies’ high water usage, combined with deep well drilling, has contributed to rising levels of boron and arsenic in the local water supply.

Grimmway Farms stated that none of the recalled carrots tested positive for E. coli and that it is cooperating with health officials to review its farming and processing practices. Meanwhile, the fresh carrot market has surged into a $1.4 billion industry, with prices climbing 40% since 2019.

They’re dangerous, even deadly. So why are baby walkers still legal?

October 11, 2024

Sit-in baby walkers have been banned in Canada for two decades, but they are still one of the most popular baby items in the United States despite renewed calls for a ban on them. The walkers are linked to thousands of injuries every year and were linked to at least eight deaths between 2004 and 2008.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for their ban since 2004 to no avail. Safety standards were tightened in 2010 and again in 2022 to prevent stair falls and tip-overs. However, almost 2,500 injuries were reported each year from 2021 to 2023.

Even though walker sales dropped by about 350,000 over the last decade, the AAP says that while stair falls may have been reduced, head and neck injuries are still common. There are also other risks like children inadvertently rolling into pools or being burned or poisoned because reaching high objects is easier in a walker.

Still, despite repeated recalls, updated safety standards and warnings from experts, baby walkers continue to be sold all over the U.S. to parents who do not know all of the risks.

Consumer Reports, a nonprofit dedicated to product testing, asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission if it would consider a ban on baby walkers.

“Staff constantly review incident data with a view toward ensuring that standards continue to address product hazards,” the organization said. “To the extent that staff recommend additional improvements to the mandatory standard, the Commission will consider how best to act on those recommendations.”

Boar’s Head closes Virginia plant after deadly listeria outbreak

September 13, 2024

Boar’s Head announced Friday, Sept. 13, it will permanently close its Jarratt, Virginia, plant, where a deadly listeria outbreak originated. The outbreak hospitalized 57 people across 18 states and resulted in nine deaths.

The company traced the contamination to liverwurst produced at the facility and has permanently discontinued the product.

Boar’s Head said it will also implement a companywide food safety program, appoint a new food safety officer, and form a food safety council made up of independent industry experts, including former USDA and FDA officials.

USDA inspections of the Jarratt plant since 2022 reported mold, insects, and other unsanitary conditions. Despite warnings and corrective action requests, the issues persisted, leading to the plant’s indefinite closure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to advise consumers to check for recalled products with “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” on the label.

High levels of lead found in a dozen brands of spices

September 13, 2024

Fall is here and that means pumpkin spiced everything, but there’s a new warning about some of the most popular seasonal spices. Consumer Reports found high levels of lead in cinnamon and other spice powders from 12 different brands: Paras, EGN, Mimi’s Products, Bowl & Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods, Three Rivers, Yu Yee Brand, BaiLiFeng, Spicy King, Badia and Deep.

The ground cinnamon and multi-spice powders Consumer Reports tested showed lead levels above one part per million. In New York specifically, that’s the level where a product should be recalled – but, in general, these products should be avoided.

The Food and Drug Administration does not have any limits on the amount of lead allowed in foods, except in certain cases, but it maintains there is no safe level. The agency said there is no way to completely prevent lead from entering the food supply, but companies have a responsibility to reduce levels by changing agriculture or manufacturing processes.

Consumer Reports said just a quarter teaspoon of the spices it tested contains more lead than anyone should ingest in a day.

Perdue recalls over 167,000 pounds of chicken products | What you need to know

August 19, 2024

Perdue Farms has issued a recall for over 167,000 pounds of its frozen chicken products. The voluntary recall comes after a foreign material — identified as a thin strand of metal wire — was found in some packages.

“We determined the material to be a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process,” said Jeff Shaw, senior vice president of food safety and quality for Perdue. “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily recall all of these packages of products.”

The impacted products are the Perdue Simply Smart Organic gluten-free breaded chicken breast nuggets, the breaded chicken breast tenders, and the Butcher Box organic free fully frozen-cooked breast chicken nuggets. All have a “best-if-used-by date” of March 23, 2025.

Perdue said no illness or injury associated with the products have been reported. Anyone with these packages in your home is told to not consume the product, and contact Perdue Foods at 866-866-3703 for a full refund of your purchase.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you have additional concerns, please contact Perdue or visit the USDA website,” Perdue said.