Latest news with #contamination
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
FDA issues urgent recall for fruit contaminated with toxin linked to autism and cancer
An urgent recall has been issued for a fruit product contaminated with a toxin linked to autism. New York-based W.W. Industrial Group, which is a manufacturer and exporter of canned goods, has recalled its Parashore Pear Slices in juice in 15 oz cans, because they have the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead and cadmium. The product was distributed to Grocery Outlet stores in multiple states across the US. Although it is unclear how the product became contaminated, canned products can contain lead and cadmium due to migration from the can's materials, especially if the coating is damaged or corroded. Some research has linked prolonged exposure to these metals with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Beyond neurological effects, exposure to heavy metals has also been associated with cancer, kidney disease, birth defects, and cardiovascular dysfunction. The FDA notes that symptoms of lead and cadmium poisoning can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children and a developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of heavy metals that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. Health experts add: 'A child with heavy metal poisoning may not look or act sick. 'Heavy metal poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.' Lead can be present in the can's coating or solder, and cadmium can also leach from the can's materials, particularly under acidic conditions or when the packaging is damaged. In the US, the FDA has determined that there is no safe level of lead exposure in adults or children. The recalled pear slices was distributed to grocery stores across the US. No illnesses have been reported in relation to the recall. The recalled product is packaged in a 15oz can and labeled as Parashore Pear Slices in Juice, 15oz (425 g) with the universal product code (UPC) #704817164237. The specific lot found positive for heavy metals was 3700/01172 6122J, with the production date listed as 02/19/2024 and the use by date of 2/19/2027. The heavy metal contamination was discovered by the Maryland Department of Health, which conducts routine food sampling as part of its efforts to ensure food safety and protect public health. Many children with lead poisoning have no symptoms but even low levels of the metal in their blood can lead to learning and behavior problems, such as trouble paying attention. Numerous studies have shown that children with ASD exhibit these, as well as other, behaviors. Additionally, lead exposure in adults can also lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, increase the risk of cancer, reduce fertility and neurological issues. Studies have shown that lead exposure either through paint, dust or food can increase risk of lung, kidney and brain cancer in those exposed - particularly workers. Following the discovery, W.W. Industrial Group has recalled the products and is continuing an investigation to determine the cause. Consumers who have purchased the pear slices should not consume the products and are urged to discard in the trash or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 516-676-9188 Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm EST.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
BP Says Possible Contamination of Some Azeri Oil Identified
BP Plc said possible contamination has been identified relating to crude shipments from Azerbaijan that get delivered to global markets from a port in Turkey. Large amounts of Azerbaijan's crude gets transported to the port of Ceyhan in Turkey via the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan line. BP operates the company, BTC Co, that built the conduit.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ice cream bars sold in 23 states recalled over listeria risk
More than 100,000 ice cream bars produced by Rich's Ice Cream have been recalled over concerns of potential listeria contamination. The Food and Drug Administration Authority (FDA) announced July 17 that Florida-based Rich's Ice Cream Co. is recalling select products due to potential listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall, which impacts lot number 24351 through lot 25156 was initiated on June 27, according to the FDA notice and is classified as Class II with a total of 110,292 cases potentially affected. A Class II recall is "a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," the FDA website states. USA TODAY was unable to reach Rich's Ice Cream for comment on July 21. Which Rich Ice Cream products are included in the recall? See list The affected products, sold in multiple states, according to the FDA advisory, include: Chocolate Crunch Cake Bars Strawberry Shortcake Bars, Rich Bars Crumbled Cookie Bars Orange Cream Bars Fudge Frenzy Bars Cotton Candy Twirl Bars Savagely Sour Blue Raspberry Bars Savagely Sour Cherry Bars Cool Watermelon Bars The frozen treats were individually packaged in plastic bags and sold in master cases. More recalls: Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar among over 738,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls Which states are impacted by the recall? See list The affected products were distributed across 23 states, according to the FDA notice, including: Arizona Alabama Ohio California Pennsylvania Georgia New York New Jersey Florida Texas Virginia Illinois Missouri Massachusetts Tennessee Iowa South Carolina Oregon Oklahoma Nevada Louisiana Wisconsin Nebraska They were also sold in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. What should you do if you purchased the affected products? FDA and Rich Ice Cream Co. have not yet specified what remedies are available for customers. Rich Ice Cream Co. did not immediately reply to USA TODAY's request for a statement and more information on the recall. Customers, meanwhile, can visit Rich Ice Cream Co.'s website for more information and to contact the company. Listeria poisoning symptoms Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women. Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the CDC. The agency estimates that the disease impacts 1,600 Americans each year, with approximately 260 people dying from those infections. Symptoms include, per the CDC: Fever Muscle aches Headache Stiff neck Confusion Loss of balance Convulsions Diarrhea Other gastrointestinal symptoms Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants Death People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ice cream recall: Rich's Ice Cream recalls more than 100,000 bars
Health Line
4 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Arsenic in Rice: Should You Be Concerned?
Arsenic contamination is a serious concern for the millions of people who rely on rice as their staple food. Young children are also at risk if rice-based products make up a large part of their diet. Arsenic is one of the world's most toxic elements. Throughout history, it has been infiltrating the food chain and finding its way into our foods. However, this problem is now getting worse, as widespread pollution is raising the levels of arsenic in foods, posing a serious health risk. Recently, studies have detected high levels of arsenic in rice. This is a major concern, since rice is a staple food for a large part of the world's population. Should you be worried? Let's have a look. What is arsenic? Arsenic is a toxic trace element, denoted by the symbol As. It is not usually found on its own. Rather, it is bound with other elements in chemical compounds. These compounds can be divided into two broad categories: Organic arsenic: mainly found in plant and animal tissues. Inorganic arsenic: found in rocks and soil or dissolved in water. This is the more toxic form. Both forms are naturally present in the environment, but their levels have been increasing due to pollution. For a number of reasons, rice may accumulate a significant amount of inorganic arsenic (the more toxic form) from the environment. Dietary sources of arsenic Arsenic is found in nearly all foods and drinks, but is usually only found in small amounts. In contrast, relatively high levels are found in: Contaminated drinking water: Millions of people around the world are exposed to drinking water that contains high amounts of inorganic arsenic. This is most common in South America and Asia. Seafood: Fish, shrimp, shellfish and other seafood may contain significant amounts of organic arsenic, the less toxic form. However, mussels and certain types of seaweed may contain inorganic arsenic as well. Rice and rice-based foods: Rice accumulates more arsenic than other food crops, particularly inorganic arsenic, which is the more toxic form. High levels of inorganic arsenic have been detected in many rice-based products, such as: Rice milk. Rice bran. Rice-based breakfast cereals. Rice cereal (baby rice). Rice crackers. Brown rice syrup. Cereal bars containing rice and/or brown rice syrup. Why is arsenic found in rice? Arsenic naturally occurs in water, soil, and rocks, but its levels may be higher in some areas than others. It readily enters the food chain and may accumulate in significant amounts in both animals and plants, some of which are eaten by humans. As a result of human activities, arsenic pollution has been rising. The main sources of arsenic pollution include certain pesticides and herbicides, wood preservatives, phosphate fertilizers, industrial waste, mining activities, coal burning and smelting. Arsenic often drains into groundwater, which is heavily polluted in certain parts of the world. From groundwater, arsenic finds its way into wells and other water supplies that may be used for crop irrigation and cooking. Paddy rice is particularly susceptible to arsenic contamination, for three reasons: It is grown in flooded fields (paddy fields) that require high quantities of irrigation water. In many areas, this irrigation water is contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic may accumulate in the soil of paddy fields, worsening the problem. Rice absorbs more arsenic from water and soil compared to other common food crops. Using contaminated water for cooking is another concern, because rice grains easily absorb arsenic from cooking water when they are boiled. Health effects of arsenic High doses of arsenic are acutely toxic, causing various adverse symptoms and even death. Dietary arsenic is generally present in low amounts and does not cause any immediate symptoms of poisoning. However, long-term ingestion of inorganic arsenic may cause high blood pressure (hypertension) and atherosclerosis and increase the risk of chronic diseases. These include: Various types of cancer. Narrowing or blockage of blood vessels (vascular disease). Heart disease. Type 2 diabetes. In addition, arsenic is toxic to nerve cells and may affect brain function. In children and teenagers, arsenic exposure has been associated with: Impaired concentration, learning, and memory. Reduced intelligence and social competence. Some of these impairments may have taken place before birth. Several studies indicate that high arsenic intake during pregnancy has adverse effects on the fetus, increasing the risk of birth defects and hindering development. Is arsenic in rice a concern? Yes. There is no doubt about it, arsenic in rice is a problem. This may pose a health risk to those who eat rice every day in considerable amounts. This mainly applies to people with rice-based diets. Other groups who may eat a lot of rice products include young children and those on a milk-free or gluten-free diet. Rice-based infant formulas, rice crackers, pudding and rice milk sometimes make up a large portion of these diets. Young children are especially vulnerable because of their small body size. Therefore, feeding them rice cereals every day may not be such a good idea. Of additional concern is brown rice syrup, a rice-derived sweetener that may be high in arsenic. It is often used in baby formulas. Of course, not all rice contains high arsenic levels, but determining the arsenic content of a particular rice product may be difficult (or impossible) without actually measuring it in a lab. How to reduce arsenic in rice The arsenic content of rice can be reduced by washing and cooking the rice with clean water that is low in arsenic. This is effective for both white and brown rice. In a 2021 study, parboiling, or boiling rice for 5 minutes, was shown to remove 53% of the arsenic in brown rice and 73% in white rice. However, if the cooking water is high in arsenic, it may have the opposite effect and raise the arsenic content significantly. The following tips should help reduce the arsenic content of your rice: Use plenty of water when cooking. Wash the rice before cooking. This method may remove 10% to 40% of the arsenic, though this only works with white rice. Brown rice contains higher amounts of arsenic than white rice. If you eat large amounts of rice, the white variety may be a better choice. Choose aromatic rice, such as basmati or jasmine. The last and most important piece of advice concerns your diet as a whole. Make sure to diversify your diet by eating many different foods. Your diet should never be dominated by one type of food. Not only does this ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need, it also prevents you from getting too much of one thing.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Havelock residents told to boil water as council seeks solution
Photo: AFP The Marlborough District Council is considering temporarily treating Havelock's water supply with ultraviolet light after the regulator issued a boil water notice. Taumata Arowai issued the notice last Wednesday as a precautionary measure due to the risk of parasitic contamination. A new treatment plant was due to be completed by 2028, however, if a temporary solution was found the notice could be lifted well ahead of that date. Council assets and services manager Richard Coningham said the risk of contamination in Havelock had not changed, but the drinking water requirements in the Water Services Act 2021 were more stringent. Water supplies in New Zealand required a multi-barrier approach - a range of processes, procedures and tools to protect and treat water. "Although chlorine is used in the Havelock supply, it doesn't protect from the risk - however small - of protozoa getting into the supply," Coningham said. Protozoa are single-celled parasites, like cryptosporidium and giardia, that make can make people sick. They can be removed from water with filters or inactivated using UV light so they do not pose a health risk. People in Havelock were being told to boil water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and washing food. Coningham said the council was working through a number of options and planned to have a solution by the end of the week. The new $14 million water treatment plant planned for Havelock would use a multi-barrier approach, including filtration, chlorine and UV. "The plant upgrade has been planned for some years and budget is set aside in the council's Long Term Plan. However it has been difficult to secure a new site, with few land options available in the town or nearby," Coningham said. The council had now found a site and was planning and designing a new treatment plant, for completion in early 2028. Land purchase negotiations were in the final stages and a new road would be built to provide access. Construction tendering would follow.
