Latest news with #healthsafety
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
If these items are in your medicine cabinet, it's time to throw them away. Here's how to do it safely.
Here's your friendly reminder not to overlook your medicine cabinet in your cleaning routine. Just like food, medications and supplements can expire, meaning the products hiding out in your home may not be as safe or effective as you think. "It's easy for expired medication to go unnoticed because people aren't always in the habit of proactively checking their medication's expiration dates," Stacia Woodcock, pharmacist and pharmacy editor at health care company GoodRx, told CBS News. "Ultimately it doesn't matter when you do your check-in as long as you do it regularly." Does expired medicine still work? Woodcock doesn't recommend taking medication after it's expired. "Expiration dates indicate how long a medication is guaranteed to do what it's designed to do safely. And they aren't arbitrary — expiration dates are determined through clinical studies to help ensure medication safety," she said. After an expiration date, medications can become less potent or even contaminated with bacteria. This could become dangerous in certain situations, Woodcock explained. For example, if someone has an asthma attack, taking an expired medication could prevent them from getting an effective dose. "That's why it's much better to proactively review your medications and make sure they're always safe and up-to-date," she said. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agrees taking expired medications carries certain health risks, the agency also recognizes, in some cases, "testing has shown that certain properly stored medical products can be used beyond their labeled expiration date if they retain their stability." Some research has also shown certain medications can still be safe to take even if the potency has decreased. "It's true the effectiveness of a drug may decrease over time, but much of the original potency still remains even a decade after the expiration date," a 2019 study noted, adding there are some exceptions including insulin, liquid antibiotics and nitroglycerin, which is often used for chest pain. The Cleveland Clinic suggests keeping a few things in mind if you are considering taking an expired medication, including the type of drug. "Taking some expired ibuprofen for a headache is probably OK. But using expired insulin for diabetes or nitroglycerin for angina is a different story," the clinic says. The format of the drug is also important since liquid medications like eye drops, ear drops and antibiotics tend to grow bacteria more easily than solid pills, the clinic adds. And, the date of expiration should also considered. "Medicine that expired last week is different from one that expired months ago. The longer it's been expired, the more likely it isn't any good," the clinic says. For serious health conditions and prescription drugs, it's best to ask your health care provider for guidance. Where should you store medication? To keep medication in the best shape, store them somewhere cool and dry. "Contrary to the name, the bathroom medicine cabinet is actually a terrible place to keep medications," Woodcock said. "A kitchen cabinet or pantry is a much better option." If they aren't stored properly, medications can go bad before their expiration date, Woodcock warned. "So if the color, texture, or smell seems off, it's best not to take it," she said. "I also recommend storing medications out of reach from children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion." Can you use expired sunscreen? Sunscreen, a skin protection staple, also shouldn't be used after its expiration. While you may not consider it a medicine, it's important to dispose of it after the date listed due to effectiveness, according to the FDA. The FDA requires sunscreens to remain at its original strength for at least three years. So, if a sunscreen product doesn't have an expiration date, consider it expired three years after purchase. For storage, the FDA also recommends not exposing sunscreen containers to direct sun. Can you flush expired medications? "The best way to dispose of expired or unwanted medication is at a medication-take-back location," Woodcock said, adding many pharmacies and health care facilities have drop boxes for expired meds. Some medication can also be flushed down the toilet, but only if it's on the FDA's flush list, Woodcock added. "If you don't have a take-back location nearby, you can dispose of your medication in your household garbage. But you should remove it from the bottle and mix it with coffee grounds or kitty litter," she said, which also follows the FDA's guidance on disposal. "And be sure to remove any labels with personal information too." Medicine cabinet essentials If you need to restock your first aid after your cleaning spree, Woodcock suggested a few essentials to have on hand at home: First aid kit: This includes things like bandages, ice packs, antibiotic ointment and an ace bandage, which Woodcock said are "key items to have on hand." Back-up supplies: "If you're living with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, severe allergies, diabetes or epilepsy, prioritize replenishing the meds you would need in an emergency situation, like inhalers, glucose tablets or epipens," she added. Other essentials: Over-the-counter pain reliever and basic cough and cold products can also be helpful to have on hand, she said.
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah: Man caught selling tap water as Zamzam at a premium price
Authorities in Sharjah have apprehended an individual who converted a residential property into an illegal water bottling facility, selling ordinary tank water as Zamzam water. After routine inspections raised suspicions, the Sharjah City Municipality, in coordination with its Control and Inspection Department and the Health Control and Safety Department, conducted the operation. Authorities observed vehicles loading bottled water from a house, prompting a raid on the premises. During the raid, officials caught the person inside the premises. They seized cartons and plastic bottles labelled as Zamzam water, which were being filled under unhygienic conditions and promoted through social media. They sold the water at a premium price. The Sharjah Municipality immediately initiated legal and administrative procedures. Obaid Al Teneiji, Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, emphasised that the municipality works continuously to monitor negative behaviours that affect community health, taking legal measures against anyone attempting to defraud people through illegitimate means. During inspection, financial invoices were found for RT Mineral Water Trading Company, a licenced company owned by the apprehended individual. He was exploiting the company to defraud people and issue invoices in the licensed company's name. The municipality contacted the Department of Economic Development, which closed the establishment, and coordinated with Sharjah Police to refer the person for investigation. The inspection teams confiscated all seized goods and closed the house according to established procedures. Sharjah Municipality urges the public not to deal with unlicensed food establishments or purchase products through social media without verifying their source. For any observations or reports, contact the call center at 993.
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Company fined $10K in E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares in 2023
Company fined $10K in E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares in 2023 The daycare company at the centre of Alberta's largest-ever E. coli outbreak has been fined—but for a bylaw infraction and not for the outbreak itself.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
May grocery stores inspection scores
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture conducts retail food inspections every six to 18 months. Stores that prepare and cook fresh foods are inspected more often. Here is a look at the scores for Memphis area stores for the month of May. Kroger7615 Highway 70, BartlettScore: 72Violations include: The hand sink located in the deli department was observed to be used as storage (boxes stored in the hand sink). Misters were observed with white organic matter present. The meat saw was observed with brown food particles and white fuzz present, stored in the meat room at a temperature of 54°F. There was no date-marking system in place for the rotisserie chickens stored in the deli walk-in report Kroger Food & Pharmacy5995 Stage Rd, BartlettScore: 72Violations include: Ready-to-eat food items (cut pineapples, smoked meats) were observed stored in bags with ground beef and raw eggs. The meat band saw was observed with dried, brown food particles (shown to the PIC). The meat cutting room temperature was between 53°F/55°F. There was no date marking present on prepared and repackaged shrimp stored in the seafood walk-in report Supreme Produce @ Kroger3685 South Houston Levee Road, ColliervilleScore: 74Violations include: The person in charge is not following through with their managerial duties by ensuring proper sanitation practices are being followed. Using a state-issued and calibrated probe thermometer, several salads on top of other salads were between 46 to 49 degrees: Above the safe cold holding temperature of 41 degrees. PIC stated salads were placed in the retail cooler on Monday or Tuesday; today's inspection occurred on Wednesday. Firm is re-using single-service containers that had food that did not report Walmart8445 Highway 51 N, MillingtonScore: 79Violations include: Raw chicken stored on the same rack with raw pork. Raw beef stored under raw chicken. Pulled pork sandwiches probed at 107 degrees ( all disposed). Hand sink in ware wash area in the deli not working properly, will not come on /another hand sink with distance is report Kroger3685 Houston Levee Rd, ColliervilleScore: 79Violations include: 1) There was an Ecolab foaming station observed blocking the hand sink located in the seafood department. 2) Boxes of peanuts were observed stored directly in front of the hand sink located in the produce room. Misters directly over raw broccoli were observed with pink organic matter present. Packages of thawed, cut salmon were observed in the seafood walk-in cooler without a date marking system in report Kroger2835 Kirby Parkway, MemphisScore: 80Violations include: Food debris observed on the end weight and carriage of one of the deli slicers. The hot holding table near the self-checkout was scanned with an infrared thermometer at 101 degrees. Prepared chicken inside this hot holding unit was probed with a state-issued and calibrated thermometer, with rotisserie chickens at 120 and 130 degrees and fried chicken at 116 report Sam's Club8480 Highway 64, BartlettScore: 82Violations included: Rotisserie Prep Area-Dirty full size sheet tray blocking hand sink basin. When tray was moved, dough scrapper was inside sink basin. Hand sinks must be accessible at all times and are used to only wash hands. E-Shopping Cooler — Raw chicken stored on shelf directly above ready-to-eat/drink milk and lettuce. Raw Eggs stored directly on top of ready-to-eat report Gordin's Foods & Butcher Shoppe3226 N ThomasScore: 86Violations included: Meat trays have excessive residue present in the walk-in cooler. The meat saw and meat grinder observed build up in a color of yellow, white and black. The equipment needs to be thoroughly cleaned daily. Several food items in the coolers temperature observed 43F and above, many food items that state keep frozen were observed thawing and losing temperature from the frozen state. Full report Walmart577 Germantown Pkwy, CordovaScore: 87Violations included: Marconi and cheese and beans in the warmer did not meet the required temperature of at least 135°F or above. Several packs of deli meat that did not have expiration date present. Vent guards in the produce department need report Kroger Food & Pharmacy6660 Poplar Avenue, MemphisScore: 88Violations Included: The seafood department did not have the shell stock in order or a record of at 90 days of recorded tags. The ice machine in the seafood department has black organic matter at the chute of the ice machine. The ice machine in the seafood department has black organic matter at the chute of the ice machine. The meat slicer in the meat prep room has old, crusted meat residue present on the report Kroger Food & Pharmacy1675 N Germantown Pkwy, CordovaFull report Sprouts576 S Perkins Rd, Memphis Full report Walmart Neighborhood Market6520 Memphis-Arlington Rd, BartlettFull report Supreme Produce @ Kroger 6660 Poplar Avenue, MemphisFull report Target7989 US Highway 64, MemphisFull report Adam Beverage Barn2321 N Houston LeveeFull report To look up the inspection history of a grocery or food retail store in Tennessee, click right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Khaleej Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Man over 60 airlifted from RAK mountains after heat-related medical emergency
A man over the age of 60 was airlifted from Ras Al Khaimah mountains on Saturday, May 24, after suffering from a medical emergency linked to exhaustion and extreme heat. The man was reported to be experiencing severe constipation due to the intense conditions. Once the alert was raised, authorities swiftly pinpointed his remote location and deployed a search and rescue aircraft to evacuate him. He was transported to a state hospital for urgent medical treatment. The medical evacuation was a coordinated effort between the National Guard, Ras Al Khaimah Police, and the National Center for Search and Rescue. Watch the video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ù�Ù�ادة اÙ�Øرس اÙ�Ù�Ø·Ù�Ù� (@ Authorities called on the public — especially visitors to mountainous areas — to adhere to public safety guidelines and take preventive measures to avoid health emergencies in challenging terrain. The National Guard reminded residents and visitors to call the Search and Rescue emergency hotline (995) to report any incidents requiring immediate assistance.
