FDA NEWS

Medtronic Initiates Voluntary Field Actions for Selected Heparin-Coated Products Used During Cardiopulmonary Bypass (May 7)
Medtronic, Inc. announced that it is initiating a voluntary and precautionary recall of selected products featuring the Carmeda BioActive surface. The affected devices are disposable products used during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for heart surgeries. Affected products include blood oxygenators, reservoirs, pumps, cannulae, and tubing packs.

Abbott Announces Voluntary Worldwide Recall of Two Lots of Calcilo XD Low-Calcium/Vitamin D-Free Infant Formula with Iron Powder in 14.1-Ounce (400g) Cans (May 30)
Abbott announced a voluntary worldwide recall of two lots of Calcilo XD Low-Calcium/Vitamin D-Free Infant Formula with Iron powder in 14.1-ounce cans (400g). Only 14.1-ounce (400g) cans are involved in this action. Calcilo XD is a low-calcium and vitamin D-free infant formula that is specifically designed for the nutrition support of infants and children with hypercalcemia (high calcium in blood). It is only available by special order.

Recalls and Safety Alerts: Avoid Using ReadyMED Infusion Pumps with Cubicin
In an April 4, 2008 letter, Cubist Pharmaceuticals advised healthcare professionals not to use the drug Cubicin with ReadyMED elastomeric infusion pumps manufactured by Cardinal Health. Cubicin (daptomycin for injection) is an antibiotic used to tre...

Tipu's Tiger Chai, Inc Recalls Tipus Tiger Chai Concentrate Because of a Possible Health Risk (June 17)
Tipu's Tiger Chai Inc, of Missoula, Montana is voluntarily recalling its Tipu's Tiger Chai Concentrate because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Kraft Foods Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Tree Nuts In Post LiveActive Mixed Berry Crunch Cereal (June 5)
Kraft Foods is recalling 12,553 cases of Post LiveActive Mixed Berry Crunch Cereal with the “Best When Used By” date of 17DEC2008 because a small number of boxes may contain tree nuts (almonds, pecans and/or walnuts), and no nut ingredients are declared on the label. The Post LiveActive Mixed Berry Crunch Cereal has a UPC code of 00430000238900 and comes in a 13-oz retail carton. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Radiology and Children: Extra Care Required
Image Gently, a campaign launched this year, aims to raise awareness about opportunities to lower the radiation dose during the medical imaging of children.

Red Tomato Warning Expanded Nationwide
The Food and Drug Administration is expanding its warning to consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and products containing these tomatoes.

Updated Press Release: Lake Country and LAND O LAKES Lamb Feed Voluntary Recall
The Land O'Lakes Purina Feed plant in Fremont, Neb., has initiated a limited voluntary recall of four lamb feed products, packaged in 50-pound bags, due to the potential for higher than acceptable levels of copper.

Fresca Italia, Inc., Expands Recall of Burrata Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk (June 23)
Fresca Italia is recalling Burrata, a type of cheese, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal, or diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Pet Food Products Seized at PETCO Distribution Center
Consumers who bought animal food products from PETCO in 16 states should take certain precautions