FDA NEWS

HUA XIA Food Trade USA, Inc. Recalls YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink and YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink, Because of Possible Health Risk (October 10)
HUA XIA Food Trade USA, Inc. of Flushing, NY, is recalling YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes (all codes and all lots are affected) and YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes (all codes and all lots are affected) because it may be contaminated with melamine.

FDA Seizes Contaminated Heparin from a Cincinnati Manufacturer
The five lots of Heparin Sodium Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and six lots of Heparin Lithium were seized at the FDA's request by U.S. Marshals. These products, which were manufactured from material imported from China, had been found by the agency to be contaminated with over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS), a substance that mimics heparin's anticoagulant activity.

General Mills Issues Voluntary Class One Recall Involving One Day's Production of Progresso Hearty Tomato Soup (October 31)
General Mills is voluntarily recalling a single day's production of Progresso Hearty Tomato soup because of a product labeling issue. Product produced on this date may have been mislabeled, and may contain allergens not listed on the ingredient label, specifically egg, milk, and soy.

Recalls and Safety Alerts: Serious Fungal Infections with Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel and Remicade
The manufacturers of Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Enbrel (etanercept), and Remicade (infliximab) must strengthen warnings about the risk of developing opportunistic fungal infections from these drugs. These infections have been ...

FDA Statement on Release of Bisphenol A (BPA) Subcommittee Report
The subcommittee report to the Science Board raises important questions regarding the draft safety assessment, and the FDA looks forward to the review of the subcommittee's report by the Science Board on Oct 31.

FDA Reports Nationwide Recall of Mislabeled ReliOn Insulin Syringes (November 5)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is notifying health care professionals and patients that Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien) is recalling one lot of ReliOn sterile, single-use, disposable, hypodermic syringes with permanently affixed hypodermic needles due to possible mislabeling. The use of these syringes may lead to patients receiving an overdose of as much as 2.5 times the intended dose, which may lead to hypoglycemia, serious health consequences, and even death.

Thoratec Corporation Issues Worldwide Medical Device Correction of HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System (October 24)
Thoratec Corporation is initiating a worldwide medical device correction of all serial numbers of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Systems (HM II LVAS) having Catalogue No. 1355 or 102139, which have been distributed since the beginning of clinical studies in November 2003. Over time, wear and fatigue of the percutaneous lead connecting the HeartMate II LVAS blood pump with the System Controller may result in damage that could interrupt pump function, require reoperation to replace the pump and potentially result in serious injury or death.

Lotte USA, Inc. Initiates Nationwide Recall of Koala's March Creme filled Cookies
Lotte USA, Inc., Battle Creek, MI initiated a recall of all Koalas' March Cookies on September 29, 2008 because they were produced in China and they may be contaminated with melamine. The products are packaged in a plastic overwrap.

Russell Stover Candies, Inc. Issues Hazelnut Allergy Alert for the 2 7/8 Oz Size Of Private Reserve Assorted Chocolates (October 9)
The recalled product was distributed in the following states and cities: Texas, California, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee; Southaven, Mississippi; Billings, Montana; Sparks, Nevada; and Madison Heights, Michigan. An investigation determined 29 boxes of this candy may have been purchased by consumers, and up to another 188 boxes may have reached retail store locations. All the retail stores have been contacted to have the suspected product removed from the shelves.

Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of a Limited Number of Bags of SPECIAL KITTY Gourmet Sold at Wal-Mart locations in Fifteen States due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Mars Petcare US today announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of bags of SPECIAL KITTY Gourmet Blend dry cat food sold at Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled following a positive test result indicating a potential contamination with Salmonella.