The investigation into the massive peanut butter salmonella case continues and now a federal probe of the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has been called for by government officials, reported USA Today.

The probe will look into possible criminal violations related to the salmonella outbreak that has caused many hundreds of illnesses nationwide and in Canada and which is linked to eight deaths.  On Tuesday, government officials accused PCA—the sole firm linked to the contamination—of shipping products after internal testing revealed bacterial contamination on 12 separate occasions in 2007 and 2008, said USA Today.  These actions were a clear violation of food safety regulations. (more…)

Most states do not require food producers to alert health regulators when testing reveals food borne contaminants at production plants, the Associated Press (AP) reported today.  The news is adding another element to the ongoing and massive peanut butter salmonella scandal that has claimed eight fatalities, sickened hundreds, affected nearly every state and Canada, and involves four different strains of salmonella.

The news broke as a result of information obtained from the federal probe into the deadly  outbreak that is sweeping across North America.  Yesterday, Bloomberg News reported that according to U.S. health officials, the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA)—the sole source of the contamination—shipped its peanut butter products on 12 different occasions in 2007 and 2008 following tests proving the products were tainted with the dangerous, sometimes deadly germ.  Apparently, after receiving confirmation of the presence of salmonella in its products, PCA hired other laboratories to conduct additional tests, but actually continued to supply its products to customers according to Michael Rogers, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director of field investigations, said Bloomberg. (more…)

Doctors  in Australia are warning pregnant women to avoid Botox and other  wrinkle treatments made with botulinum toxin.  The warning comes after health authorities there reported that an expectant mother treated with a Botox rival called Dysport gave birth to a baby who was blind and deaf.

Several botulinum toxin treatments are currently approved for use in the U.S.  Botox, which like Dysport is made with botulinum toxin Type A, is approved for treatment of conditions such as blepharospasm (spasm of the eyelids), cervical dystonia (severe neck muscle spasms), and severe primary axillary hyperhydrosis (excess sweating).   (more…)

A listeria outbreak has been reported in Chicago and has stricken three pregnant women.  Medill Reports said three women who were infected with the dangerous pathogen suffered serious pregnancy complications.

Dr. Rick Holley of the Department of Food Science at the University of Manitoba in Canada explained that, “The organism grows at refrigerator temperature….  It will grow in the food processing plants. It will grow in a vacuumed package—it doesn’t need air to grow,” reported Medill.  Melanie Arnold, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Health confirmed, “This particular outbreak has three cases.  There have been two miscarriages and one [child] delivered, but premature,” reported Medill.  The baby tested positive for listeriosis, the disease caused by the listeria monocytegenes germ. (more…)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced two recalls of children’s products due to risk of lead exposure.

About 8,400 Spencer Skull-And-Crossbones Necklaces have been recalled by importer Spencer Gifts, LLC of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, because the skull and metal clasp of the necklace—which was manufactured in China—contain high levels of lead.  This recall involves a necklace with a “skull-and-crossbones” symbol and a metal clasp.  The skull is embedded with 11 pieces of rhinestones on its forehead and one rhinestone on both ends of the crossbones.   (more…)

The behavior of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and federal regulators in relation to this year’s massive salmonella outbreak continues to raise serious questions.   We’ve already reported that the company knowingly shipped products from its Blakely, Georgia facility that tested positive for salmonella contamination at least a dozen times in 2007 and 2008.  Now, the Associated Press is reporting that, just weeks before the Salmonella outbreak began, peanuts exported from that PCA plant were also found to be tainted and were returned to the U.S.

The salmonella outbreak has so far sickened 529 people in 43 states, and may have contributed to the deaths of eight people.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, illnesses were first reported in September 2008. (more…)

Two nursing homes in the Rochester, NY area are embroiled in an abuse scandal.  Yesterday, one certified nurse aide at the Kirkhaven Nursing Home in Rochester, and another who worked at the Edna Tina Wilson Living Center in Greece, NY, were arrested as part of a state-wide probe into nursing abuse and healthcare fraud.

According to the New York State Attorney Generals office, the aides arrested were 32-year-old Monique Jones, who worked at Kirkhaven, and 47-year-old Nellie Weller, an aide at the Greece facility. Jones is accused of kicking an 88-year-old resident in his ribs.  Weller allegedly tied a 76-year-old resident’s nightgown around his neck and legs, leaving him unable to move or use his urinal.  Both aides have been fired from their jobs at the facilities. (more…)

It has been confirmed that fumes from defective Chinese drywall are causing air conditioning coils and other metals to corrode in some Florida homes.  While sulfur emissions from the drywall are behind the corrosion problems, a study conducted by Environ International Corp. maintains the material poses no health hazards.  Environ International was hired by Lennar Corp., one of the biggest builders in South Florida,  to test homes built with the defective Chinese drywall.

Over the past several months, owners of newer homes in South Florida have been complaining of drywall that smells like rotten eggs. In several cases, they have had to leave their home because the smell was so bad.  In addition to the putrid smell, many South Florida homeowners have reported problems with air conditioning and other systems that are likely related to the defective Chinese drywall.  Some spent hundreds – even thousands of dollars – to have air conditioning, pipes and wiring repaired. (more…)

Following Zyprexa maker Eli Lilly & Company’s $2.6 billion in payouts to settle claims of illegal sales practices, Lilly still faces lawsuits that will likely cost it an additional $2 billion, reported Bloomberg.

The prior $2.6 billion covered state and federal claims of illegal sales practices, which caused the company to take a per share hit of $1.29; $1.2 billion settled 31,000 patient lawsuits, reported Bloomberg.  The Street reported that in a statement, Lilly said that while it agreed to settle the dispute, it disagrees with the allegations and does not admit to the civil allegations. (more…)

The toxic estrogen-mimicking chemical bisphenol A—BPA—seems to stay in the body longer than previously believed, according to a new study, said WebMD.  What’s frightening is that the plastics chemical is incredibly ubiquitous and can be found virtually everywhere.  As a matter-of-fact, BPA is present in “detectable levels” in just about every human body, said WebMD.

BPA is a plastic hardening chemical that can be found in polycarbonate drink containers, plastic food and soda can liners, dental sealers, CD cases, cars, PVC pipe, and baby bottles, to name just some.  BPA has been linked to a variety of diseases including an increased risk of diseases or disorders of the brain, reproductive, and immune systems; recent studies have linked BPA exposure to problems with liver function testing, an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease, and interruptions in chemotherapy treatment; and BPA exposure has long been linked to hormonal disturbances.  BPA was also linked to serious health problems based on 130 studies conducted in the past 10 years, The Washington Post reported late last year, and newer research found BPA to have negative effects at “very low doses,” lower than the FDA’s safety standards currently in place. (more…)