Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Cucumbers Recalled Following Salmonella Outbreak
Cucumbers that may be linked to one death and nearly 300 illnesses in 27 states have been recalled by their California supplier, U.S. health officials said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mexico-grown cucumbers were distributed in Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Florida; Idaho; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Minnesota; Mississippi; Montana; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; Oklahoma; Oregon; South Carolina; Texas; and Utah.
The company, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego, on Friday voluntarily recalled its “Limited Edition” brand cucumbers because they may be responsible for the Salmonella Poona infections, the CDC reported.
This type of cucumber, known as a “slicer” or American cucumber, is dark green and 7 to 10 inches long. CDC officials said the cucumbers appear to have caused 285 illnesses since July 3 and the Aug. 17 death of a 99-year-old woman in San Diego.
If you don’t know if your cucumbers were recalled, the CDC suggested asking your supplier. Or, if you’re in doubt, throw them out.
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Kraft Singles Recall Expanded
A recall of Kraft Singles products is being expanded from 36,000 cases to 335,000 cases, Kraft Heinz Co. said Thursday.
The company said a thin strip of packaging film may stick to the cheese slice after the wrapper is removed, posing a choking a hazard, the Associated Press reported.
There have been five reports of customers choking, and seven other complaints about the packaging, according to Kraft Heinz.
The expanded recall includes 1-, 3-and 4-pound Kraft Singles American and White American cheese products with “Best When Used by Dates” ranging from Dec. 12 to March 2, the AP reported.
Customers should return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund, Kraft Heinz said.
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Lab Operations Suspended, Reviews Under Way After Anthrax Mistake
Operations have been suspended at four U.S. Defense Department laboratories that handle biological toxins as investigators try to determine how live anthrax samples were mistakenly sent to other labs in the U.S. and in other countries.
In a memo issued Thursday, Army Secretary John McHugh also ordered a safety stand-down and reviews at nine Defense Department labs involved in the production, shipment and handling of biological toxins, the Associated Press reported.
McHugh ordered a report on the reviews within 10 days.
U.S. labs under review are in Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Utah and Virginia, along with labs in Egypt and Peru, the AP reported.
Earlier this year, samples of live anthrax from the Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah were sent to 194 labs in all 50 states and nine other countries. Officials say there have been no illnsesses, but more than 30 Americans have taken medication as a precaution.
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