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 U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION

EuroCan Manufacturing Voluntarily Recalling Barnsdale Farms® Pig Ears Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

03/20/2017 06:47 PM EDT

(March 20, 2017) New Hamburg, Ontario - EuroCan Manufacturing is voluntarily recalling Lot Number 84 consisting of it's individually shrink-wrapped, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags of Barnsdale Farms®, HoundsTooth® and Mac's Choice® Pig Ears because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

For detailed information pertaining to this Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts message, please click the link at the beginning of this bulletin

FDA Consumer Health Information

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 Σήμερα στις 9:04 μ.μ.

FTC Testifies Before Senate on Efforts to Combat Fraud In testimony before Congress today, the Federal Trade Commission described its efforts to fight fraud, noting that during the past year the agency has obtained judgments totaling more than $11.9 billion to consumers harmed by deceptive and unfair business practices. Testifying before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, FTC Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen and Commissioner Terrell McSweeny described law enforcement work to stop pernicious frauds that often harm those who can least afford to lose money. The testimony stated that the FTC’s wide-ranging targets include imposter scams, where fraudsters call people and pretend to be government agents, well-known businesses, family members, or others, tricking consumers into sending money. The testimony described how the agency works with other federal and state law enforcement agencies as well as international partners to fight these frauds, including efforts against a massive fraud ring in India that took hundreds of millions of dollars from U.S. consumers. The Commission continues to target telemarketing scams that harm consumers, such as technical support scams that falsely claim consumers’ computers are in need of repair, and robocall schemes that blast millions of prerecorded messages pitching fraudulent goods or services. The testimony noted that last year the Commission led a multinational crackdown with nearly 40 cases against operations responsible for billions of illegal robocalls. The FTC also combats scams that harm small business owners and entrepreneurs. The testimony discussed two recent actions against companies charged with deceiving small businesses into paying for services that were not as represented. It described a recent case involving a deceptive patent promotion scheme, and the FTC’s case against Herbalife in which the FTC alleged that the multi-level marketer deceptively stated that people who joined its ranks would earn substantial income. The FTC obtained a settlement order requiring Herbalife to fully restructure its U.S. business operations and pay $200 million for consumer redress. The testimony also described the agency’s efforts against a range of other frauds, including: 1) fake prize promotions, 2) “free” trial offers with recurring fees for products or services consumers never ordered, 3) scams aimed at people struggling to pay their mortgages and other debts, and 4) abusive debt collectors. It also mentioned the FTC’s work to stop deceptive and fraudulent schemes involving car purchases and refinancing, and noted the $10 billion settlement against Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for deceiving consumers, and its historic $586 settlement with Western Union for its involvement in money transfer scams. The testimony noted the creation of an Office of Technology Research and Investigation to help the agency keep abreast of technology changes affecting consumers, and its consumer and business outreach and education programs that reach tens of millions of people and businesses each year. In addition, the testimony stated that, as the agency has long called for, repealing the FTC Act’s common carrier exception, which puts common carriers subject to the Communications Act beyond the FTC’s enforcement authority, would improve the Commission’s ability to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The Commission vote approving the testimony and its inclusion in the formal record was 2-0. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program Breast Implants: Update - Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) AUDIENCE: Plastic Surgery, Oncology, Patient ISSUE: FDA has updated its understanding of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) to reflect the agency’s concurrence with the World Health Organization designation of BIA-ALCL as a rare T-cell lymphoma that can develop following breast implants. At this time, most data suggest that BIA-ALCL occurs more frequently following implantation of breast implants with textured surfaces rather than those with smooth surfaces. BIA-ALCL is a rare condition; when it occurs, it has been identified most frequently in patients undergoing implant revision operations for late onset, persistent seroma. The exact number of cases remains difficult to determine due to significant limitations in world-wide reporting and lack of global implant sales data. See the FDA Update for additional information, including a summary of Medical Device Reports and medical literature, and recommendations for patient care. BACKGROUND: In 2011, the FDA identified a possible association between breast implants and the development of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. FDA continues to collect and evaluate information about ALCL in women with breast implants. RECOMMENDATIONS: Healthcare providers: If you have patients with breast implants, you should continue to provide them routine care and support. Because it has generally only been identified in patients with late onset of symptoms such as pain, lumps, swelling, or asymmetry, prophylactic breast implant removal in patients without symptoms or other abnormality is not recommended. Be aware that most confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL have occurred in women with textured breast implants. Provide the manufacturers’ labeling as well as any other educational materials to your patients before surgery and discuss with them the benefits and risks of the different types of implants. Patients: Before getting breast implants, make sure to talk to your health care provider about the benefits and risks of textured-surface vs. smooth-surfaced implants. If you already have breast implants, there is no need to change your routine medical care and follow-up. Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report all confirmed cases of ALCL in women with breast implants to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: Complete and submit the report Online:www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178. Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the FDA update, at: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm547622.htm Senate confirmation hearings for the President’s Supreme Court justice nominee have begun. A new justice would help pick which cases the Court hears, and add a tie-breaking vote to Court rulings. Justices are appointed for life, so their impact on the Court can span decades. They can only be removed by impeachment. Once hearings end, the confirmation process may move to a full Senate debate. From there, things could go several ways. If the terms “cloture,” “filibuster,” or “nuclear option” confuse you, scroll down to Judicial Branch for a simple explanation.