New York Firm Recalls Frozen Mini Quesadilla, Pizza, Cheese Steak and Other Snack Products Due To Possible E. Coli O121 Contamination. Some Products linked to cases identified in Texas.

Link – CLASS I RECALL HEALTH RISK: HIGH

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2013 – Rich Products Corporation, a Buffalo, NY firm, is recalling approximately 196,222 pounds of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items because they may be contaminated with E. coli O121, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to FSIS recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

7.2-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough, UPC code 041322376909 with a best by date of May 15 or May 16, 2014.
22-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough, UPC code 041322356437 with a best by date of May 15 or May 16, 2014.
18-oz. bags of Farm Rich mini quesadillas with cheese, grilled white meat chicken in a crispy crust, UPC code 041322356352 with a best by date of May 14, 2014.
21-oz. bags of Farm Rich philly cheese steaks with cheese, beef & onions in a crispy crust, UPC code 041322356345 with a best by date of May 13, 2014.

Each product package above contains the establishment number “EST. 27232″ or “P-27233″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

In addition, the following products, which fall under FDA jurisdiction, are also being recalled. FSIS is issuing this news release to make the public aware that these products are also considered potentially adulterated and should be properly discarded or destroyed.

22-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust, UPC code 041322374431 with a best by date of May 19, 2014.
7-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust, UPC code 041322376916 with a best by date of May 19, 2014.
22-oz. bags of Market Day Mozzarella Bites, UPC code 041322804358 with a best by date of May 12, 2014.

The products subject to recall were produced between Nov. 12, 2012 and Nov. 19, 2012 then distributed for retail sale nationwide. FSIS and the establishment are concerned that some product may be present in household freezers.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company’s consumer line at (888) 220-5955 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or visit the company website at www.farmrich.com. Media with questions regarding the recall should contact the company’s vice president of communications, Dwight Gram, at (716) 878-8749.

As we recognize January 2013 as Cervical Health Awareness Month, the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) call for expanded access to life-saving screening tests and vaccines.

Each year in the U.S. approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 die as a result. The numbers are even more soberng globally; approximately 80% of deaths from cervical cancer occur in the developing world. In both the U.S. and around the world, the disease disproportionately impacts poor women.

ASHA/NCCC President and CEO Lynn B. Barclay says we can do better: “Cervical cancer is preventable through vaccines and screening tests. Making sure these tools reach the most vulnerable women is critical, of course, but so are efforts to educate women about the disease. Accurate, culturally-sensitive information and access to care are an unbeatable combination.”

It’s also important to reach out to health care providers, Barclay says. “Only about 35% of girls and young women who are eligible for these vaccines have completed the three-dose series. Parents are strongly influenced by the recommendations of the family doctor or nurse, so we’ll continue developing cervical cancer information and counseling tools designed specifically for health professionals. “

ASHA/NCCC address the challenges of cervical cancer prevention by offering numerous programs that include national advocacy, publications, and interactive services that provide education and support for patients, families, and health professionals. For more visit us online at www.ASHAsexualhealth.org and www.nccc-online.org.

Week of January 7-13, 2013

January is often the peak time for the flu season in Texas, and it’s not too late to get a flu shot and take other common sense steps to protect yourself from illness.

Flu is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, releasing the contagious virus into the air. People with flu can transmit the virus to others from one day before getting sick to up to seven days after showing symptoms of the flu.

“Respiratory etiquette” is the newest phrase in healthcare circles, and refers to taking common-sense steps to prevent the spread of germs from person to person.

Washing your hands thoroughly and often is the most important way you can prevent catching and spreading germs to others and prevent many communicable diseases. Use warm water and soap and scrub your hands for about 20 seconds. Dry your hands with a clean, disposable towel.

Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available.

In addition, the Texas Department of State Health Services recommends these precautions to reduce your risk of catching or spreading flu germs:

* Wash your hands before eating, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
* Wash your hands after touching anyone who is sneezing, coughing or has a runny nose. This is true especially if you are taking care of someone who is sick.
* Do not share towels, lipstick, toys, cigarettes, food, eating utensils, drinking glasses or anything that might be contaminated with respiratory germs.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and avoid close, crowded spaces when possible.
* Cover your mouth and nose with tissue every time you sneeze, blow your nose, or cough. Do not use handkerchiefs.
* Put used tissues in the nearest trashcan.
* If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
* Stay home if you have a cough and fever. Keep away from family members who are very young, very old, or have a serious disease or weak immune system.
* Because cold viruses can survive for hours outside the body, cleaning surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant (such as a one part bleach to nine parts water mixture) can help prevent the spread of common germs.

For more details on how you can protect yourself during the cold and flu season, go to the Texas Department of State Health Services website at www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/prevention/cold_flu.

The Jasper Newton County Public Health will start giving flu shots on,

October 15:

Jasper, Newton and Kirbyville locations

October 17:

Buna location

If you have questions, please call 409-384-6829 ext 222.

With flu season officially underway, the Texas Department of State Health Services urges everyone at least 6 months old to get vaccinated against the flu. A vaccination now will provide protection throughout the flu season, which runs through May.

“Flu is very unpredictable,” said DSHS Commissioner Dr. David Lakey. “We don’t know exactly what this flu season will look like, but we do know the flu is circulating in Texas and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months old or older be vaccinated against seasonal flu. The CDC also says that children under age 9 who are getting the flu vaccine for the first time should get two doses at least four weeks apart.

The flu is caused by various influenza viruses. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigue. Most healthy people recover without problems, but people 65 and over, pregnant women, young children and people with chronic health conditions are at higher risk for serious complications and even death. It is especially important for people in those high-risk groups to be vaccinated.

The flu vaccine protects against three viruses and is reformulated each year to match the influenza viruses researchers expect to be circulating. This year’s vaccine will protect against the strains A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2) and B/Wisconsin/1/2010.

In addition to getting vaccinated, people should help stop the spread of the flu and other illnesses by covering all coughs and sneezes, washing their hands frequently and staying home when sick.

People can contact their health care provider, local health department or dial 2-1-1 to find out where to get a flu shot.

Flu information and tips for protecting against the flu are at texasflu.org.