Health
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman warned consumers not to eat Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Seed Pesto sauce because it may have been improperly produced, making it susceptible to contamination with Clostridium botulinum.
Ingestion of botulism toxin from improperly processed jarred and canned foods may lead to serious illness and death.
The manufacturer of the product, California Olive and Vine, LLC, of Sutter, California, initiated the voluntary recall after CDPH determined that the product had been improperly processed.
The product was packaged in 8-ounce glass jars with screw-on metal lids. The recalled product can be identified by the following stock keeping unit (SKU) numbers: 6404305 and 6389043.
The Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Seed Pesto has been sold nationwide at Williams-Sonoma retail stores since September.
Botulism toxin is odorless and colorless. Consumers that have any of these products or any foods made with these products should discard them immediately. Double bag the jars in plastic bags and place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash.
Wear gloves when handling these products or wash your hands with soap and running water after handling any food or containers that may be contaminated.
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
The initial symptoms frequently experienced are double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and dry or sore throat.
Progressive descending paralysis, usually symmetrical, may follow. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, have a weak cry, and poor muscle tone.
CDPH recommends consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming these products should consult their health care provider.
Consumers who observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
Visit www.cdph.ca.gov for more information.
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WASHINGTON, DC – A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative targeting potentially life-threatening staph infections in hospitalized patients has produced significant positive results, according to recent statistics released by VA.
VA’s success in substantially reducing rates of health care-associated infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) serves as important confirmation that multifaceted intervention strategies can achieve effective and sustained control of MRSA in U.S. hospitals.
“VA has a well-earned reputation in successful prevention of MRSA,” said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. “Delivering high-quality care to our veterans when they are in our hospitals is a responsibility that we do not take lightly. The drop in MRSA rates shows that we are pursuing the right course for prevention and treatment. The results that we have achieved mean better health care for our veterans and that care ultimately benefits all Americans.”
Among VA patients in intensive care units (ICU) between 2007 and 2012, healthcare-associated MRSA infection rates dropped 72 percent – from 1.64 to 0.46 per 1,000 patient days.
Infection rates dropped 66 percent – from 0.47 to 0.16 per 1,000 patient days – for patients treated in non-ICU hospital units.
“These results are striking,” said Dr. Carolyn Clancy, VA’s interim under secretary for health. “Health care-associated infections are a major challenge throughout the health care industry, but we have found in VA that consistently applying some simple preventive strategies can make a very big difference, and that difference is being recognized. ”
VA’s prevention practices consist of patient screening programs for MRSA, contact precautions for hospitalized patients found to have MRSA, and hand hygiene reminders with readily available hand sanitizer stations placed strategically in common areas, patient wards, and specialty clinics throughout medical centers.
Computerized reminders, online training, frequent measurement, and continual feedback to medical staff reinforce such practices.
Additionally, VA has created a culture that promotes infection prevention and control as everyone’s responsibility.
A major part of that commitment is a dedicated employee at each VA medical center exclusively for the purpose of monitoring compliance with MRSA protection procedures, training staff, and working with veteran patients and families.
MRSA infections are a serious global health care issue and are difficult to treat because the bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics.
In a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2012 MRSA surveillance report from its Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs), the CDC cites that there were 75,309 cases of invasive MRSA infections and 9,670 deaths due to invasive MRSA in 2012.
“The VA health care system is able to implement and assess these prevention strategies,” said Dr. Martin Evans, director of VA’s MRSA control program. “What we’ve learned translates into better health care for the veterans we serve.”
With more than eight million veterans enrolled, VA operates the largest integrated health care delivery system in the United States conducting this type of large-scale, organized prevention program and documenting its impact.
For more information about VA health care, visit http://www.va.gov/health/ .
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