Two people may have died after eating bad beef. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 28 people have gotten sick from ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli.

Fairbank Farms recalled 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef Friday because of the possible link. The company says customers who have the recalled meat should return it to their grocery stores for a full refund. Stores include:  ACME, BJ’s, Ford Brothers, Giant Food Stores, Price Chopper, Shaw’s, and Trader Joe’s.

Go here for a complete list of the products recalled.

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Have you noticed how outbreaks linked to contaminated foods seem to be popping up more lately? Now, a new report lists the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the FDA. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says these foods were linked to more than 1,500 separate outbreaks from 1990-2006 and made nearly 50,000 people sick:

1. Leafy greens: 363 outbreaks
2. Eggs: 352 outbreaks
3. Tuna: 268 outbreaks
4. Oysters: 132 outbreaks
5. Potatoes: 108 outbreaks
6. Cheese: 83 outbreaks
7. Ice cream: 74 outbreaks
8. Tomatoes: 31 outbreaks
9. Sprouts: 31 outbreaks
10. Berries: 25 outbreaks

I’m very careful with food, but it’s still scary to see several things I eat often on that list!

A bill now being considered in the Senate would help make our food safer – it includes having stricter standards for all food producers and would allow the FDA to inspect facilities considered high risk more frequently.

See the CSPI’s complete report here.

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

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The Food and Drug Administration is looking into reports of liver damage in patients taking the over-the-counter weight loss drug, Alli, and its prescription equivalent, Xenical.

Between 1999 and 2008, the FDA has received 32 reports of serious liver damage in patients taking the drugs, including 27 people who were hospitalized and six who had liver failure.

The FDA says it has not found a definite link between liver damage and the weight loss pills. If you’re taking either Xenical or Alli, the agency recommends you continue to take them as directed.

You can find more information on the FDA’s website.

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As energy drinks become more popular, there is growing concern over how they could affect young athletes. Health experts say more high school and college athletes are downing these caffeine-loaded drinks to boost athletic performance or lose weight. But too many energy drinks could lead to dehydration, tremors, heat stroke and heart attacks, the experts warn. They say young athletes should instead drink water while training and playing, especially during hot and humid summer months.

Also see: Energy drinks should come with warnings

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Another holiday weekend, another beef recall…

Just before Memorial Day weekend, there was this ground beef recall because the meat was contaminated with E. coli. Now, 380,000 pounds of various beef products are being recalled because of another possible E. coli outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says at least 23 people in nine states may have gotten sick after eating beef produced by JBS Swift Beef Company of Greeley, Colorado. And at least 12 people have been hospitalized, two of them had kidney failure.

Health officials investigating the E. coli illnesses say most people who got sick ate ground beef, and many said it was undercooked.

You can find more information about the recall here.

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

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Last month, it was ground beef. Just before that, it was peanut products. Now it’s cookie dough. Another recall because the food may make us sick.

Nestle has voluntarily recalled its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products after a warning from the Food and Drug Administration that they might be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The FDA warns not to eat any varieties of the prepackaged cookie dough. If you have any of the products, Nestle says you can return them to your local grocer for a full refund.

Since March, the FDA says there have been 66 reports of people getting sick in 28 states after they ate raw cookie dough – 25 people were hospitalized.

The products in the recall include all varieties of Nestle Toll House refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub; Cookie Dough Tube; Limited Edition Cookie Dough items; Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. See a complete list here.

If you have any questions, call Nestle consumer services at 1-800-559-5025 and/or visit their website, verybestbaking.com.

E. coli O157:H7 can cause abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, often with bloody stools. If you’ve eaten any prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and have had any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

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All I can say is ewwwww!

It’s still rare, but a new study shows tapeworm infestations from eating raw salmon tripled from an average of 0.32 cases per 100,000 people each year in Kyoto, Japan, to at least 1 in 100,000 people in 2008. The worm has apparently spread as more people eat sushi and undercooked fish around the world, including the U.S.  Did I already say ewwwww???

Want more News Nuggets? Follow me on Twitter!

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Before you grill any burgers this holiday weekend, make sure you don’t have any of the nearly 96,000 pounds of ground beef that have been recalled.

Illinois meat producer, Valley Meats LLC, has recalled the meat because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly bacterium. It can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure.

A list of the recalled products, which are packaged under several labels, is posted here.

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

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The Food and Drug Administration warns consumers to stop taking Hydroxycut immediately. The weight-loss supplements have been recalled after 23 reports of liver problems and one death.

The FDA says if you took the recalled products, call your doctor if you have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach pain, itching or loss of appetite.

Here is a list of the recalled products:

• Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
• Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
• Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
• Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
• Hydroxycut 24
• Hydroxycut Carb Control
• Hydroxycut Natural

The FDA has more information here.

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Yes, there’s yet another salmonella problem – this time in alfalfa sprouts. The Food and Drug Administration is warning us not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The FDA says the contamination seems to be in the seeds. So far, 31 people have gotten sick in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia. The FDA has more information here.

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