Tourists tempted to pick up bargains south of the border should beware of one bargain that isn’t always a good buy—so-called Mexican “vanilla.” This flavoring product may smell like vanilla, taste like vanilla, and be offered at a cheap price. But it’s often made with coumarin, a toxic substance banned in food in the United States.
In addition to being sold in Mexico and other Latin American countries, the coumarin-containing product has appeared on the shelves of some U.S. stores. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers not to purchase this product.
Pure vanilla is made with the extract of beans from the vanilla plant, a type of orchid that grows as a vine. Mexican vanilla is frequently made with the extract of beans from the tonka tree, an entirely different plant that belongs to the pea family. Tonka bean extract contains coumarin, a compound related to warfarin, which is in some blood-thinning medications. Eating food containing coumarin may be especially risky for people taking blood-thinning drugs because the interaction of coumarin and blood thinners can increase the likelihood of bleeding.
Standards for Vanilla
FDA standards specify that only vanilla beans can be used to make vanilla for use in any food product. Vanilla-like flavors that don’t meet the standard must be labeled as “imitation” vanilla and must be made from safe ingredients that are permitted for that use.
FDA does not allow tonka bean extract even in imitation vanilla. Because they contain coumarin, tonka beans do not meet the food safety requirements for sale in the United States under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Tips for Consumers
- Be wary about buying vanilla in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Look for “vanilla bean” in the ingredient list on the label. If it has “tonka bean” or if there is no ingredient list or a vague one, avoid this product.
- Don’t risk your health to save a few dollars. Vanilla with coumarin is generally sold at a lower price than pure vanilla because tonka beans are cheaper to grow than vanilla beans. If the price sounds too good to be true, pass it up.
- Don’t buy a food product in the United States that is not labeled in English. Products may have Spanish or other non-English labeling, but they must also have complete English labeling to meet U.S. Government standards. (Products sold only in Puerto Rico are an exception—they are not required to be labeled in English.)
- Call the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for your geographic area if you suspect that a food product sold in the United States has been imported illegally.
Download the FDA’s PDF info sheet.
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October 29th, 2008
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The new National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Obesity Guidelines recommend trying different ethnic cuisines to give yourself a taste treat while counting calories and fat. Many ethnic cuisines offer lots of low fat, low calorie choices.So if you want to eat healthy and still have lots of different choices, take a taste adventure with ethnic foods. Here’s a sample of healthy food choices (lower in calories and fat) and terms to look for when making your selection:
Chinese
- Steamed
- Jum (poached)
- Kow (roasted)
- Shu (barbecued)
- Steamed rice
- Dishes without MSG added
Italian
- Red sauces
- Primavera (no cream)
- Piccata (lemon)
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Crushed tomatoes
- Lightly sauteed
- Grilled
Mexican
- Spicy chicken
- Rice & black beans
- Salsa or Picante
- Soft corn tortillas
Source: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in cooperation with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
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October 26th, 2008
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Nonna’s Real Italiana Cuccine Issues an Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk, Soy, and Wheat in Stuffed Artichokes
Nonna’s Real Italiana Cuccine of Slidell, LA is recalling the following Nonna’s Real Italiana Cuccine brand products:
- Stuffed Artichokes, Net Wt. 15 oz.
This product is being recalled because it contains milk, soy, and wheat that was distributed in packaging that does not reveal the presence of these ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, soy, or wheat run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
This product is distributed through retailers in the Greater New Orleans area including the Northshore from October 8, 2008 to October 17, 2008. The product is individually wrapped in clear plastic wrap bearing the label: “STUFFED ARTICHOKE, Net Wt. 15 oz., NONNA’S REAL ITALIANA CUCCINE”.
There have been no reported illnesses to date.
The above omission was found during a routine FDA inspection. Distribution of these products has been suspended while we correct the labels to include all ingredients.
Consumers who have questions or purchased the product may contact Ruby Lovecchio at 214-253-7630 for information and return instructions.
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October 22nd, 2008
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Discover the Truth About Bad Breath!
Download ‘The Bad Breath Bible’ absolutely free (a $19.95 value!)
This eBook, written by Dr. Harold Katz founder of the California Breath Clinics (one of the foremost experts in the world on the topic of bad breath), is based on over 15 years of medical and dental research. Written in an easy-to-read format, you’ll learn some things that will definitely surprise you.
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October 22nd, 2008
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Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons grated romano cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Six 1/3-inch-thick slices of French bread baguette
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Heat olive oil in heavy small skillet over low heat. Add garlic and saute until garlic is just golden, about 2 minutes. Drain immediately. (Reserve oil for another use.) Combine garlic with Romano cheese, oregano and pepper in small bowl. Place bread slices on small baking sheet. Sprinkle garlic mixture evenly over bread. Bake until cheese melts and croutons are golden brown on edges, approximately 10 minutes.
Yields: 6 Servings
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October 20th, 2008
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Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.
When washing hands with soap and water:
Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend!
Rinse hands well under running water
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
When should you wash your hands?
Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
Before and after tending to someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- Apply product to the palm of one hand
- Rub hands together
- Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
Source: CDC
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October 18th, 2008
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Barry Callebaut USA LLC Issues Allergen Alert on Undeclared Milk Protein in Kroger Value Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Barry Callebaut USA LLC is conducting a voluntary recall on its product sold by Kroger Stores under the brand “Kroger Value Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips”, 12 oz., UPC Code is 11110–86603 and “sell by” date May 30, 2010, as the product may contain undeclared milk protein. The “sell by” date is found printed in black on the end of the bag. People with allergies or severe sensitivity to milk protein may be at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
The Kroger Value Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips subject to this recall were sold in Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
This recall was determined necessary after it was identified by 3 consumers that packages of Kroger Value Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips may also contain chocolate chips with undeclared milk protein. The package ingredient label does not identify that the product may contain milk protein.
Consumers who have purchased Kroger Value Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips with the above indicated code date may return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with any questions may contact Barry Callebaut at 1-866-678-5221.
Source: FDA
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October 14th, 2008
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HUA XIA Food Trade USA, Inc. Recalls YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink and YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink, Because of Possible Health Risk
HUA XIA Food Trade USA, Inc. of Flushing, NY, is recalling YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes (all codes and all lots are affected) and YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes (all codes and all lots are affected) because it may be contaminated with melamine.
Consumers who have the product which is being recalled should stop using it immediately. If consumers have questions about possible health risks, they should contact their doctor.
YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink and YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink were distributed to New York City through Asian retail grocery stores.
PRODUCTS:
- YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink is packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes with blue, red and green Chinese writing. There is a picture of an Asian man in a green shirt and white tie clapping his hands on the face of the box. All codes and all lots are affected.
- YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes with black, red and white writing, the writing on the package is in both English and Chinese. There is a picture of two cows playing basketball on the face of the box. All codes and all lots are affected.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was initiated after FDA testing discovered that the product was found to contain Melamine.
Consumers who have purchased YILI Brand Sour Milk or YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (917) 216-0575, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 5:00, Eastern Standard Time.
Source: FDA
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October 14th, 2008
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For people who’ve had diverticulosis – development of tiny pockets in the intestine – foods like popcorn and nuts have been off the menu. Medical thinking was that small hard things can get lodged in those pockets, creating irritations that cause infection or bleeding.
But Dr. Lisa Strate and colleagues at Brigham and Women’s Hospital examined data on that, from a large long-running study of the health of men.
They found no association between the foods and infection or bleeding.
So, co-author Sapna Syngal says:
“For a large proportion of people out there who know they have diverticulosis and have been told that they should avoid these foods, there probably isn’t any reason to do that.’’
The study in the Journal of the American Medical Association was supported by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the National Institutes of Health.
Learn more at hhs.gov.
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October 10th, 2008
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Arnold Foods Company, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Nuts in Brownberry Whole Grains Bread 100% Whole Wheat
Arnold Foods Company, Inc. is recalling BROWNBERRY brand Whole Grains BREAD 100% WHOLE WHEAT (1 LB 8 OZ) because it may contain undeclared almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts. People who have an allergy to these nuts run the risk of life threatening or serious allergic reactions if they consume the product.
The BROWNBERRY brand Whole Grains BREAD 100% WHOLE WHEAT was sold in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. This product was sold through retail stores and bakery thrift outlets.
The product being recalled has a green twist tie with a code date of “Oct 11″ printed on the bread bag. No other Arnold brand or Brownberry brand products are affected.
The company announced the recall after receiving a report from one consumer who found nuts in the bread which are known allergens but were not listed on the ingredient statement. The company has received no other reports from consumers. There are no reports of injuries.
All packages with the above code date have been removed from store shelves.
Consumers with allergies to nuts who have purchased the product can return the product to its place of purchase for a full refund or call the company at 1-800-984-0989.
Possible Botulism Contamination in “Frozen Salted Croaker”
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today alerted consumers not to eat “Frozen Salted Croaker” distributed by YS Trading Corp of 38-21 23rd Street, Long Island City, New York 11101 because the product was uneviscerated.
The “Frozen Salted Croaker” was sold in Hicksville, New York, Flushing, New York, and New Jersey in un-coded, unlabeled plastic bags.
Uneviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of Botulism poisoning.
Because the fish is uneviscerated, the product may become contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause Botulism, a serious and potentially fatal food-borne illness. Symptoms of Botulism include blurred or double vision, general weakness, poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory paralysis.
The “Frozen Salted Croaker” was found by a New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food inspector during a routine inspection. Subsequent analysis by New York State Food Laboratory personnel confirmed the product to be uneviscerated.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the product. Consumers who have this product are advised not to eat it.
Source: FDA
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October 9th, 2008
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