Fitness and Freebies Blog

Fitness and Freebies Blog

Potato Chip Recall

Herr Foods Inc. Recalls ‘Herr’s Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Flavored’ Kettle Style Potato Chips Because of Possible Health Risk

Company Contact:
Phil Bernas
Sr. VP of Manufacturing
610-932-6455

As a precautionary measure and concern for our consumer safety, Herr Foods Inc of Nottingham, PA is voluntarily recalling ‘Herr’s Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Flavored’ Kettle Style Potato Chips. The product is being recalled because it contains HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) manufactured, distributed and recalled by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., Las Vegas, NV. The ingredient from Basic Food Flavors has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Herr’s has a strong commitment to consumer safety and the highest quality standards. Salmonella has not been found in any Herr’s products and there are no known illnesses reported.

‘Herr’s Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Flavored’ Kettle Style Potato Chips were distributed nationwide through retail stores, distributors, and internet sales. These products were sold as individual bags. No other ‘Herr’s” products are involved with this recall.

Only the following products are being recalled:
‘Herr’s Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Flavored’ Kettle Style Potato Chips
With code dates FEB 27, 2010 up to an including May 15, 2010
Bag Net Weight 8.5 oz.       UPC 072600011519

‘Herr’s Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Flavored’ Kettle Style Potato Chips
With code dates FEB 27, 2010 up to an including June 12, 2010
Bag Net Weight 1.875 oz.       UPC 072600014909

Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them and should return them to the retailer where they were purchased for a full refund. Herr Foods and other retailers are removing recalled product from the retailers’ shelves. As a result, consumers can be assured that all other Herr’s products that remain on-shelf are safe and not subject to this recall. Consumers with questions may call 1-800-523-5030. Live assistance is available 9am- 5pm EST.

Herr’s will continue to monitor all related findings and act quickly to preserve the trust consumers place in our products.

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March 10th, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

Black Pepper Recall

Dutch Valley Food Distributors, Inc. Announces a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Black Pepper and Products made with Black Pepper

Contact:
Dale Brubaker
1-800-733-4191

As a result of a recall of Black Pepper by Mincing Overseas Spice Company and distributed by Dutch Valley Food Distributors due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, a product recall is being issued. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Dutch Valley Food Distributors, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for the following products with a Bulk Foods Inc. label:

5 Pound boxes of Seasoning Salt, item 808530, with a Mfg. date of 1/4/10 and 2/2/2010
5 Pound boxes of Perfect Pepper Seasoning, item 808399, with a Mfg. date of 1/4/2010
5 Pound boxes of Perfect Pepper Dip Mix, item 278115, with a Mfg. date of 12/7/2009
5 Pound boxes of Vegetable Dip Mix, item 278112, with a Mfg. date of 1/4/2010 and 2/2/2010
5 Pound boxes of Southwest Dip Mix, item 278109, with a Mfg. date of 2/2/2010

50 Pound boxes of Medium Black Pepper, item 808464 with a lot number of 3309 (B, F, G, K, P and T) and 3258 (B, D, G, L, P, Q, R, T and X)
20 Pound boxes of Coarse Black Pepper, item 808465 with a lot number of 3309 (B, F, G, K, P and T) and 3258 (B, D, G, L, P, Q, R, T and X)
25 Pound boxes of Fine Black Pepper, item 808466 with a lot number of 3309 (B, F, G, K, P and T) and 3258 (B, D, G, L, P, Q, R, T and X)
50 Pound boxes of Fine Black Pepper, item 808467 with a lot number of 3309 (B, F, G, K, P and T) and 3258 (B, D, G, L, P, Q, R, T and X)
25 Pound boxes of Whole Black Peppercorns, item 808468 with a lot number of 3309 (B, F, G, K, P and T) and 3358 (B, D, G, L, P, Q, R, T and X)
20 Pound boxes of Medium Black Pepper, item 808469 with a lot number of 3309 (B, F, G, K, P and T) and 3358 (B, D, G, L, P, Q, R, T and X)
5 Pound pails of Whole Black Peppercorns, item 808470 with a lot number of 3309 (B, F, G, K, P and T) and 3358 (B, D, G, L, P, Q, R, T and X)

All items packaged and sold within the parameters mentioned are subject to this recall, including items sold on our website, www.dutchvalleyfoods.com. The items were distributed nationwide. Retailers are advised to remove all these products from store shelves based on lot number or manufacture dates. Consumers who have purchased these products are asked to destroy them. Consumers with questions regarding the products listed may call Dutch Valley Foods at 1-800-733-4191 and speak with customer service.

Source: FDA

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March 10th, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

Depression: Mind Over Matter?

  1. Psychiatric drugs kill 42,000 people every year. And the death count continues to rise.
  2. The number of Americans taking antidepressants doubled in a decade, from 13.3 million in 1996 to 27 million in 2005.
  3. Drug claims refer to serotonin levels… No one can measure your serotonin or your dopamine levels without – literally – cutting open your head.
  4. Scientists can’t even decide on what a “normal” serotonin level is, much less an abnormal one.

More and more scientists who study depression and the drugs that treat it are concluding that antidepressants are basically expensive Tic Tacs.

You have heard for years that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance of your neurotransmitters, mainly serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, but there’s a serious lack of research to prove it.

This theory has become so indoctrinated into our culture, medical professionals and the main stream media, most people just accept it as fact.

Regular exercise is one of the “secret weapons” to overcoming depression. It boosts the “feel good” hormones in your brain. And you needn’t run a marathon – just move a little, stretch a little, take a walk – it’s not how hard you pound your body, it’s just moving it, using it, DOING something rather than sitting – sitting leads to brooding.

What it comes down to is the crucial mind-body connection. Those who have hope and belief in the solutions they try will likely find them working. Those who pray or meditate for healing should not be ridiculed either. For them it can be a life-saver.

For more in-depth information, read: Five Ways to Help Beat Depression Without Antidepressants

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March 9th, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | To Your Health! | no comments

SALE: LIPObind Fat Binder

Lipobind™ is the UK’s most popular fat binder, having sailed through clinical studies to prove that it can remove up to 27% fat from your day to day intake of food.

60 CAPSULES NOW: $21.90 You save: 46% off RRPAnother company is asking over TWICE that amount – and they say THAT IS A SALE PRICE!

 Need we say more? Buy LIPObind now! It’s 100 percent natural and clinically proven to work. And you won’t find it at a better price.

Lipobind

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March 8th, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Weightloss Wisdom | no comments

Spinach Dip Recall

As a precautionary measure, Fresh Food Concepts, Inc. announced, it is voluntarily recalling certain production codes of Delicioso, De la Casa, Rojo’s and Fresh Food Concepts brand Spinach Dips and Fresh Food Concepts Spinach Dip with Yogurt because an ingredient used in those products has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is a common food borne pathogen that can cause severe illnesses, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. While most individuals recover in three to five days without medical intervention, the infection can be life-threatening to young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Consumers with any of these symptoms should call their physician. For more information on Salmonella, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website at http://www.cdc.gov.1

Products subject to this recall that were distributed nationwide in plastic tubs and sold in the refrigerated section include:

Delicioso Spinach Dip, 12 oz (UPC 29358 10031) with USE BY dates 04/30/10 and before.
De la Casa Spinach Dip, 32 oz (UPC 29358 11273) with USE BY dates 04/30/10 and before.
Rojo’s Garden Fresh Spinach Dip, 14 oz (UPC 47502 48003) with USE BY dates 04/30/10 and before.
Fresh Food Concepts Garden Fresh Spinach Dip, 16 oz (UPC 29358 11364) with USE BY dates 04/30/10 and before.
Fresh Food Concepts Spinach Dip with Real Yogurt, 12 oz (UPC 47502 48151) with USE BY dates 04/30/10 and before.
There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the identified products, and no other varieties or types of flavors of products made by Fresh Food Concepts are affected by this recall.

The Spinach Dip products were made using Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), manufactured by Basic Food Flavors Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada. The HVP had tested positive for Salmonella at its original manufacturing plant Basic Food Flavors Inc. Because the safety of our consumers is our top priority and out of an abundance of caution, Fresh Food Concepts has voluntarily recalled these products.

Fresh Food Concepts is working closely with the FDA to conduct this recall.

Consumers who have purchased the above affected products are urged return them to their place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with question may contact the company at (714) 562-5000 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST. Monday through Friday.

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March 7th, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

Safest Seafood Catches

Seafood has a long list of health benefits, but some types also contain PCBs or mercury.

The following varieties of seafood are low in contaminants, great sources of omega-3s and easy on the planet.

  1. Mussels (farmed
  2. Salmon (wild, from Alaska)
  3. Oysters (farmed)
  4. Pink shrimp (wild, from the Pacific Northwest)
  5. Rainbow trout (farmed)
  6. Albacore tuna (pole caught, from the United States or Canada)
  7. Pacific sardines (wild)

This list is according to the “Super Green” list from Harvard School of Public Health, Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, and the Environmental Defense Fund.

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March 5th, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Food Facts | no comments

Recall: Tortilla Soup Mix

Homemade Gourmet Voluntarily Recalls “Tortilla Soup Mix” Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Homemade Gourmet
1000 Homemade Way
Canton, TX 75103
(903) 287-1000

Homemade Gourmet of Canton, Texas is voluntarily recalling approximately 320 packages of 1.96 oz Tortilla Soup Mix, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

“Tortilla Soup Mix” is distributed nationwide via mail order delivery and through independent consultant sales. The recalled lots are S1004812411 and S1004912111, which were sold 2/17/2010 through 3/1/2010. All known purchasers of the 320 packages have been contacted and told to destroy them. A full refund has been offered to every customer and consultant.

“Tortilla Soup Mix” is packaged in clear plastic packages with red and beige labeling. The product was sold individually in a 1.96 oz (55.6 g) pouch, and as part of two kits including the “Let’s Make Dinner Collection (stock #40.1032) or the “$800 pre-select” order for consultants (stock #37.0320).

To date, no known illnesses have been associated with this product.

The “Tortilla Soup Mix” was made using Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada. The HVP had tested positive for Salmonella at its original manufacturing plant Basic Food Flavors, Inc.

This product should be destroyed immediately. Consumers with questions should contact Homemade Gourmet Customer Service Department at 1-888-477-2848 (Monday – Friday 8-5 C.S.T.) for replacement, substitution or refund.

Source: FDA

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March 4th, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

The Weigh-In (Humor)

The correct way to weigh yourself…

Weigh In

I can’t believe I was doing it wrong all these years.

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March 3rd, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Weightloss Wisdom | no comments

Ground Pepper Recall

Heartland Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalls Coarse Ground Black Pepper because of possible Salmonella Contamination

Heartland Foods, Inc. of Indianapolis is voluntarily recalling all sizes/containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER shipped from their facility at 6815 E. 34th Street, Indianapolis IN. Potential distribution took place on or after October 19th, 2009 to February 17th, 2010. These products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and other with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The product involved includes the following sizes: 1 lb Quart (jar), 4 lb Gallon, 8 lb Bucket (new pail). Each container is identified with an individual label showing the Heartland Foods company logo, the description: Coarse Ground Black Pepper, and the specific Net Weight of the container (i.e., 1 lb, 4 lb, 8 lb). Product distribution of Coarse Ground Black Pepper has been suspended while the FDA continues its investigation.

Heartland Foods, Inc. takes the safety of our customers and the integrity of our products very seriously. Customers who have purchased Coarse Ground Black Pepper during the specified dates above, are urged not to use the product and return the product to a Heartland Foods, Inc. representative for a full refund. Customers are also urged to recall any product they further distributed.

Pepper Recall

Customers with questions may contact Heartland Foods, Inc. Recall Department Monday through Friday 5am to 5pm EST at (800) 762-6909.

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March 2nd, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

Twinkie Tax Grandfather Exposé

Kelly Brownell is one of those big-government proponents getting more and more unpopular by the day. Their hypocrisies are being exposed, their lies debunked and their agenda and motives made all too clear (that they’re not kosher by any stretch). Here’s an example.

“The Associated Press reported a few years ago that Big Brother Brownell said he got a little bigger due to snacking and decreased physical activity while he wrote his book… ”

BrownellYup, I’d say there’s a bit of a paunch on that boy, wouldn’t you? (Once upon a time that was a sign of prosperity for a man – how things change).

Mr. Brownell, it appears you are jealous of the man who has the strength, conviction and ability to take charge of his own life and health. That’s not very “manly”. Nor is it worthy of respect. In fact, it’s rather childish. If Mr. Brownell is truly an advocate for reducing obesity etc. he would be praising this man and giving him the credit that’s due for hard work and perseverance in a very difficult and trying situation.

But no, he isn’t “big” enough to do that. He wants government to be “big enough” to do it for you. Sad.

In any event, Brownell admits it was his own lifestyle choices that led him to put on weight - yet puts down a man worthy of cheering on who lost 175 pounds off a 400 pound frame using nothing but personal responsbility for his own health and weight loss needs.

Perhaps the best advice we could give Brownell (both policy and dietary) is for him to shut his mouth. It doesn’t require heavy-handed government policies to do, and it works 100 percent of the time.

Couldn’t agree more. Major kudos to ConsumerFreedom.com for this “expose”: Brownell: Personal Responsibility Doesn’t Work (Except When it Does)

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March 2nd, 2010 Posted by fitnfree | Weightloss Wisdom | no comments