The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Three companies recall blood pressure medications due to possible contamination with a carcinogen

Several prescription drugs containing the active ingredient valsartan, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, are being recalled because they may contain an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, a probable human carcinogen.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the presence of NDMA could be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured.

The FDA’s review includes investigating the levels of NDMA in the recalled products, assessing the possible effect on patients who have been taking them, and what measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate the impurity from future batches produced by the company.

Prescription drug blister packages recalled by Sandoz and Novartis because they don’t meet child-resistant closure requirements

About 470,000 blister packages of prescription medication are being recalled by Sandoz and Novartis.

The prescription drug packaging isn’t child resistant as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk if swallowed by children.

The firms have received one report of a child ingesting haloperidol from a blister pack.

Baccus recalls Stanley workbench LED light and power stations due to shock hazards

Baccus is recalling about 20,000 Stanley workbench LED light and power stations.

The recalled workbench and power stations are wired incorrectly, which can result in reverse polarity, posing shock and electrocution hazards.

The firm has received three reports of the units being wired incorrectly. No injuries have been reported.

Aluminum telescoping ladders recalled by Werner due to fall hazard

Werner is recalling about 78,000 multi-purpose telescoping aluminum ladders.

The ladders can break while being used by consumers, posing a fall hazard.

The firm has received one report of a ladder breaking while in use, resulting in one injury to the left side and elbow of the consumer.

Kellogg recalls Honey Smacks cereal after Salmonella sickens dozens

Kellogg Co. is recalling some 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of its Honey Smacks cereal because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recall is based on preliminary evidence linking the cereal to more than 73 illnesses in 31 states. Twenty-four people, from age 1 to 87, have been hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths have been reported.

Kellogg launched an investigation with a third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks after being contacted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about reported illnesses.

60 people sickened in eight states after eating pre-cut melons

Caito Foods is recalling pre-cut fresh watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and mixed fruit containing one of the melons produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Sixty illnesses have been linked to the strain of Salmonella under investigation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caito Foods has stopped producing and distributing pre-cut melons as the company and as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continue their investigation.

The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Because products shipped between April 17 and June 7 could still be on store shelves, the recall is for retailers and consumers.

Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, Kroger, and Walgreens are among the stores where the pre-cut melons were sold. Click here for a list of products included in this recall.

Second recall issued for smoked sausage due to possible plastic contamination

A Texas meatpacker is recalling 9 tons of smoked sausage because it may be contamination with soft plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday.

In May, Eddy Packing Co. issued an earlier recall on nearly 25 tons of smoked sausage that was possibly contaminated with hard plastic.

The latest recall involves 10-pound cases of Carl's Pork and Beef Smoked Sausage on a Stick. The sausage packages have a lot code 8073, case code PS9319, a sell-by date of March 14, 2019. The USDA marker is "EST 4800.

Fiat Chrysler recalls 4.8 million vehicles because cruise control could get stuck in the ‘on’ position

Photo: IFCAR

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling more than 4.8 million vehicles because drivers may not be able to turn the cruise control off.

U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration strongly encourages vehicle owners to follow the FCA warning and not use cruise control until the cars, SUVs, and trucks are repaired.

If this error happens, drivers may be able to stop the vehicle by pressing the brake pedal. The vehicle can then be placed into park when it’s stopped. Drivers can also (1) shift the transmission to neutral, (2) forcefully apply the manual brake, and (3) put the vehicle in park when it stops.

Affected models, identified by FCA, are:

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling 1 million chainsaws because they may keep running after they're turned off

Harbor Freight tools is recalling about 1.02 million 14-inch electric chainsaws.

The power switch can malfunction and allow the chainsaw to continue operating after the operator moves the switch to the “off” position, posing a serious injury hazard to the operator.

Harbor Freight Tools has received 15 reports of chainsaws continuing to operate after being turned off, resulting in three lacerations including one serious injury to an arm requiring stitches.

35 cases of salmonella linked to eggs from Rose Acre Farms since outbreak, says CDC

More illnesses are being confirmed in an outbreak of Salmonella traced to eggs from Rose Acre Farms. The farm has now recalled more than 207 million eggs.

Since the outbreak was announced on April 16, public health officials have reported a dozen more cases of Salmonella infection to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Thursday, 35 people in nine states have been confirmed with Salmonella Braenderup, with 11 victims admitted to hospitals. No deaths have been reported. The states involved include Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.