The sprouts are sold under the brand names

• Caldwell Fresh Foods in 4-oz plastic cups, 1-lb plastic bags, 2- and 5-lb plastic bags in cardboard boxes with a Caldwell Fresh Foods sticker
• Nature’s Choice in 4-oz plastic cups
• California Exotics brands in 5-oz plastic clam-shell containers

FDA reminds the public that children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid all kinds of raw sprouts, even those grown at home.

From the FDA:

All consumers and restaurant/delicatessen operators should immediately stop using Caldwell Fresh Foods raw alfalfa sprouts. FDA reminds consumers that children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean sprouts). More information for consumers about avoiding the risks associated with eating sprouts is available. from FoodSafety.Gov.

The Centers for Disease Control are also investigating the outbreak.  More information is available from the CDC.

On January 23, 2010 the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that the Rhode Island company, Daniele International, was recalling over a million pounds of ready-to-eat Italian sausages, including salami.  The USDA FSIS lists the products being recalled.

The Rhode Island Department of Health found the salmonella Montevideo strain in an open container of black pepper at Daniele, Inc.  That particular brand of pepper is only distributed to Daniele, limiting risk of contamination of foods from other manufacturers.  Daniele is recalling all its products that contain black pepper.

The CDC provides the following information about salmonella infections, which may be of particular worry to people with cancer where chemotherapy has compromised their immune systems and to the elderly.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts from 4 to 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

If you have questions about the recall you can contact the Daniele hotline at (888) 345-4160.

The CDC warns that potentially contaminated products may still be in stores or in home freezers.  Check the list of recalled meats on the USDA FSIS list and either return the package to the store or seal it securely so it cannot be eaten by people or animals and throw it in the trash.

King Nut Companies distribute both the King Nut and Parnell’s Pride brands of  peanut butter for institutional use.  However, they are both manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America.  Parnell’s Pride is also distributed by other companies.

King Nut does not sell peanut butter directly to consumers, but distributes it to food service accounts only.  None of the other King Nut products are affected by the recall.

Martin Kanin, President and CEO of King Nut Companies said,

We are very sorry this happened. We are taking immediate and voluntary action because the health and safety of those who use our products is always our highest priority.

The round, orange tablets have ETHEX on one side and 311 on the other.  Lots being recalled are numbers 77946, 81141 and 81142.

Taking a higher than prescribed dose of dextroamphetamine might increase side effects of the drug including rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, tremors, decreased appetite  headache, insomnia, dizziness, blurred vision, stomach upset, or dry mouth.

ETHEX is not the only manufacturer or marketer of generic dextroamphetamine so you should check your tablets carefully to find out where they came from.

If you have questions about your medicine or side effects, talk to your doctor or your pharmacist.

You can also contact ETHEX Customer Service at 1-800-321-1705 or email  customer-service@ethex.com. Representatives available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm CST.