Weekly ‘Recall Roundup’

~The salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeno peppers has grown to 32 states as more than 400 people across the country have reported illnesses, U.S. health regulators said Wednesday.  According to the CDC, a total of 431 people have reported illnesses tied to the current outbreak strain of salmonella.  Of those illnesses, 57 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

Illnesses began between June 19 and Aug. 2.  The CDC said 203 of the 224 people it interviewed said they reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before falling ill, including Chipotle, Mexican Grill and QDOBA.  Dozens of jalapenos and jalapeno products have been recalled as a result of the outbreak.  Consumers are urged by the health agencies to review product information and to not eat products containing the recalled jalapenos.

Salmonella symptoms can include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.  They typically begin between six hours and six days after consuming the bacteria, and most people recover within a week.  Children younger than 5 years old, adults over 65 years old, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness, the CDC said.

~A dog food company has voluntarily recalled all of its fresh meals after receiving reports that a recent recipe change may be linked to a painful eye condition in dogs that can lead to vision loss if left untreated.  Years is urging customers to stop feeding its fresh meals to dogs “immediately” and not give the food to other animals, donate it or sell it.  As of Tuesday, the company said it received 192 reports of potential, but unverified eye problems among dogs.  Years said it has about 40,000 customers.

The company said it began receiving multiple complaints in July about dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye.  The condition, known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS, occurs when a dog does not produce enough tears.  It can cause redness, irritation and significant discomfort and, if untreated, can result in more serious eye damage and vision loss.

Years said its investigation is focused on a potential issue involving buckwheat, an ingredient in some of its meals.  The company stressed that buckwheat itself has not been determined to be the cause.  The company offers subscription-based personalized meals and also sells its products through some retailers, including Pets at Home.

The recall affects all Years fresh meals except those in its Chef’s Collection, the brand’s limited-edition premium line.  The investigation remains ongoing, and Years said the reported cases have not yet been independently verified.  The company said it will publish its findings once the investigation is complete.

~Oma’s Pride, a dog food brand, is recalling one lot of its Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe due to salmonella contamination.  The Food and Drug Administration issued a recall notice Monday for the 6-pound bags of the pet food after the regulatory agency received a consumer complaint.  The FDA said it received three reports of illnesses in dogs in relation to the recall.  The complaint prompted a sample of the product, which tested positive for salmonella.

The recalled product is a frozen raw dog food sold in a 6 lb. gusseted stand-up pouch containing 12 individually-wrapped, 8 oz. vacuum-sealed portions.  Consumers who purchased the affected lot should stop feeding the product immediately, safely dispose of the product, and contact Oma’s Pride for a refund.  Additionally, pet owners should wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups and storage containers.

~Thousands of popular eye drops used to treat red and scratchy eyes are being recalled nationwide because they may be contaminated, according to the FDA.  More than 30,000 bottles of the popular Clear Eyes brand are being recalled due to a lack of assurance of sterility and possible contamination, according to an FDA enforcement report.  The recall was initiated at the end of July and is classified as a Class II recall, meaning use of or exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, according to the FDA.

~A frozen blueberries recall reported in July has now been upgraded to the most severe level by the Food and Drug Administration.  The FDA has issued a “Class 1 Risk Classification” for the blueberries.  The FDA says a Class 1 recall is a “situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The recall was initiated by Frtas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of Chile following a dozen reports of consumers experiencing E. coli-linked digestive illnesses, Publix said.  The affected lot was placed in 10-oz packages with lot code 60401 and a Feb. 9, 2028, best-by date.

Consumers are advised to discard the blueberries or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.  For questions, consumers should email Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or call 336-899-5612 during standard business hours.

~More than 48,000 Toyota pickup trucks are under recall because a faulty shock absorber oil reservoir could detach while driving and pose a road hazard.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall notice earlier this month for 48, 280 2024-2025 Toyota Tacoma and 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid vehicles.  Certain vehicles may have a defect causing the oil reservoir to detach, posing a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Consumers with affected vehicles can have their cars checked at a Toyota dealership at no extra cost.  The dealer will check the front and rear shock absorbers and replace the affected ones with improved shock absorbers.  Owners will be notified by October 5, 2026, if their vehicle is affected.