ZICAM RECALL: Microbial contamination could lead to life-threatening blood infections

WASHINGTON, DC—Church & Dwight Co. is recalling all lots of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs due to potential fungal contamination in the cotton swab components, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced. The FDA warned that swabs containing microbial contamination could pose a significant health risk, including serious and life-threatening […]

FDA restricts COVID vaccine recommendations to high-risk groups

BALTIMORE, MD—In a surprise move, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will now only recommend COVID-19 vaccines for adults aged 65 and older, as well as individuals at risk of severe illness. This decision marks a significant shift from the current recommendation of annual vaccination for everyone aged six months and older. The FDA stated that manufacturers will now […]

FSIS issues health alert for various soup and bowl products due to possible wood contamination

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for contaminated soup and bowl products containing wood in cilantro, an FDA-regulated ingredient. The contamination is due to an FDA-regulated ingredient, cilantro, which may contain foreign material. The affected products include several varieties of soup and bowl products from Campbell’s, Health Request, Life […]

Chesapeake Bay region lawmakers reintroduce bill to boost conservation practices

BALTIMORE, MD—A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers from the Chesapeake Bay region reintroduced legislation this week to support farmers adopting conservation practices that will improve water quality in the Bay and its tributaries. The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act proposes five changes to the next Farm Bill to encourage farmers to implement voluntary conservation practices. The Chesapeake Bay Task Force Co-chairs […]

Maryland AG joins coalition against counterfeit weight loss drugs

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a bipartisan coalition of 37 states and territories urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on the sale of counterfeit weight loss and diabetes drugs. The coalition’s letter highlights the dangers of these counterfeit medications, which include Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy (GLP-1 drugs). The letter, co-led by […]

Two biotech CEOs convicted in fraud scheme involving COVID-19 drug

BALTIMORE, MD—Two CEOs were convicted by a federal jury in Maryland for a scheme to defraud investors about a drug being developed to treat HIV and COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Nader Pourhassan, 61, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Kazem Kazempour, 71, of Potomac, Maryland, were found guilty of the scheme involving CytoDyn Inc., a publicly traded […]

Grimmway Farms recalls organic whole, baby carrots that may be in homes due to possible E. coli contamination

WASHINGTON—Grimmway Farms has issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots that should no longer be in grocery stores but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. These products may have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19. E. coli O121:H19 is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in […]

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to take place on Saturday

BALTIMORE, MD—National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 2024 will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The event is free and anonymous, and it aims to provide residents with a safe and convenient way to dispose of prescription drugs. This event is hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and takes place every year. DEA and state and local partners […]