Missouri | DHSS notified of contaminated radioactive tissue box covers

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 14, 2012 in Missouri, USA

Jefferson City | 13 Jan 2012

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources received notice from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that metal tissue box covers from a product line delivered to Bed, Bath and Beyond retail stores throughout the United States may contain cobalt-60, a radioactive substance.

Further investigation found that 12 tissue box covers (Model DR9M Dual Ridge Metal Boutique) were delivered to a Bed Bath and Beyond store at 10770 Sunset Hill Plaza in St. Louis. Six of those tissue box covers have been identified and placed in a secure location to prevent any potential exposure. The remaining six items are thought to have been sold to customers.

DHSS is working with store management to ensure contact with customers so the products can be returned. The Bed, Bath and Beyond corporate office has indicated the Sunset Hills location is the only store in Missouri to have received tissue box covers from this product line.

Anyone who may have purchased the item is advised to return the item to the store for a refund. Bed, Bath and Beyond has posted additional information online at bedbathandbeyond.com. Customers may also call the company at 1-800-462-3966.

DHSS will continue to work with Bed, Bath and Beyond as well as state and federal partners to ensure all contaminated products are returned to a Bed, Bath and Beyond location and appropriately secured.

Missouri | DHSS releases statement regarding Cronobacter Sakazakii bacteria in formula

Posted by Hal Newman on Dec 22, 2011 in Missouri, USA

Jefferson City | The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released the following statement on Dec. 22, 2011 regarding the Cronobacter Sakazakii (formerly referred to as Enterobacter sakazakii) case.

• Samples have been sent to the CDC and FDA labs and test results are pending.
• Until testing is completed it cannot be determined whether the illness is linked to Enfamil Newborn Formula 12.5 oz. cans Lot # ZP1K7G or an outside source.
• Consumers who have purchased formula with that lot number should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase.
• Officials at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services are advising parents to continue to follow the World Health Organization Guidelines for the Safe Preparation, Storage and Handling of powdered infant formula.
• This includes washing your hands with soap and water, thoroughly sterilizing all feeding equipment in hot, soapy water and preparing enough formula for only one feeding at a time.
• Read the complete guidelines.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is communicating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug and Administration and will not have any new information to release until testing has been completed by CDC and FDA.