Tag: Food and Drug Division

Health ministry recalls blood-pressure drug

The Ministry of Health, via its Chemistry, Food and Drug Division, has announced a voluntary recall affecting specific lots of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, a generic medication used to treat hypertension.

The affected lots are 17232401 (expiring November 2025), 17232401 (expiring November 2025), 17232401 (expiring November 2025), 17240974 (expiring May 2026), 17240974 (expiring May 2026) and 17240974 (expiring May 2026).

The recall was initiated by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc in coordination with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after routine quality testing identified a potential cross-contamination issue. Trace amounts of another drug, ezetimibe, a medication used to treat high cholesterol, were detected in reserve samples of the product, which should not have been present in the blood-pressure medication.

A total of 11,136 bottles of these products have been affected by the recall.

While FDA’s classification of this recall is Class III, indicating that exposure to the trace contaminant is not likely to cause adverse health effects, the ministry is urging appropriate precaution.

The ministry advised that people who may have purchased or are currently in possession of the affected products to discontinue use immediately and return the medication to the place of purchase.

It said anyone with health concerns should consult with their healthcare provider as patients should not abruptly stop antihypertensive medication without professional guidance.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Director of the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division via email at cfdd@health.gov.tt or phone at 217-4664 ext 13101.

Recalled meat being removed from shelves

STORES have begun removing a recalled ready-to-eat product from shelves after the Health Ministry issued a voluntary recall on Thursday.

The product distributor, All Italian, issued an update on its Facebook page on Friday morning. It indicated the affected products were removed from its shelves after it was contacted by both the ministry and its supplier, Beretta, about the recall of Coppa cured meat from a specific batch.

“We would like to reassure our customers that we are complying with the instructions and have removed the Coppa. This is the Coppa 4 oz packs. The Ministry of Health has directed us that Antipasto 6 oz packs with Coppa are unaffected and safe,” All Italian said.

The ministry’s voluntary recall notice was issued on Thursday afternoon through its Chemistry, Food and Drug Division. The recall was for “an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat meat products containing Coppa, that may be under-processed and may have resulted in possible contamination with food borne pathogens.”

It continued, “Food borne pathogens such as salmonella or listeria can cause symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and fever within six hours to six days after eating the contaminated product.”

The products subject to recall display the establishment number “EST. M47967 or M7543B” inside the USDA mark of inspection or in inkjet print on the front of the package.

The ministry urged those who may have these recalled products to discontinue use immediately and to return the product to the place of purchase where possible.

Meanwhile, the Supermarkets’ Association president Rajiv Diptee told Newsday the issue was raised among the members and suppliers. He said assessments are ongoing to determine how much of the recalled product has been sold and if still available on shelves, it will be removed.

“For the recall issued by the Ministry of Health, we would strongly advise all retailers under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and the Consumer Affairs Division to do such in terms of refunding customers and collecting the item for disposal,” Diptee said.

“This is something that we will be working on to ensure that customers are not affected at this point.”

Health Ministry, Vemco recall Quaker Oats products

QUAKER Oats granola bars, Quaker oatmeal squares cinnamon and Quaker oatmeal squares brown sugar are part of a recall exercise by the Quaker Oats Company due to salmonella contamination.

In a release, the Health Ministry said there has been a revised voluntary recall notice for Quaker Oats granola bars as of January 11 due to possible salmonella contamination.

It said according to Quaker Oats, it has expanded its list of more than a dozen recalled products issued on December 15 to include additional cereals, bars and snacks, due to salmonella contamination.

The list includes Quaker Chewy granola bars (fruity fun) in the flavours of amazing apple, splendid strawberry, amazing apple and splendid strawberry variety pack, yogurt strawberry, yogurt blueberry, and yogurt variety packs; Cap’n Crunch Treats crunch berries cereal bar, Cap’n Crunch Treats bars variety pack, Cap’n Crunch Treats peanut butter crunch cereal bar, Cap’n Crunch Treats original crunch cereal bars.

Other products include Quaker Chewy granola breakfast cereal chocolate and strawberry variety pack, Quaker Chewy granola breakfast cereal chocolate, Quaker Chewy granola breakfast cereal strawberry, Quaker oatmeal squares cinnamon, Quaker oatmeal squares brown sugar, Quaker oatmeal squares honey nut, Cap’n Crunch OOPS! All Berries cereal, Cap’n Crunch cinnamon crunch cereal, Cap’n Crunch sea berry crunch cereal, Gamesa Marias cereal, Cap’n Crunch instant oatmeal, Cap’n Crunch OOPS! All Berries instant oatmeal, Gatorade protein bar, peanut butter chocolate protein bar, and Munchies snack mix (munch mix).

The ministry said salmonella is a dangerous bacterium which can lead to severe illnesses when it enters the blood stream. Most people who get sick from salmonella develop symptoms – such as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps – between six hours and six days after infection, according to the US Centers for Disease Control. More severe cases of infection may include aches, headaches, elevated fever, lethargy, rashes, blood in the urine or stool. In some instances, the illness may become fatal.

The Ministry of Health advises people who may be in possession of the recalled products to discontinue use immediately.

In addition, Vemco, in an advertisement said of the additional products identified – Quaker oatmeal squares cinnamon and Quaker oatmeal squares brown sugar were distributed in Trinidad and Tobago.

It said the Quaker oatmeal squares cinnamon were the 14.05 oz size, with the serial number 03000061534, with the expiry date range of January 11, 2024 to October 1, 2024. It said the Quaker oatmeal squares brown sugar were the 14.05 oz size, with the serial number 03000064412, with the expiry date range of January 11 to October 1.

Vemco said, “Out of an abundance of caution, and on guidance from our supplier, we are removing all the affected products (as outlined above) from stores.

“We are also asking that any consumers who have the product in their possession to immediately dispose of the items without consuming.”

The company said the recall only applies to these specific products as well as the four Quaker Chewy bars already recalled. It said no other Quaker products are impacted and are safe for consumption.

For additional information, contact Vemco at 1(868)226-4836 between 8 am and 4 pm.

Additionally, information can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Director of the Chemistry, Food and Drug Division via email at cfdd@health.gov.tt or phone 217-4664 ext 13101.

Health Ministry advises of recall of Himalayan pain relief tea

The Ministry of Health’s Chemistry, Food and Drug Division is advising the public about the recall of all lots of the Himalayan pain relief tea packets after it was discovered to be contaminated with undeclared drugs.

A release on Saturday from the ministry said the product is distributed by WS Global, based in Brooklyn, New York, and available for purchase online through Amazon.

The distributors issued the recall after diclofenac and dexamethasone were found in the ingredients. The product is used as tea and is packaged in a light-yellow box with six tea packets, printed with the barcode 0841920015.

The release said diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This hidden drug ingredient may interact with other medications and significantly increase the risk of adverse events, particularly when consumers use multiple non-steriodal anti-inflammatory products.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid commonly used to treat inflammatory conditions. The undeclared dexamethasone in Himalayan pain relief tea may cause serious side effects when combined with other medications, the release said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Ministry advises persons who may be in possession of the recalled product to discontinue use immediately and to return the product to the place of purchase where possible,” the statement said.

Additional Information can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Director of the Chemistry, Food and Drug Division at 217-4664 ext 13101 or via email at cfdd@health.gov.tt.