Latest news with #B.cereus


New York Post
17 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Children's cough syrup recalled due to possibly deadly food poisoning risk: ‘Stop using it immediately'
Parents: You might want to check your medicine cabinet. A New York-based pharmaceutical company is voluntarily recalling several batches of a popular children's cough syrup over fears they may be contaminated with harmful bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration is urging consumers to 'stop using it immediately' if they have any of the affected lots of Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup, according to an alert issued by the agency on Wednesday. Advertisement 3 The recalled product may contain Bacillus cereus Little Remedies The affected bottles were sold both in stores and online between Dec. 14, 2022, and June 4, 2025. The syrup comes in a 4-fluid-ounce amber bottle, packaged in an outer carton. Lot codes, which identify the recalled products, can be found on the bottle label and the bottom of the box. Advertisement The following five batches are affected: 3 FDA No other Little Remedies products are part of the recall. Syrup affected by the recall may be tainted with Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can lead to two types of food-borne illnesses, according to the FDA. Advertisement One causes nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps within six hours of exposure. The other triggers diarrhea and cramping, typically 8 to 16 hours after use. 3 The product is intended for children ages 1 year and older. redpepper82 – 'While healthy individuals may suffer only short-term illness, exposure to high levels of B. cereus can be fatal,' the agency said in an alert. So far, no illnesses have been reported. The FDA recommends that anyone experiencing symptoms seek medical attention and report any adverse reactions through their website. Advertisement Manufacturer, Medtech, is offering full refunds for the recalled products. Customers can contact the company directly by email at medicalaffairs@ through its website or by phone at (800) 754-8853 from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.


The Hill
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Hill
Children's cough syrup recalled over bacteria concerns
(WKBN) – The presence of a bacterium that can cause two types of foodborne illnesses has prompted the recall of multiple lots of a children's cough syrup, a notice posted to the Food and Drug Administration's website announced this week. Medtech Products Inc. is recalling five lots of Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup due to the presence of Bacillus cereus, as well as the 'loss of shelf-stability,' the company explained. The recalled products were distributed nationwide. They were sold 4-ounce bottles, both in stores and online, between Dec. 14, 2022, and June 4, 2025. Identifying information, including the UPC and lot numbers, as well as the expiration dates, can be found below: No other Little Remedies products were included in the recall. While no serious adverse events have been reported in connection to the cough syrup, the FDA warns that Bacillus cereus can cause short-term illness and, in some cases, lead to death. Bacillus cereus, or B. cereus, is a spore-forming bacterium that commonly exists in our environment, the Cleveland Clinic explains. Exposure to the toxin it creates can result in one of two types of illness — one described as a diarrheal syndrome and another as a vomiting syndrome. The first is characterized by cramps and watery diarrhea, while the second more commonly causes nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, Bacillus cereus infection can lead to death. Those who believe they may be suffering from an illness caused by Bacillus cereus are urged to contact a healthcare provider. Customers who purchased the recalled Little Remedies cough syrup are being told to discard the product. Those with questions or refund requests can reach Medtech at 1-800-754-8853, by email at medicalaffairs@ or through the company's website.


Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Cough Syrup Recall Sparks Nationwide Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Medtech Products Inc. is recalling the Little Remedies brand of Honey Cough Syrup due to fears the product may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus bacterium and concern over the product's shelf-life stability. Newsweek reached out to the company via email Wednesday for comment. Why It Matters Numerous recalls have been initiated in 2025 due to the potential of damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens. Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine "major" food allergens in the U.S. are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts. The FDA also warns that people who consume products containing Bacillus cereus may experience nausea, vomiting or stomach cramps from one to six hours after consumption or eight to 16 hours later. "Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term illness, exposure to high levels of foodborne B. cereus can cause death," the alert warns. What To Know In the alert, the FDA says the recalled product was distributed online and to nationwide retailers from December 14, 2022, to June 4, 2025. The alert has a chart showing UPC numbers with corresponding lot numbers and expiration dates for customers to reference. The recalled product was packaged in 4-fluid ounce bottles that are amber in color with an outside carton. Pictures of the recalled cough syrup are also in the FDA alert. The recall does not include other Little Remedies products, the agency says, adding that all lots of the Little Remedies Honey Cough 4-fluid ounce bottles "still within expiry are being included in the scope of the recall." There have been no "serious adverse events" related to the recall as of Wednesday, according to the FDA. What People Are Saying The FDA alert, in part: "Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Complete and submit the report Online: Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178." What Happens Next Customers who have purchased the recalled cough syrup are advised to stop using the product and consult a medial professional if experiencing adverse reactions, the FDA says. Those with refund questions may contact the company via email at medicalaffairs@ by website at Link Disclaimer or via phone at (800) 754-8853 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET weekdays.


Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Leftovers can kill: Fried rice syndrome and the food poisoning bacteria you have never heard of
1 2 We've all been there—ordering in, cooking extra, and saving that delicious fried rice for the next day. But what if that seemingly harmless leftover meal could be a ticking time bomb? In a tragic case reported in Belgium, in 2008, a young adult died suddenly after consuming rice contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The individual had eaten fried rice that had been left at room temperature for several days. Within hours of consumption, he experienced severe symptoms and died. This is based on information from the study "Sudden Death of a Young Adult Associated with Bacillus cereus Food Poisoning " published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. "On 1 October 2008, a 20-year-old man became sick after eating a meal of leftovers of spaghetti with tomato sauce, which had been prepared 5 days before and left in the kitchen at room temperature. After school, he warmed the spaghetti in the microwave oven. Immediately after eating, he left home for his sports activities, but he returned 30 min later because of headache, abdominal pain, and nausea. At his arrival, he vomited profusely for several hours and at midnight had two episodes of watery diarrhea. He did not receive any medication and drank only water. After midnight, he fell asleep. The next morning at 11:00 AM, his parents were worried because he did not get up. When they went to his room, they found him dead," the report says. Fried rice syndrome A few years later, an American ER doctor, Joe Whittington decided to create awareness around this common practice of handling food. He took to TikTok to share a video where he cautioned people to not eat pasta and rice dishes that have not been refrigerated properly. "This 20-year-old man died of a condition that's commonly referred to as 'fried rice syndrome'. This is a condition in which you have bacterial overgrowth if pasta or rice is left at room temperature for too long. In medical school, we're taught the phrase 'Reheat rice? Be serious!' to remember which bacteria [b. cereus] causes this condition. So, how long is too long? You should not eat pasta or rice left at room temperature, unrefrigerated, for more than two hours," Express UK quoted him. Tips to handle leftover rice and pasta Bacillus cereus is a type of bacteria commonly found in soil and on raw foods. It thrives in starchy foods like rice, pasta, and potatoes. When these foods are cooked and then left at room temperature, B. cereus can multiply rapidly, producing toxins that cause food poisoning. "A broad range of foods have been implicated as vehicles of B. cereus. These include boiled or fried rice, cooked vegetables and meats, pasta, vanilla sauce, custards, casseroles, pastries, salads, soups, ice cream, and herbs and spices," USDA NIFA has said. While Bacillus cereus food poisoning is often mild and resolves without treatment, the potential for severe illness or death as in the case cited above exists, especially if food is mishandled. By following simple food safety practices , you can enjoy your leftovers without worry. Remember, when it comes to food safety, it's always better to be cautious than sorry. Preventing B. cereus food poisoning is straightforward with proper food handling practices: Refrigerate cooked rice within two hours of cooking. If the room temperature is above 32°C (90°F), refrigerate within one hour. Keep leftovers in shallow containers to allow for quick cooling. When reheating rice, ensure it reaches a temperature of 75°C (165°F) to kill any bacteria present. If in doubt, throw it out. It's better to waste a little food than risk your health. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now