Massive Peanut Butter Recall Expands beyond California

Previously, more than a dozen brands of peanut butter and almond butter manufactured by Sunland, Inc. have been voluntarily recalled all over the country following a salmonella outbreak.

According to recent news reports, at least 29 people were left sick with the disease in 18 states across the country.

Initially, the said recall only affected Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter at Trader Joe’s grocery store. But now, the product recall became significantly massive, affecting all peanut butters manufactured by Sunland.

The Consumer Protection Commissioner, William M. Rubenstein, said that the massive product recall affects a far greater number of brands than earlier thought.

Rubenstein added that it is important that consumers, school cafeterias, restaurants, hospitals, and other food preparation sites check their food storage for the products recalled. He likewise reminded people who have any of the recalled products to return the same from the store where they purchased it for a full refund. He warned them against eating those contaminated products. 

At present, the Department of Consumer Protection is working to inspect and ensure compliance with the said recall.

The FDA calls for the attention of everyone to check the date of manufacturing of all peanut butters in their shelves and cabinets. Those products that were manufactured by Sunland, Inc. between May 1 and September 24 could be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, an organism that can cause serious illness and sometimes death to humans.

Incidentally, three of the peanut butters recalled are available at Trader Joe’s. Therefore, the said grocery store chain removed those items from its store shelves and had them destroyed, according to a notice posted in its official website.

So far, other states that recently reported cases of salmonella illnesses that have been linked to peanut butter include California, New Jersey, Washington, Arizona, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Apparently, the peanut butter products were distributed nationwide to several huge supermarket chains. Therefore, the number of contamination cases is more likely to increase if both consumers and federal regulators failed to provide significant attention to the product recall, speculated a Los Angeles personal injury attorney.

On the other hand, if such products caused injury or illnesses, victims can possibly mount a product liability claim against the manufacturer since it failed to provide safe and uncontaminated product for its consumers.

Lindsay Lohan Arrested for Hit-and-run after Striking Pedestrian

Photo gives credit to Daily Mail.

The Mean Girls star, Lindsay Lohan was reportedly busted again on early morning last Wednesday after being charged with hit-and-run.

According to reports, Lohan was about to park her Porsche Cayenne at the Dream Hotel, a luxury Manhattan hotel, when her car allegedly hit the knee of Manhattan chef Jose Rodriguez. Shortly thereafter, Lohan and her other passengers allegedly stepped out of the car to check for vehicle damage and then proceeded into the hotel to attend an event as if nothing happened.

After the event, when Lindsay came out from the hotel, she was subsequently arrested by the New York police who were called by the victim for assistance.

Meanwhile, although the 34-year-old pedestrian did not sustain severe injury, he was still transported to Bellevue Hospital after complaining of pain. According to the attending physicians who examined Rodriguez, he had torn tendons, and he was given morphine for the pain.

Consequently, the 26-year-old actress was booked for a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a pedestrian accident. However, she was later released with a desk appearance ticket, which means that she was not required by the police to pay bail. Moreover, Lohan was required to appear in court on October 23.

Furthermore, according to police commissioner Raymond Kelly, no breathalyzer test had been conducted during Lohan’s arrest since law enforcers believed that Lohan was sober.

Unfortunately for Lohan, the said incident could trigger her previous probations once a jury ruled that it was a violation of her probation terms. It is more likely that the young actress would face longer jail time or community service, cited by a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer.

It could be remembered that aside from her previous road mishaps, Lohan was also charged with theft just a while ago. Therefore, further engagement in troubles could definitely mean a more serious predicament for her.

NFL Donates $30 Million for Brain Injury Research

Surprisingly, among all institutions, the National Football League (NFL) awarded a huge amount of donation to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund brain injury research.

In its years of history, this was said to be the first time that the football league donated such a huge amount of money. The donation that amounted to $30 million is typically distributed in a grant system.

According to a statement released by the NIH, it is way too early to determine how the money will be distributed or whether it will benefit any of the numerous brain research centers in San Diego.

Incidentally, the UCSD Department of Radiology has previously received donation from NFL charities to fund brain injury researches on high school and college athletes. Consequently, if the department will receive another grant this time, it will help the team in pursuing its ongoing research.

Meanwhile, the Professor of Radiology in Residence, Dr. Ronald R. Lee, claimed in a statement that although football is a great game, professional experts like him need to protect players. Lee further said that that it is very important to learn more about brain injuries and to make accurate diagnosis such as when it is already safe for players to go back into the game.

Furthermore, the donation was also meant to benefit homecoming soldiers with head injuries. In fact, approximately 20 percent of the veterans coming back to San Diego, California from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would benefit from the grant.

Researchers in San Diego admitted that there is a lot more research that needs to be accomplished on brain injuries. Therefore, the NFL’s generous donation will definitely make a big difference to this cause.

Also, Lee added in his statement that he and his co-researchers are quite aware that aside from brain injuries, football players could have many other injuries. However, Lee claimed that the brain is the most important organ of the body, which is why it is the most important concern of the researchers.

At present, about 3,400 former and current NFL players have already sued the league over brain injury claims or concussions.

Probably, the NFL’s overwhelming complaints over brain injury have majorly contributed to the league’s drive to donate such a huge amount of grant to brain injury research despite the rumors that it is currently struggling following the nation’s economic downfall. However, several personal injury lawyers are glad upon knowing that the league has finally made its great move to prevent further brain injuries among its players.

California Approves Spinal Cord Injury Research Bill

A spinal cord injury research bill authored by Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) was recently approved by way of 46 to 27 voting during the California State Assembly last August 27.

The bill, titled AB 1657, aimed to raise funds to sustain a program backed by disability rights advocates, biotech industry, and neuro-scientists that provide important research into spinal cord injuries.

At present, the approved bill is awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s approval. Once the California governor signed the bill, it will finally become a law.

While being victorious with the initial success earned by his proposed bill, Wieckowski in his statement claimed that by putting the best scientific minds to work in universities, a state of the art research that will improve the quality of life for thousands of Californians with spinal cord injury will be achieved. The bill does not only give hope to the disabled but also shows that the Golden State’s current leaders want to maintain its position in the field of bioscience, Wieckowski added.

It can be remembered that way back in 2000, the state’s program called “The Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund” was created. The said fund is run out of the University of California and supervised out of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at UC Irvine.

Furthermore, it was initially funded out of the state general fund; however, upon years of budget deficit, its funding has been eliminated. Originally, for every dollar in state funds invested, $5 of federal funds was received.

Now, the bill would fund the program through a $1 penalty on every moving traffic violation. In fact, aside from California, at least seven other U.S. states use the same method to collect funds for spinal cord injury research.

Wieckowski further explained that traffic accidents are the major cause of spinal cord injuries in the county. Through the said bill, drivers are expected to become more responsible and vigilant while behind the wheel to avoid being charged with extra penalties. 

Meanwhile, advocates of the bill include the University of California, the huge industry group, Bay Bio, The California Healthcare Institute, the Boston Scientific, and other teams of medical researchers throughout the state.

Apparently, the approval of the said bill comes in line with the previous declaration of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie proclaiming the month of September as spinal cord injury awareness month. Of course, California would not miss its opportunity to show the nation that like any other states, California likewise intends to lead the way to cure paralysis, claimed a Los Angeles injury lawyer.