More Products May Cause ‘Life-Threatening Sepsis’: Recall Roundup

The recalls of both hand soaps posing a risk of “life-threatening sepsis” and potentially radioactive shrimp have been expanded to include more products and brands, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Also, frozen vegetables sold in six states and the District of Columbia have been recalled after inspectors in Pennsylvania found listeria contamination.

In other recall news, some 3 million attic fans have been recalled because the electric motors may short-circuit and start a fire. The manufacturer has taken nearly 160 reports of attic fires associated with the fan motors.

Here’s what you need to know about these and other recalls:

‘Life-Threatening Sepsis’: Recall Expanded

New Jersey-based DermaRite has expanded its recall of hand soaps with the potential to cause “life-threatening sepsis,” according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The potential microbial contamination in the products was identified as Burkholderia cepacia complex, which the agency said poses a particular risk to immunosuppressed individuals or caregivers attending to them.

“For healthy individuals with minor skin lesions, the use of the product may result in local infections, whereas in immunocompromised individuals the infection could spread into the blood stream, potentially leading to life-threatening sepsis,” the FDA said.

Sixteen new products have been added to the recall list, bringing the total to nearly three dozen. A full product list is found on the FDA website.

• Related: ‘Life-Threatening Sepsis’ Possible With These Hand Soaps

Massive Radioactive Shrimp Recall Expanded Again

More brands have been added to an already massive recall of potentially radioactive shrimp as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns consumers of the dangers associated with eating it.

A pair of recent recall notices are tied to an ongoing investigation by the agency into the detection of Cesium-137 in shipping containers at four U.S. ports. Indonesia-based BMS Foods issued a recall after a sample of its breaded shrimp tested positive for Cs-137.

In the latest recall, Southwind Foods was recalling bagged frozen shrimp products sold under various brand names in nine states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

A full product list can be found on the FDA website.

Also, AquaStar (USA) Corp. of Seattle recalled about 26,460 packages of cocktail shrimp and about 18,000 bags of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp.

The cocktail shrimp was sold in Walmart stores in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

More information can be found on the FDA website.

Earlier, the FDA warned consumers not to eat Walmart’s Great Value brand frozen shrimp products without checking to see if they’re involved in the recall. The shrimp was distributed to Walmart stores in 13 states, including Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

More information can be found on the FDA website.

Frozen Vegetables May Have Listeria Bacteria

Mount Vernon, New York-based Endico Potatoes has recalled certain lots of its peas and carrots and mixed vegetables after inspectors in Pennsylvania detected Listeria monocytogenes during routine testing, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

No illnesses have been reported, the agency said. Listeria can cause serious infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may experience mild symptoms like fever and stomach pain, but listeria can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

The affected products were distributed between July 18 and Aug. 4 in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

They were packaged in 2.5-pound clear plastic bags. The specific lot codes, printed on the side of the bag, are:

• Peas and carrots: lot 110625, production date 6/11/25, use by date 6/10/27
• Mixed vegetables: lot 170625, production date 6/17/25, use by date 6/16/27

Consumers who have purchased the affected vegetables should not eat them. They can get a full refund by returning them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions may be directed to the company at 800-431-1398.

3M Attic Fans Recalled Due To Fire Risk

Dallas-based Air Vent Inc. is recalling about 3 million electric motors for gable- and roof-mounted attic fans
because they pose a risk of sparking a fire, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recalled motor’s safety cutoff may short-circuit, creating a fire hazard, according to the notice. The company said it received 159 reports of fires related to the recalled attic fan motors. No injuries have been reported.

The fans were sold at stores and wholesale retailers nationwide from about August 2003 to December 2013 for between $74 and $92.

Customers should stop using the fans and contact Air Vent for a refund. They’ll be asked to fill out an online registration and verification form with photos of the fan motor.

More on the affected models and refund process are found on the CPCS website.

AR-15 Chamber Locks Devices Recalled

StopBox USA is recalling about 300 of its AR-15 Chamber Lock Pro Firearm Locks because they can be forcibly removed, allowing for unauthorized or unintended access to the firearm or serious injury or death, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the “manufacturing defect,” the notice said.

The safety devices were sold at StopBox USA in its stores, online and by dealers nationwide in June and July for about $150.

People who bought them are entitled to either a refund or replacement, the company said. More information is found on the CPSC website.

Trader Joe’s Pizzas Recalled

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued an alert last week telling consumers in California they should check their freezers for Trader Joe’s pizzas purchased over the last couple of months.

The agency said a batch of the frozen not-ready-to-eat uncured pepperoni pizza contained product imported from Italy without “the benefit of inspection.”

The problem was discovered by Trader Joe’s, which notified the FSIS. The agency said there have been no reports of illness or adverse medical reactions associated with the products.

Consumers who have the pizzas in their freezers should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

More information is found on the FSIS website.