Rural Spotlight

HVP (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein) Recall

Basic Food Flavors of Las Vegas, Nevada has recalled all of the hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) it has produced in powder and paste form it has produced since September 17, 2009, due to potential contamination with salmonella.  HVP goes into many other products such as dips, dressings, sauces, gravies, chili, soups, seasonings, hot dogs, seasoned snack foods, and seasoning mixes to enhance flavor and texture of processed foods.  For some processed foods that contain HVP, they also receive a thorough cook, and thus an adequate “kill step” for salmonella.  For some foods such as dip mixes containing HVP, or seasoned snack foods containing HVP, there is no kill step, and thus a potential for consumers being exposed to salmonella in the food.  Various companies have begun issuing recalls because their products contain HVP produced by Basic Food Flavors, Inc.  FDA is also recommending recalls of certain products containing HVP that might be eaten by consumers without any processing or cooking steps to address the potential risk. There is the potential for this to continue for an extended time due to the vast number of products containing HVP.  There is a searchable database of recalled products on FDA’s website at www.fda.gov  which will be updated as new products are added to the recall.  We suggest that agencies review the list of products a couple of times a week and to be aware of the potential for illness related to consumption of products with HVP produced by Basic Food Flavors, Inc.  At this time there are no reported illnesses associated with this contamination. 

If the situation changes dramatically, and DHSS is aware of illnesses associated with products containing contaminated HVP and distributed in Missouri, we will issue a recall about these specific products and the most complete distribution information that we receive. 

Please visit our websites for further information regarding food safety.
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/EHOG_manual/
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/EnvironmentalChildCare/
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/FoodSafety/
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Lodging/
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Lead/
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Onsite/

K2 Synthetic Marijuana Use Among Teenagers and Young Adults in Missouri

Updated information is available on the synthetic marijuana product, K2. Information includes signs and symptoms that present with the use of K2, and recommendations by the Missouri Regional Poison Center.

Click here for more information.

H1N1 Response Summary

The Department of Health and Senior Services' Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism has a newly updated response summary for the recent H1N1 outbreak. The six page brief is an overview of Missouri’s response effort during the H1N1 pandemic.  This updated version captures the broader public health and partner contributions to the overall response to the H1N1 pandemic. 

Read the response summary by clicking here.

Rural Kids Participating in Dangerous Game

New research suggests kids in rural settings are more likely to play a dangerous choking game that has become popular in recent years.  Around 8,000 eighth graders in Oregon were surveyed for the study.  More than a quarter of them admitted to participating in the act of choking in order to get a feeling of euphoria. 

Read more about the research here. 

Rural Versus Urban in the Health Care Debate

Researchers have determined there is a discrepancy between health insurance among rural citizens and their urban counterparts. That topic has been made a part of Washington's discussion about health care reform and what needs to be done to make sure all citizens have an equal opportunity to be insured. Read this article.

Antiviral Medication and Flu Testing

In a continued effort to keep individuals up to date on the status of diagnosis and treatment for the H1N1 virus, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has released the latest in a series of health updates.  This one highlights various aspects of using antiviral medication, such as Tamiflu and the frequent questions that come with it. Find the health update here.

Click here for information from the Medical Learning Network on resources available for health care professionals working with seasonal flu sufferers.

CDC Annnounces Guidelines for Handling H1N1

EMS workers and other medically trained individuals don't always have time in the field to get a patient's medical history before making decisions about their care. The Centers for Disease Control has set up guidelines they suggest be followed in situations that involve suspected H1N1 flu. Read more here.

Update on H1N1 in Pregnant Women

The H1N1 flu virus continues to spread. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will update information related to this virus as it becomes available. Recent information was released regarding precautions that are suggested for pregnant women to take to avoid getting sick. Read the current information here.

With Just a Click, Determine Your Risk

Do you know if you are at risk for high blood pressure? The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, in partnership with the American Heart Association, is offering a free online risk assessment calculator.

The calculator uses your height, weight, blood pressure and other factors to determine your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. The risk calculator also estimates how lifestyle changes such as reducing your sodium and daily exercise can lower blood pressure and other health risks.

After taking the test, the risk assessment calculator generates a report that you can take to your next doctor’s appointment. The risk assessment only takes a few minutes. Click here to find it.

Highlighting Positive Results

Health and Human Services’ Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently released the first in a series of health care “success story” reports that document innovative programs and initiatives that can serve as models for a reformed American health care system. The inaugural report highlights the Michigan Keystone ICU Project, a joint partnership between the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Johns Hopkins University. The Michigan Keystone ICU Project helped dramatically reduce the number of health care - associated infections in Michigan, saving over 1,500 lives and $200 million. The goal of the Michigan Keystone ICU Project, which was initially funded by AHRQ, was to make patient care safer in over 100 ICUs in the state of Michigan by reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections. To help reduce these infections, clinicians were asked to implement a safety protocol that included a simple checklist. Select to read the HHS press release.