- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Dec 29,2010
Act will impact manufacturers with sales over $500,000, as well as private label retailers
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, expected to be signed into law shortly by President Barack Obama, will set the bar higher for food manufacturers, processors and importers, as well as retailers of private label products, according to attorney Janice Lai, a partner in LeClairRyan’s Hartford office. Among other things, the legislation is aimed at giving the Food and Drug Administration the power to mandate food recalls involving fruit and vegetable products, while setting new food safety standards for manufacturers and food processors, and requiring the industry to better track shipments.
“This is positive legislation that balances the interests of both the consumer and food manufacturer,” says Lai, an experienced litigator who focuses her practice on product liability, food litigation insurance defense, and complex civil litigation. ”The bill ensures that contaminated foods, as well as those containing unwholesome or adulterated ingredients, do not reach consumers and grocery shelves.”
Currently, the FDA “has no authority to recall foods,” Lai notes. “They can make recommendations for recalls, but cannot mandate one. With passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, they will have that power.”
The legislation requires manufacturers and food processors to evaluate and identify food safety hazards in their facilities, implement preventive controls, and document those measures to the FDA, she says. The legislation also gives the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary greater ability to track and trace foods. Read the rest of this entry »
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- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Dec 28,2010
As the number of non-English speakers seeking healthcare in the United States continues to grow, so does the need for medical interpreters who can serve as a liaison between patients and their doctors. The demand for medical interpreters is expected to increase even more when new standards go into effect on January 1, 2011 requiring healthcare organizations to provide an interpreter to patients who speak limited English.
Federal laws have been on the books for years requiring medical institutions to provide interpreters to non-native speakers, but there has been little enforcement of the provisions until recently. Now the Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies more than 18,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States, is establishing new standards effective in January requiring hospitals to provide language interpreting and translation services.
The new provisions are expected to further fuel the demand for medical interpreters, which were already in short supply. Even before the new standards were introduced, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted jobs for interpreters and translators would grow by 22 percent over the next decade, faster than the average for all other occupations. Meanwhile a nationwide survey of 4,700 doctors, conducted by the nonprofit Center for Studying Health System Change, found that only 55.8 percent of practices with non-English speaking patients provide interpreting services, and 40 percent offer patient-education materials in languages other than English. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Dec 28,2010
Palladium Equity Partners announced today that one of its affiliates has acquired Jordan Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (“Jordan” or the “Company”). Terms were not disclosed.
Founded in 1975, Jordan is one of the largest providers of home healthcare in Texas. Jordan offers home health services to pediatric and adult patients, including personal care, home management and skilled nursing, to Medicaid and/or Medicare eligible patients throughout the state.
Roy Serpa, CEO of Jordan Health Services, said, “Over the past 35 years, our Company has grown from a family-run, Medicaid-focused operation into one of the leading professionally-managed diversified home healthcare providers in the attractive Texas market. With this transaction, we will be positioned to pursue growth initiatives, including regional expansion and an increased focus on more skilled healthcare.”
David Perez, Managing Director of Palladium Equity Partners, LLC said, “Jordan is well known throughout Texas as one of the premier regional providers of home healthcare services. The Company has a strong management team who over the last five years has built a robust operating platform and has successfully executed on its growth strategy. We look forward to partnering with management to pursue additional opportunities.”
Lazard Middle Market acted as financial advisor to Jordan in connection with the sale. CIT Healthcare acted as Sole Bookrunner and Joint Lead Arranger along with Ally Commercial Finance on the senior financing. F&M Bank also participated in the senior financing. Prospect Capital Corporation provided the junior secured financing for the transaction.
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Dec 27,2010
Baked goods and pastries may be repackaged, sold under other labels
- Rolf’s Patisserie, a gourmet European style bakery located in Lincolnwood, Ill., is recalling all desserts made after Nov. 1, 2010. The products include tiramisu, cakes, cobblers, decorated cookies, tarts, pastries, and pies.
- The desserts have been connected to several outbreaks of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) food poisoning.
- Because Rolf’s Patisserie sells the desserts in both retail and wholesale markets, as well as online and to institutions, the products may not carry a Rolf’s Patisserie label.
- A food item contaminated with S. aureus, the bacterium responsible for producing toxins in foods, can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea. The illness usually lasts for one to two days, although severe cases may last as long as three days. However, certain individuals, such as the elderly or very young, may require medical treatment for dehydration.
- Consumers should not eat the desserts and should dispose of them in a sealed container so that people and animals (including wild animals) cannot get access to and eat them. Read the rest of this entry »