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Citizen Corps News:
Does your Emergency Preparedness Kit contain recalled or expired items?
Currently the United States is in the midst of one of the largest
food recalls in American history. As Americans dig through their cabinets
and refrigerators to remove potentially contaminated food associated with
the recent peanut recall, we would like to also remind citizens to open
and check their Emergency Preparedness Kits to remove any potentially
harmful items from these also.
Because peanut products are often recommended as staples in Emergency
Preparedness Kits due to their long shell life and because they are a good
source of protein, we encourage all kit owners to look at their kits to
ensure food products are not on the peanut recall list. Please keep in
mind that the peanut product recall extends beyond peanut-flavored
products. The following are some examples of foods also included in the
recall that may contain peanuts:
A full list of recalled peanut products and what individuals should
do with recalled items can be found on the Food and Drug
Administration’s Web site, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm
In addition to checking for peanut-related items, please be sure to
check for other items in your kit that may have expired, including
medications, food and pet food, water, and other recalled items. The U.S.
government provides information on unsafe, hazardous, or defective
products ranging from consumer products, food, medicine, and cosmetics at www.recalls.gov
Ensuring family and neighbors are prepared is an essential step
in helping communities during and after an emergency. Families should have
an Emergency Preparedness Kit in all locations that are frequented often,
including homes, offices, schools, cars and day care facilities. These
kits should hold a variety of essential items that are needed during a
disaster, such as a flashlight, radio, cash, clothing, protective
equipment, medicines, and of course food and water. For a complete list of
Emergency Preparedness Kit recommended items, please visit http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/supplykit.shtm
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