Physical Wellness
US Smokeless Tobacco Company Recalls Products
Sharp metal objects were found in some smokeless tobacco product cans on Tuesday. The US Smokeless Tobacco Company, a unit of Altria Group Inc., has ordered a recall of their products nationwide, such as Cope, Copenhagen, Husky Brands and Skoal.
The US Food and Drug Administration received a report from eight customers from Texas, Indiana, North Carolina, Wisonsin, Tennessee, and Ohio. They complained about metal fragments and sharp metal objects in the cans.
The products were manufactured in the company's Franklin Park, Illinois facility. The smokeless tobacco recall does not include Copenhagen Snuff Custom, Copenhagen Fine Cut, Copenhagen Long Cut, Copenhagen Long Cut Wintergreen, Skoal Long Cut Custom Straight, and Skoal Snus Original.
According to Daily Mail, the objects were visible to consumers from the cans. Luckily no injuries were reported. Altria spokesman Steve Callahan said "We appreciate our consumers' patience and loyalty while we work through this matter."
FDA and the US Smokeless Tobacco Company are encouraging customers, retailers and wholesalers to not open or use the products after the smokeless tobacco recall. Instead, contact the company at 1-866-201-9136 and return it for a full refund.
The FDA announced earlier this month that the carcinogen levels in the smokeless tobacco product called N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) should be limited or reduced. FDA official said NNN is a potent carcinogenic agent that can greatly increase cancer risks to consumers of the smokeless tobacco. The said action is for the protection of the public's health.
According to Tech Times the proposed rule restricts NNN levels to go beyond 1.0 μg/g of tobacco (dry weight) at any time through its expiry date. As part of the new standards set by the FDA the labels are required to contain expiration date, manufacturing code, and storage conditions if applicable.
The FDA aims to prevent 12,700 new oral cancer cases and 2,200 deaths in the country in the next 20 years following its implementation. If successful, an estimated 15,200 life years would be gained in the nation as a result.
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