Health « Thurles Information

Allergy Alert Notification – Food Safety Authority Of Ireland.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland warn of the possible presence of milk and hazelnuts in a batch of Tesco Free From Bran Flakes.

Product Identification:

Tesco Free From Bran Flakes; pack size: 300g. Best before date: 26th May 2024.

The batch of ‘Tesco Free From Bran Flakes’, [See Image left], may contain a small amount of another variant of cereal, latter which contains milk and hazelnuts.

These allergens are not declared on the label of Tesco Free From Bran Flakes.
This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of milk and/or nuts.

FSAI Recall Batches Of Popcorn Kernels Due To High Levels Of Aflatoxin.

The below 4 named batches of various brands of popcorn kernels, which originated in Turkey, are being recalled by the Irish Food Safety Authority, due to elevated levels of aflatoxin.

Products:

(A) True Natural Goodness Popcorn Organic – 500g and 5kg – best before date 31/1/24 to16/2/24 inc. & 7/3/24 to 28/3/24 inc.
(B) Pax Whole Food & Eco Goods Organic Popcorn Kernels – Sold loose – best before date 30/9/24.
(C) Your Organic Nature Pofmaïs Mafmais Souffle – 400g – best before date 19/12/24.
(D) Ekoplaza Pofmaïs – 400g – best before date 29/12/24.

Nature Of Danger :

Aflatoxin is one of a group of a naturally occurring chemicals (mycotoxins) produced by certain moulds. They can grow on a variety of different crops and foodstuffs, often under warm and humid conditions.

Mycotoxins can cause a variety of adverse health effects in humans including cancer (some are genotoxic – may bind directly to DNA or act indirectly leading to DNA damage), kidney and liver damage, gastrointestinal disturbances, reproductive disorders, or suppression of the immune system.
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring, so their presence in foods cannot be completely avoided.

Consumers are now advised not to eat the implicated batches and retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale immediately and display recall notices at point-of-sale in stores supplying the implicated batches.

Teenager Dead & Man Critical Following Crash In Tipperary.

Teenager Dead & Man Critical Following Crash In Dundrum, Co. Tipperary.

Following the single vehicle collision, which happened on the R505/R661 junction at Dundrum village around 6.20am yesterday morning; a teenager has sadly died and a man in his 30s remains in a critical condition.

The occupants of the car, a man in his 30s and two male teenagers following the collision, were rushed to University Hospital Limerick to be treated for serious injuries.

The junction remained closed for a time yesterday to allow for an examination to be conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, but has since reopened.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses who may have dash-cam footage obtained while travelling on the R505 or R661 between 5:00am and 6:30am to please contact them at Tipperary Town Garda Station on Tel. No. 062 806 70; the Garda Confidential Line Tel. No. 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda Station.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tipperary Town Garda Station on 062 806 70, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Cases Of Bird Flu Identified On Lough Derg.

The Department of Agriculture have issued a warning, following the discovery of bird flu in a number of sick and dead birds found near Dromineer, in North Co. Tipperary.

Same has resulted in a warning system being put in place through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Birdwatch Ireland, and the Regional Game Councils, seeking close surveillance on further signs of the possible HPAI strain in all wild birds. Members of the public are also being asked to contribute to this surveillance, by directly notifying the Department of Agriculture of any location where sick or dead wild birds have been identified.

It is understood that up to 50 dead birds have been found located within the Dromineer area, since the start of 2023, with the H5N1 subtype having been confirmed in the carcasses. In the past year, more than 90 wild birds with H5N1 HPAI have also been detected nationally

The H5N1 subtype viruses naturally spreads among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other animal species. However the risk to humans is considered very low; nevertheless sporadic human infections have indeed occurred.

Members of the public, (especially children attempting to catch sick birds), are therefore advised not to handle same, and to keep their dogs on a leash in known areas where sick or dead birds have already been identified.
Poultry flock owners are asked to remain vigilant for any signs of this disease in their flocks and to report any disease suspicion immediately to the Department of Agriculture.

In domestic poultry flocks the form of this virus is understood to present itself suddenly, with very high mortality, and with affected birds developing swollen heads, a blue colouration of the comb and wattle area [latter the skin under the chin], lack of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and a significant drop in egg production.

To date no evidence has been found to suggest there being any risk associated with the consumption of poultry meat or associated products of poultry meat, or indeed eggs.

Safeguard Risk Of Drowning In Thurles.

We pointed out previously, in November last, the total lack of Litter Bins provided on the Suir river walkway here in Thurles, resulting in cheap wine bottles, cans and other litter being dumped into an already polluted and slowly dying river.

But another problem has also now arisen. Overgrown Willow tree branches are holding back our floating filth, (plastic bags, drink cans, waxed paper tubs, milk cartons, wine and beer bottles); and this litter filth, in turn, is holding back footballs (we counted 6) and tennis balls (we counted 4), close to the edge of the river bank.

**Above 3 separate images demonstrate a need for Lifebuoys on River Suir in Thurles**.

So what’s the problem, I hear you ask?
The river Suir is presently in flood and some child or indeed adult is likely to attempt to retrieve one of these footballs. Should any person slip into the river, there is not one item that can be used, with which to assist in their recovery from this extremely deep water.

There is not one Lifebuoy or Life Ring in the vicinity of this unguarded river.
The purchase cost of one MOB Ring with 30m of floating rope costs a mere €17.00. A galvanised steel pole and base for use as a Lifebuoy Case, is more expensive at €166.50, but when you consider how much money is already wasted by Tipperary Co. Council on other projects; the cost of basic lifesaving equipment is a mere pittance in comparison.

Readers, do take a stroll along this unguarded river walk yourself, next fine day, and surely you will agree three Lifebuoys are immediately required to meet the basic need for health and safety.
Note also people have carved out their own grass path close to the river’s edge, preferring same to the overpriced tarmacadam strips.