Abrahams and Health Department Issue Recall of WIC Lunch Bags

As a precautionary measure, Nassau County Legislator Roger Abrahams (D-Hempstead) and the Nassau County Department of Health is asking the 169 Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) participants to return the small insulated lunch bags given to them at five WIC sites or to call the Nassau County Department of Health WIC Program. Participants should return them to the WIC sites or contact the department by phone.

WIC sites are open 8:30 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 11:30 A.M. to 7:15 P.M. on Tuesdays. The five WIC sites are located in Hempstead, Westbury, Freeport, Elmont and Glen Cove. To arrange for the return of the lunch bags, individuals can also call the WIC program at (516) 571- 3449 or 571-3448 during these hours.

             

The Health Department is recalling the lunch bags as they have been identified as containing lead.  Thought it is not clear that this poses any risk, the department has taken the precautionary measure of issuing this recall. The department has consulted with the New York State Department of Health.  They will be conducting more definitive testing on the lunch bags at the state public health laboratory.

The lunch bags are either red or green, with silver insulated lining, and have the words: “fruits & veggies/more matters TM” on the front. 

The department is contacting WIC participants’ homes through telephone, letter, or if necessary, personal visits to effectuate this recall. In addition, The Nassau County Department of Health is placing posters in English and Spanish at the five WIC sites where the 169 bags were distributed.  The department is also issuing letters to the 1,780 participants who visited WIC sites the week of October 11 – 18th, when the 169 lunch bags were distributed. The department has already identified 74 recipients of the lunch bags.

The lunch bags were manufactured in China and distributed by Produce for Better Health Foundation Catalog Sales. These lunch bags are part of a series of incentive items distributed at WIC sites through a WIC program grant.