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• 💪 Wellness News: The Hidden Danger of Mixing Over-the-Counter Cold Medications
• ⚠️ Health Alert: Weekly U.S. Food Recall & Safety Roundup
• 😄 Meme of the Day: Laughter is the Best Medicine
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• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

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Pharmacists are warning consumers about the risks of combining common over-the-counter cold medications. Many products contain overlapping ingredients, and taking multiple medicines without checking their labels can lead to accidental overdoses and serious side effects. Although cold medicines can temporarily relieve congestion, headaches, fever and body aches, they do not cure the common cold or make it go away faster.

Combining decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can increase blood pressure, heart rate and restlessness. Taking multiple anti-inflammatory pain relievers, including ibuprofen and naproxen, raises the risk of stomach bleeding, ulcers and kidney problems. Excessive acetaminophen, commonly found in Tylenol and many cold and flu products, can cause severe liver damage.

Multi-symptom cold medicines present a particular concern because they often contain several active ingredients. Someone taking a cold medicine that already contains acetaminophen could accidentally take too much by adding Tylenol for a headache. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can sometimes be taken together when appropriate, but patients should follow dosing instructions and consider any existing health conditions or prescription medications.

People with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems or liver conditions should be especially careful when selecting cold medications. Certain decongestants can interact with prescription drugs, including some antidepressants and blood pressure medications. Pharmacists can help identify potentially harmful combinations and recommend products that address specific symptoms without unnecessary ingredients.

Most colds improve on their own, typically within about a week, although symptoms may linger longer. Rest, hydration and appropriate medications can make recovery more comfortable. Anyone experiencing worsening symptoms, persistent high fever or difficulty breathing should seek medical attention rather than continuing to rely on over-the-counter treatments.

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Bottom line upfront: The biggest food-safety development this week is a nationwide recall of approximately 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from Kayem Foods due to improper storage temperatures. The recall covers hot dogs, bacon, sausages and deli meats sold under several brands. For North Carolina consumers, a new Listeria recall involving Gelatelli ice cream sold at Lidl is especially important. Meanwhile, a suspected E. coli outbreak linked to chicken wraps has grown to 50 illnesses.

Agency: USDA FSIS.

Products: Approximately 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, brisket and other meat and poultry products. Brands include Kayem, Al Fresco, McKenzie, Triple M, Deutschmacher and Jordan's.

Hazard: Possible temperature abuse during warehouse storage, which could make products unsafe to eat.

Affected identification: Products manufactured approximately March 31–October 7, 2026, bearing USDA establishment numbers EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520. Check the complete FSIS product list because not every product bearing these numbers is necessarily recalled.

Distribution: Retail and foodservice locations nationwide, plus Hong Kong.

Recall announced: October 17, 2026.

Illnesses: None confirmed.

Consumer guidance: Check refrigerators and freezers. Do not eat affected products. Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

Product: Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato with Coffee Sauce & Cookie Pieces, 16-fl-oz containers.

Affected lot: 085261, UPC 4 0564897 22458, Best By March 26, 2028.

Hazard: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination detected through routine testing.

Distribution: Lidl stores in Delaware, Washington D.C., Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

Recall announced: October 16; FDA posted October 17.

Illnesses: None reported.

Consumer guidance: Discard the recalled gelato or return it to Lidl for a full refund. No receipt is required. Listeria poses particular risks to pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Product: Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese, also described in the FDA notice as A2 Raw Cheddar.

Affected lot: 7/22/27, Best By July 22, 2027.

Hazard: Potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2. Maryland testing detected the bacteria in cheese samples.

Distribution: Grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts, with possible additional distribution through wholesalers.

Recall announced: October 15, 2026.

Illnesses: None reported.

Consumer guidance: Do not eat the recalled cheese. Discard it or return it for a refund. STEC infections can cause bloody diarrhea and, in severe cases, kidney failure.

Product: Starfish Seafood Premium Cold Smoked Norwegian Salmon Sliced, frozen 8-oz vacuum-sealed packages.

Affected lot: D080-148, UPC 4751048940099, Best Before November 27, 2027.

Hazard: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination identified through New York State sampling.

Distribution: New York, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Recall announced: October 9; newly posted by FDA October 16. This is a separate salmon product from the Starfish Seafood Trio recall covered last week.

Illnesses: None reported.

Consumer guidance: Do not consume the salmon. Return affected packages to the place of purchase for a full refund. Check frozen storage because of the product's long shelf life.

Product: Para Bien Al Grano, 24-oz packages, UPC 0 21425 01513 4.

Affected lots: Seven lots with sell-by dates October 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 21, 2026, with associated lot codes beginning 3B1.

Hazard: Undeclared sesame, which can cause severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.

Distribution: Throughout Puerto Rico.

Recall announced: October 13; FDA posted October 14.

Illnesses: The notice does not provide a confirmed illness count.

Consumer guidance: Anyone with a sesame allergy should not eat the product. Return it for a refund or discard it.

Ready-to-eat chicken wraps — E. coli: FDA reports that the suspected E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to multi-ingredient chicken wraps has increased from 38 to 50 illnesses. No specific brand, retailer or lot has been publicly identified. The investigation is being conducted jointly with USDA FSIS. There is no new product-specific consumer recall.

Unidentified Listeria outbreak: FDA reports an increase from 44 to 46 illnesses in a separate Listeria monocytogenes investigation. The food source remains unidentified, and no brand-specific consumer guidance has been issued.

Broccoli sprouts and seeds — Salmonella: The ongoing Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak involves 32 illnesses across six states, 3 hospitalizations and no deaths. Previously recalled seeds include Gardeners Basics, Eden Brothers and Home Grown products distributed nationwide. Consumers should not use affected seeds for sprouting or consumption.

References:
FDA Recall Dashboard
USDA FSIS Recall Alerts
CDC Foodborne Outbreak Investigations

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:

• Wednesday: Moonlit Landscape in Watercolor 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Pumpkin Flotilla - Pumpkin Drop Off 4PM-6PM
• Thursday: Town Council Regular Meeting 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Shaun of the Dead 7PM-9PM
• Friday: Bats, Bugs and Beasts 8AM-9AM
• Friday: Pumpkin Flotilla 5PM-7PM
• Friday: Trunk or Treat with the Volunteers of WakeMed Cary 6PM
• Friday: Zombiepalooza 6PM-10PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Downtown Scary Park: Haunted Hotel 2PM-10:30PM
• Saturday: Movie Night: Halloween Double Feature 6PM-10PM
• Saturday: Haunting at the Old Hotel 6:30PM-9:30PM
• Saturday: Me...Jane: Applause! Cary Youth Theatre 7:30PM-8:30PM
• Sunday: Tricks & Treats: Dog Training 2PM-3PM
• Sunday: Haunted Walk Night 2 7PM-10:30PM
• Sunday: Legacy of Jazz: Devine and Dexterous 3:30PM-5PM
• Monday: Downtown Cary Park Diwali Celebration 6:30PM-8PM

But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar