Health Highlights: June 7, 2012
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Salmonella Fears Prompt Recall of Liquid Dietary Supplement
Potential salmonella contamination has led to the recall of a product called Wellesse Digestive 3 in 1 Health liquid dietary supplement, made by Botanical Laboratories Inc.
A supplier of one of the ingredients in the product said the ingredient has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
Product lots affected by this recall include: 16 oz. size with "LOT 34441C (followed by a four digit time code) A EXP 03/2014" jet coded on the bottom of the bottle; 33.8 oz. size has "LOT 34552C (followed by a four digit time code) A EXP 03/2014" jet coded on the bottom of the bottle. The products were sold nationwide.
People who bought these product should return them to the place of purchases for a full refund, the FDA said. For more information, consumers can call the company at 1-800-232-4005.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are among the symptoms experienced by healthy people infected with salmonella.
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Evenflo Convertible High Chairs Recalled
About 35,000 Evenflo convertible high chairs have been recalled because they pose an injury risk to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says.
The activity tray on the chair can unexpectedly detach and cause an unrestrained children to fall. Evenflo has received 18 reports of trays that detached, including eight reports of children who fell from the high chair and suffered bumps and bruises.
The recall includes high chairs that convert from a high chair to toddler-size table and chair. The model names and numbers are: Dottie Lime, 29111259; Dottie Rose, 29111271; and Mariana, 29111234.
The chairs were sold at Toys "R" Us and Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com and Wayfair.com between December 2011 and June 2012 for about $40, the CPSC said.
Consumers with these products should stop using them immediately and contact Evenflo (1-800-233-5921) for a replacement tray with installation and use instructions.
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Children's Vaccines Often Stored at Wrong Temperature: Report
Many providers of immunizations for low-income children store vaccines at improper temperatures, which could make them ineffective, says a U.S. government investigation.
A team from Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General checked the offices of 45 providers in five states who provided free immunizations under the federal government's Vaccines for Children program, ABC News reported.
The investigators found that 76 percent of the providers stored the vaccines at temperatures that were either too hot or too cold, and 13 percent of the providers stored expired vaccines with nonexpired vaccines.
Improper storage could reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines and put children at risk of contracting serious diseases, ABC News reported.
Nationwide, about 44,000 offices and clinics participate in the Vaccines for Children program.
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Introvale Birth Control Pills Recalled
Ten lots of Introvale birth control pills are being recalled after a consumer reported that the white placebo tablets were in the wrong row, drug maker Sandoz announced Wednesday.
The consumer found that the placebo tablets were in the ninth row (labeled "Week 9") of the 13-row blister card, rather than in the correct position in the 13th and final row.
While it is easy to distinguish the white placebo pills from the peach-colored active pills, there is the potential risk for an unintended pregnancy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
The numbers of the recalled lots are: LF00478C, LF00479C, LF00551C, LF00552C, LF00687C, LF00688C, LF00763C, LF00764C, LF00765C and LF01261C. The lots were distributed only in the U.S. between January 2011 and May 2012.
Consumers who find a white placebo pill in any position other than the 13th and final row should immediately being using a non-hormonal form of birth control and contact their doctor, the FDA said.
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