recall-related stories
FDA Advisory Prompts Hydroxycut Recall
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a consumer advisory today for some Hydroxycut products.
The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems involving liver problems and jaundice, and one death from liver failure. A 19-year-old male died in 2007, but the FDA didn't learn of his death until March of this year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
It is unclear at this time which ingredients are harmful. The company, which sold nine million units in 2008, has agreed to voluntarily recall a range of its products.
Click to see which items are part of the Hydroxycut recall.
For more information on diet pills and supplements, click on the gallery below.
Weight Loss Supplements
By Karen Asp
If you believe the ads, you just need to pop a pill to take off extra pounds. If only it were that easy. There may, however, be a few supplements that can aid your weight loss, keeping in mind, that you still need to eat healthy and exercise regularly. To find out what works and what doesn't we tapped Connie Diekman, R.D., director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and immediate past president of the American Dietetic Association and Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., board-certified nutritionist and author of 'The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth,' for the scoop on 10 common supplements.
Hydroxycut: Avoid Most Products
In May 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products because some are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. As a result, the company has agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products from the market. For a complete list of recalled products, visit the FDA's website.
AP
Ephedra: Avoid At All Cost
Even though the FDA banned ephedra, this stimulant has been showing up online. Studies have shown that ephedra can aid weight loss, but the side effects, which include high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, heart attacks, and stroke, can be deadly.
Chromium: Try It
Chromium, which occurs naturally in the body, helps regulate blood sugar and utilize carbohydrate, and although few studies have shown any correlation between chromium supplements and fat loss, chromium may still aid weight loss. That's because chromium helps keep insulin levels down. High levels of insulin, after all, make fat burning almost impossible. Although chromium may not cause weight loss, by lowering insulin, it may remove an obstacle to taking off weight.
How to Take It: Try taking 1,000 mcg of chromium picolinate or chromium nicotinate daily.
Guarana: Skip It
In supplement form, guarana is a concentrated source of caffeine that's supposed to increase your metabolism. However, while it might help you drop pounds temporarily, it doesn't provide lasting weight loss and could raise blood pressure and heart rate.
Green Tea Extract: Try It
Green tea contains a compound called EGCG that may stimulate metabolism. Several studies, in fact, have linked green tea extract to a reduction in body fat and increase in thermogenesis, or the rate at which calories are burned.
How To Take It: Pop 270 mg per day or drink three cups of green tea a day.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Try It
Commonly called CLA, this amino acid exists in animal foods like beef and dairy products. It plays a role in the health of your muscles and tissues and may help you lose abdominal fat.
How To Take It: Have 3.4 grams daily.
Yerba Mate: Skip It
Yerba mate is a concentrated plant source of caffeine that's supposed to boost metabolism. Although you might see a temporary drop in weight, changes aren't long-lasting. Plus, as with all stimulants, side effects include increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Recent studies have also shown yerba mate may increase the risk of some cancers.
Chitosan: Skip It
This bulking agent comes from the bones and shells of shellfish, and manufacturers claim it suppresses appetite and blocks fat absorption. Yet no studies show any weight loss benefits.
Pyruvate: Skip It
Pyruvate, which exists in foods like red wine, apples and cheese, promises to make you lean and help you shed body fat. The bad news? No study has shown that consuming pyruvate in supplement form will have this effect on your body.
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Fitness Balls - Use Them Safely
Last week EB Brands issued a recall of roughly three million fitness balls. The balls, marketed under the brand names of Bally Total Fitness, Everlast, Valeo and Body Fit, could explode if used while overinflated.
Fitness (or stability) balls are a great tool. Initially, they were used for physical therapy, but now they're a staple for strength and balance exercises. When using a fitness ball, however, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Read manufacturer instructions carefully before inflating. Don't use an air compressor to inflate the ball as the cold air from the compressor could expand as it returns to room temperature.
- Don't overinflate the ball. Use a measuring tape to verify that the inflated ball doesn't exceed the ball's maximum inflation size.
- Pay attention to weight limits and other restrictions.
- Use the ball on a mat or other non-slip surface. Even carpeted areas can be slippery under a stability ball.
- Wear appropriate clothing. Be sure to remove any items, such as rings or watches, that could potentially puncture the ball.
- Avoid temperature extremes. Fitness balls are not meant for outdoor use. Also avoid using/storing them in extreme heat or cold.
- Use caution when changing positions. Move slowly and carefully when moving to a new position to start a new exercise. A main benefit of stability balls is that they require you to adjust and maintain balance -- you will still get that benefit while being careful, there's no need to rush.
- Clean your fitness ball with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Avoid chemical-based and/or abrasive cleaners.
Jenny Craig Peanut Butter Bars Recalled
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Is Jenny helping you take the weight off? Then you might want to take a look at your snack supply. Jenny Craig's Anytime Peanut Butter Flavor Nutritional Bars are the latest peanut butter product to be voluntarily recalled due to the salmonella outbreak. No illness has been reported in connection with the bars, but there's a chance they may be contaminated with the bug.
If you're a regular user of these bars, you can check the specific codes here. Jenny Craig says they'll replace any affected boxes for customers at their centers.
Luckily for peanut butter lovers, heart-healthy (thought calorie dense) peanut butter straight from the jar still appears to be safe. (For a list of items not affected by the recall, click here.) Here are five other ways to enjoy fat in a healthy way.
Peanut Butter - Peanut Plant Had History of Violations
The peanut/salmonella debacle just keeps getting bigger ... and grosser.The Georgia processing plant that has been determined as the source of the tainted peanut paste was previously cited for sanitation concerns. Things like dirty surfaces, greasy residue, exposed rust (in areas where it could fall into the food), and gaps in doors large enough for rodents to get through.
Do you have the heebie-jeebies yet? I know I do. The plant, thankfully, has been shut down.
Parnell's Pride and King Nut peanut butter and many products that use peanut paste from the plant have been recalled. To date, nearly 500 people have become ill after consuming tainted peanut butter products; seven have died.
Kelloggs Halts Peanut Butter Cracker Sales
It looks like the Keebler elves have been laid off. After King Nut and Parnell's Pride peanut butter was recalled because of the recent salmonella outbreak, Kellogg's has decided to be cautious and halt sales of their peanut butter crackers.Though no cases of salmonella can be traced to the Kellogg's crackers, one of the suppliers of the peanut paste is involved in the peanut butter recall. When it's something as serious as this, the old adage holds true -- an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
The cracker varieties include Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers and are sold under the Austin and Keebler brands.
Peanut Butter Confirmed as Source of Salmonella Outbreak
People began getting ill with the most current outbreak in early October. Last weekend, when certain peanut butters were suspected, both King Nut and Parnell's Pride peanut butter with the lot code "8" were recalled. Lab tests on those peanut butters revealed that they were the source. Two years ago, Peter Pan brand peanut butter was recalled for the same reason.
So do you need to worry about the peanut butter sitting in your pantry? Only if it is part of the current recall.
Recall - Check Your Freezer for Lean Cuisine
Do you happen to have any Lean Cuisine meals in your freezer? If so, you better take stock of what you have -- nearly 900,000 pounds of Lean Cuisine frozen chicken meals are being recalled. Nestlé Prepared Foods Company in Springville, Utah issued the recall after receiving customer complaints regarding bits of hard, blue plastic in certain meals. So far, one injury has been reported. The products being recalled include:
- Lean Cuisine Pesto Chicken with Bow-Tie Pasta.
- Lean Cuisine Chicken Mediterranean.
- Lean Cuisine Chicken Tuscan.
Only certain production codes of these meals are being recalled. If you have questions, you can contact Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 227-6188.
12 dead in Canada food poisoning outbreak
There are 26 confirmed cases of food poisoning related to deli meats produced by a Canada-based Maple Leaf Foods plant. 12 of those cases have resulted in death. Listeria, the bacteria that was found in all of the people who contracted food poisoning, was detected in two beef products made at the Toronto plant.The plant in question is closed while health officials inspect and test product until they're sure it is safe to reopen the plant. Maple Leaf Foods voluntarily pulled 220 products that are produced at the plant, a safety move that cost the company roughly $19 million.
There are another 29 suspected cases of food poisoning related to the tainted deli meats and health officials expect more cases will surface in the coming days.
Lean Pockets Recall
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
What's in your freezer these days? If Lean Pockets make the list of frozen goods in your house, listen up. Nestle recently announced a recall of 200,000 lbs of frozen chicken that might have been used in the convenience food, which is sold in stores across North America. The recalls applies specifically to Spinach Artichoke Chicken Lean Pockets--they come in boxes of two pockets--with a best before date of November 2009, package code of 8144 544616 and establishment number of 8144 544616. It's believed that the perps hit stores around May 23rd.
The recall was initiated after two complaints were registered about the product to the USDA. It's believed that the chicken may contain bits of plastic.
Tomato scare may not be about tomatoes: Cilantro and peppers join the list
After all but taking down the tomato industry with their recent recall, the FDA has yet to find the culprit of the current salmonella outbreak. Now they're turning their attention to foods like hot peppers and cilantro, noting that it might not be tomatoes themselves, but a food that is commonly eaten with tomatoes.With the number of people who have fallen ill quickly approaching 1,000, it's clear that an answer needs to be found soon. The FDA has been focusing on tomatoes coming from Mexico, but they've yet to pinpoint a source.
For more on this outbreak, and for information on what specific foods to avoid, visit the FDA's website.
Cereal recalled over salmonella contamination
Malt-O-Meal has recalled two of its cereals after 23 people have fallen ill with salmonella. The Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat cereals are sold under several different brand names: Malt-O-Meal, Acme, America's Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, ShopRite, Tops, and Weis Quality. (See actual packaging here.)The cereals are stamped with "use by" dates of April 8, 2008 (APR0808) to March 18, 2009 (MAR1809). If you have them in your cupboards, the FDA recommends that you throw them out.
Salmonella can cause nausea, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It can be serious in young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
Thousands of cribs recalled over fall hazard
Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements
Munire Furniture has recalled 24,000 baby cribs made between the years of 2005 and 2007 due to a safety hazard. Even though no injuries have been reported, thankfully, the company says there is a risk if the child tries to crawl over the railing.The problem is that the support brackets don't allow parents to lower the mattress all the way down. This posses a fall risk to the child if he or she tries to crawl over the railing. You may need to check the model number if you've purchased Majestic Curved and Flat Top cribs, Essex and Brighton/Sussex cribs, or Captiva cribs.
Parents can call the company to receive replacement brackets, but they urge consumers to stop using them. The WebMD article points out that care should be taken when using any nursery products. For example, don't use old or worn out cribs -- especially if they've been modified over time (like hand-me-downs). Check out this information to read more and review the recalled model numbers if you suspect a crib in your home.
1,026 Cans of green beans recalled over botulism
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
Over 170 cases of green beans are being recalled because the canning company believes they're tainted with a botulism-causing bacteria. If you consume GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans, then you may want to check for lot code 19H7FL. The produce was distributed to 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.The FDA and company are working together to try and figure out how this happened. Hopefully consumers can spread the word before someone gets hurt. Botulism is scary -- it only takes one microgram of toxin to be lethal to human. Of the average yearly reported botulism cases, a quarter of them are foodborne.
If you want to learn more about this illness, check out the Wikipedia page here. Good luck to authorities in rounding up all 1,026 cans before anything happens.
Mexican-grown basil recalled over salmonella fears
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Another food recall was announced late this week, with authorities announcing that over 5,500 pounds of fresh basil grown in Mexico were being recalled due to a possible salmonella contamination.Fresh basil is a great way to spice up everyday dishes without using sodium or other undesirable taste enhancers, so it's disenchanting to hear than an actual fresh spice has been recalled.
But, these vegetables are grown just like any other, and sometimes face the same problems with safety. Like the spinach recalls last year and this year, the basil was grown in farms within Mexico's southern Baja California region.
Gift Basket Recall: Cheese
If you think it might have a block of the tainted cheese, reps from the manufacturer have advised you to discard it immediately.
