Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer - Toxic Substances

Liver Damage & Jaundice Caused by Hydroxycut Dietary Supplements—Do Not USE

Jessica Smagacz — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:42:15 GMT

FDA recently warned consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut dietary supplement products. Please see our past post: FDA Warning: Don’t use Hydroxycut Dietary Supplements.

23 serious reports of health problems with Hydroxycut products and one death have been reported to the FDA. A 19 year-old male used the weight-loss products, the Wall Street Journal reported, and died.

In these serious health concern reports, many of the problems are associated with jaundice and liver damage.

The attorneys at Childers & Schlueter, LLP are now investigating cases where liver damage has occurred with people. If you or someone you know has taken and used Hydroxycut dietary supplement products, you may want to contact our Georgia attorneys to see how they can help you protect your legal rights.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

FDA Warning: Don’t use Hydroxycut Dietary Supplements

Jessica Smagacz — Sat, 02 May 2009 09:16:17 GMT

Yesterday, the FDA warned consumers to immediately stop taking Hydroxycut dietary supplements. FDA received reports of serious health problems related to these products.

The LA Times reported that Lovate Health Sciences Inc. of Oakville in Ontario, Canada makes these dietary supplements and they are distributed by Lovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y.

There has been one link to a death and other instances of serious liver injuries. Because of this, Lovate agreed to recall the products from the market.

Included in the reports FDA received, there were 23 serious health problems including jaundice, elevated liver enzymes and liver damage requiring liver transplant. Other problems included seizures, cardiovascular disorders and rhabdomyolysis (type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure).

One of the problems reported was liver injury. Symptoms include jaundice and brown urine. FDA says that additional symptoms of liver injury include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching and loss of appetite.

Please stop taking any Hydroxycut products immediately!

Here is a list LA times provided:

· Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
· Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
· Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
· Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
· Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
· Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
· Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
· Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
· Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
· Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
· Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
· Hydroxycut 24
Hydroxycut Carb Control
· Hydroxycut Natural

If you have any serious side effects, go see a doctor immediately. FDA also encourages you to report the problems to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting progam: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Recall of Dietary Supplement Products having Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Jessica Smagacz — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:58:47 GMT

FDA recently reported on a recall from Universal ABC Beauty Supply International, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY. FDA informed the company that lab analyses of the dietary supplements distributed by the company contained undeclared Sibutramine. Sibutramine is an FDA approved drug used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss. However, those dietary supplements are not suppose to contain Sibutramine.

FDA has not approved the dietary supplements and therefore the safety and effectiveness of these products is unknown.

FDA says that these particular products pose a threat to consumers. “Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke.”

Here is the list of dietary supplement products being recalled as posted on the FDA website:

PRODUCT NAME

1. ProSlim Plus, 60 capsules, bottle in box
2. 3 DAYS fit, 60 capsules, bottle in box
3. EIGHT FACTOR DIET, 60 capsules, 3 pouches/box
4. 24hours Diet, 60 capsules
5. Slim 3in1 M-18 ROYAL DIET, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
6. 3X SLIMMING POWER, 60 capsules, bottle in box
7. Extrim Plus 24 Hours RE-BURN Formula, 60 capsules
8. Slim 3in1 EXTRA SLIM FORMULA, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
9. Slim 3in1 EXTRA SLIM WAIST FORMULA, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
10. SLIM EXPRESS 360º C
11. SLIM EXPRESS 4in1, 60 capsules, bottle in box
12. ROYAL SLIMMING FORMULA, 60 capsules, bottle/box
13. BODY CREATOR, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
14. Slim Waistline (labeling written in Chinese)
15. BODY SHAPING, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
16. PERFECT SLIM, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
17. Perfect Slim 100% Natural Herbal Essence
18. IMELDA Perfect Slim
19. Slim Waist Formula, 32 capsules, 2 pouches/box
20. Super Slimming, 60 capsules, bottle in box
21. 2 DAY DIET
22. Powerful Slim
23. BODY SHAPING
24. SUPER FAT BURNER, 60 capsules, bottle in box
25. SLIMMING FORMULA
26. SLIM FAST 2, 32 capsules, 2 pouches/box
27. SLIM FAST, 60 capsules, 3 pouches/box
28. Slim up, 120 capsules, bottle in box
29. 7 DAYS DIET, 60 capsules, 3 pouches/box
30. Perfect Slim Up, 60 capsules, bottle in box
31. JM Fat Reducer
32. SlimBurn
33. 21 Double SLIM
34. TRIM PLUS 2

“Consumers should not consume the above products and should return the dietary supplements on hand to the place of purchase for a full refund or partial refund of the unused portion. Distributors should contact Sandra Tan by phone at 718-891-6888 or by e-mail at universalabc@aol.com to receive further instructions for returning the product(s). Consumers with questions should contact Sandra Tan at 718-891-6888, Monday through Friday, 12:00 pm through 6 pm, EDT.”

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Georgia Food Inspectors Under Scrutiny from Themselves

Jessica Smagacz — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:24:28 GMT

Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the FDA now wants states to evaluate and assess their own inspection plans. FDA wants to implement this new plan even after Georgia failed to prevent the salmonella outbreak that was traced back to the Peanut Corporation of America’s Blakely peanut plant, “exposing broad gaps in the nation’s food safety system.”

Apparently, FDA is required to evaluate the performance of states it pays to inspect food processors. However, FDA hasn’t formally reviewed Georgia’s performance since 2001. “During that time, eight people contracted botulism from chili sauce canned in Augusta, contaminated peanut butter from Sylvester sickened hundreds, and salmonella-tainted products from Peanut Corporation of America have been blamed for nine deaths and more than 700 illnesses.”

Inspectors at the state Agriculture Department went with the “no-news-is-good-news approach” and thought they were doing a fine job. Oscar Garrison, Georgia’s assistant agriculture commissioner for consumer protection referring to the FDA, said, “If they haven’t raised issues, they don’t have any issue with how we conducted those inspections. That’s all we have to go on.”

Currently, FDA delegates about 80 percent of food processing inspections to state regulators. “Agencies with food safety responsibilities often don’t communicate with each other and, in some cases, are prevented by law from sharing information. When catastrophes such as the Peanut Corporation salmonella outbreak occur, no single federal, state or local agency has the authority to take charge.”

FDA is now shifting more responsibilities to the states because of their chronic inadequate budgets. Georgia has until October to complete its first evaluation. They have to examine certifications that inspectors have adequate training that laboratories are properly funded and that state regulations conform with federal food safety standards.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Georgia is Still Behind in Food Safety

Jessica Smagacz — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:47:01 GMT

Today the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported that Georgia “has largely failed to reduce the number of illnesses caused by food-borne contamination over the past four years.” This report came from officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Robert Tauxe, a top food safety official at CDC, said “In Georgia, as in other sites, there has been very little evidence of process in food safety over the past four years.”

Georgia had the second highest rate of salmonella in a ten state study in the year of 2008, also including previous years.

This apparently is a much more difficult problem to tackle than what was previously thought of.

Now, the agency is increasing the testing of Georgia foods, modernizing the testing, and shifting staff to place more inspectors in the field.

This comes after the salmonella outbreak involving peanuts and pistachios! The peanut salmonella outbreak was traced to the Peanut Corporation of America’s facility in Georgia that sickened 690 people in 46 states.

AJC states that salmonella is the most common form of food poisoning. Georgia had a rate of about 24 cases per 100,000 people in 2008 alone.

The spotlight continues to grow on Georgia.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Miley Cyrus’ Grandfather Died of Mesothelioma Cancer

Jessica Smagacz — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:25:47 GMT

The star of the hit show “Hannah Montana,” Miley Cyrus, is “beloved by children everywhere.” Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, plays her father on Hannah Montana. The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center reported that in an interview with Miley and her father, they spoke about some sad circumstances with the death of Miley’s grandfather.

Miley’s grandfather, Ron, was a steelworker and left metal works trade to return to college. He became a leader of the AFL-CIO and a Kentucky state legislator.

Ron Cyrus later contracted mesothelioma. This is an aggressive but rare form of cancer. It affects the lining in of the lungs, abdomen, and the heart. It is most likely that Ron contracted this cancer from coming into contact with asbestos when working with steel.

“Asbestos, a known carcinogen, is linked to mesothelioma, as well as lung cancer and asbestosis. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can work their way into soft tissues, resulting in the development of mesothelioma.”

It takes a long time for mesothelioma to be diagnosed because it develops decades after the initial exposure.

Unfortunately, Ron Cyrus died from this deadly cancer on February 28, 2006.

For more information on Mesothelioma, check out our past post here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

One Million Pounds of Pistachios Recalled because Salmonella

Jessica Smagacz — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:33:45 GMT

USA Today reported that a California company is recalling one million pounds of pistachios after test results found them contaminated with salmonella.

These pistachios were distributed nationwide. FDA is advising consumers to not eat pistachios and foods containing them until FDA can confirm which pistachios might be affected.

Currently, there have been no illnesses tied to the pistachios and this is also unrelated to the recall of peanut products tired to the widespread salmonella outbreak.

FDA’s associate commissioner for foods, David Acheson, says “This was not triggered because of an outbreak, in contrast to the peanut butter. This is an example of FDA getting out ahead of the curve.”

The number of recalled products is likely to grow as the investigation continues. The pistachios have been sold for use in baked goods, ice cream and other products.

“The contamination was discovered when Kraft Foods, which had purchased pistachios from Setton Farms, did routine testing as part of its internal food-safety process.” Kraft contacted FDA and informed them of its findings on March 24 and initiated a recall of the product, Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix.

Setton Farms, the second largest U.S processor of pistachios, sold its pistachios to about 30 wholesalers in 1,000 and 2,000 pound containers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Weight-Loss Products Safety Alert Expanded by FDA

Jessica Smagacz — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:54:56 GMT

U.S. News reported this past Friday that FDA announced an expanded nationwide alert about tainted weight-loss products containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Herbal Xenicol, Slimbionic and Xsvelten were added to the alert. The undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients that were added to the warning include fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide and cetilistat.

Last year, FDA warned customers not to purchase or consume 28 different products that were marketed for weight loss. Now the warning includes 72 products and the agency will continue to update the list if needed.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, the director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, “These tainted weight-loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages. Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain dangerous drugs that could cause serious consequences to their health.”

These products are promoted and sold on various websites and some are even sold in some retail stores and beauty salons. They are illegal and have not been approved by FDA.

The active pharmaceutical ingredients include:

fenproporex -- a controlled substance not approved for sale in the United States
fluoxetine -- an antidepressant available by prescription only
bumetanide -- a potent diuretic available by prescription only
furosemide -- a potent diuretic available by prescription only
rimonabant -- a drug not approved for sale in the United States
cetilistat -- an experimental obesity drug not approved for sale in the United States
phenytoin -- an anti-seizure medication available by prescription only
phenolphthalein -- a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent that is not approved for sale in the United States

You can go here for a complete list of the tainted weight-loss products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

New Peanut Safety Guidelines set by FDA

Jessica Smagacz — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:26:59 GMT

This past Tuesday, FDA issued new safety guidelines for companies that use peanut products, reported Red Orbit.

FDA said “it may seize products that test positive for salmonella bacteria, which can become heat-resistant in high-fat environments such as peanut butter.”

In the new safety guidelines, FDA provides recommendations relevant to the recent salmonella outbreak. The recent salmonella outbreak sickened 683 people in 46 states. It also resulted in 3,235 products to be recalled.

“The outbreak has renewed calls for an overhaul of U.S. food safety protocols.”

What happens is that improperly roasted peanuts used in the making of peanut butter or peanut paste can harbor salmonella bacteria. Additionally, baking peanut butter into cookies and crackers might not be adequate to kill the salmonella bacteria.

Because of all of this, FDA “called on food manufacturers to only purchase peanut products ‘from suppliers with validated processes in place to adequately reduce the presence of salmonella species.’”

Companies are also encouraged to conduct their own tests to check for salmonella bacteria in the products they make.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

“Ingredients for a Safe Food Supply”

Jessica Smagacz — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:42:37 GMT

This weekend, Atlanta Journal Constitution published an opinion from Pam Bailey, the president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, on how to create a safer food supply.

Pam Bailey mentions that the US continues to have one of the safest food supplies in the world. However, recent stories of food contamination, especially the peanut butter salmonella outbreak, “have troubled many American consumers and, in some cases, affected their confidence in our food supply.”

The opinion mentions a very good point: “without consumer confidence, nothing else we do is possible.”

Grocery Manufacturers Association has introduced a set of key elements they believe are essential to strengthening and modernizing the US food safety system.

FDA must be given the resources it needs to achieve its critical food safety mission. Pam Bailey said that “the situation at FDA can be likened to the experience many of us have with our favorite car once it crosses the 100,000 mile mark. It is a good car and has served us well. But eventually, even good cars need a tune-up or repairs to keep them safe and in good working order. Such is the case at FDA.”

Grocery Manufacturers Association calls on Congress & the Obama administration to increase the FDA food budget to at least $900 million to allow FDA to hire more qualified staff and inspectors, invest in advanced technologies and expand scientific programs.

Pam Bailey believes Congress’ role is absolutely critical. “We strongly believe Congress should: require every food company to have a food safety plan available for FDA confirmation; require that food importers police their foreign suppliers and make a foreign supplier food safety plan available to FDA; focus inspections on facilities and foods that pose the greatest risk of contamination that could result in food-borne illness or injury; give FDA the power to establish federal safety standards for certain fruits and vegetables—when risk and science demonstrate that standards are needed; and give FDA the authority to order a mandatory recall when a company has refused to conduct a voluntary recall and there is s serious risk to public health.”

Now, this is definitely true: “Americans have a right to SAFE FOOD.”

What do you think about Pam Bailey’s position?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz