Consumer Group Asks FDA To Test Foods for Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON -- The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) today charged that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is endangering people with food allergies by not using modern methods to detect allergy-causing contaminants in foods. Contamination with peanut, egg, soy, and other common food allergens could be life-threatening.

The FDA does not test foods for undeclared allergens -- it only occasionally relies on visual inspection of manufacturing plants -- even though its own study two years ago found that numerous candy, ice cream, and bakery products contained undeclared peanut or egg allergens.

In contrast, for several years the Canadian government has routinely conducted tests for certain allergens -- peanuts, soy, egg, and milk -- in foods bought at grocery stores. The Canadian government uses the results of those tests to help decide whether to warn consumers of undeclared allergens.

“The millions of Americans who have food allergies are entitled to the same protection from the FDA that the Canadian government now gives to its citizens,” said Michael F. Jacobson, CSPI’s Executive Director. “It is astonishing that the FDA insists on only ‘eyeballing’ manufacturing facilities -- on the rare occasions when they inspect for undeclared allergens -- instead of using modern tests. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been switching from ‘poke and sniff’ to detect dangerous germs in meat using laboratory tests.”

In a letter sent to FDA acting deputy principal commissioner Bernard Schwetz, CSPI called on the FDA to begin testing processed foods for allergenic ingredients not listed on labels.

Approximately four million Americans, including up to 6 percent of children, are allergic to one type of food or another. Each year an estimated 29,000 Americans are rushed to emergency rooms because of allergic reactions to food, and an estimated 150 people die of such allergic reactions.

On October 4, CSPI petitioned the FDA to require food labels to disclose common allergens and to set manufacturing standards to prevent the inadvertent contamination of non-allergenic foods with allergens. The FDA has taken no action on that petition, on a similar one filed in May 2000 by the Attorneys General of nine states (and supported by 22 other Attorneys General), or on CSPI’s July 26, 2001, petition to improve the legibility of ingredient lists on all food packages. (12-13-01)

CFH, FDA Give Parents Tips On How To Properly Dose Children

WASHINGTON -- Guessing games are fun to play with your kids, but not when you’re trying to give a sick child the right dose of medicine. As the winter season brings more coughs, sneezes and sniffles, the Council on Family Health (CFH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are teaming up to offer parents and caregivers tips on how to take the guesswork out of giving medicine to children.

The pamphlet, “Got a Sick Kid? Don’t Guess. Read the Label,” highlights 10 tips for properly dosing children. The pamphlet also includes the U.S. childhood immunization schedule to remind parents of current vaccination recommendations.

"It is important to keep in mind a child is not a small adult," said CFH President Robert G. Donovan. "Never guess on the amount of medicine given. Half an adult dose may be more than your child needs or not enough to help. When giving medicine to children, you need to always read and follow the label directions," recommended Donovan.

"Always follow age and weight limit recommendations," urged Donovan. "If the label says don’t give to children under a certain age or weight, don’t do it. Ask your doctor."

CFH and FDA also remind parents and caregivers that today’s medicines are often flavored to mask the taste of the medicine, which is all the more reason to keep all drugs out of the sight and reach of children.

For single copies of the “Got a Sick Kid?” pamphlet, visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov or write to the Federal Consumer Information Center, Item #507J, Pueblo, CO 81009. Companies and organizations may order bulk quantities (up to 50 free) on CFH’s Web site at www.cfhinfo.org or by writing: Council on Family Health, "Got a Sick Kid," PMB 422, 1155 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036. (12-13-01)

Pregnancy Weight Gain Can Lead to Obesity

If you haven’t lost those pregnancy pounds by Baby’s first birthday, you are more likely to remain overweight or obese during the second year postpartum, say researchers from Cornell University. Their study revealed that 64 percent of women were obese during their first and second years after childbirth, with nearly 25 percent being 10 pounds heavier than their pre-pregnancy weights.

Of course, pregnant and lactating women should not go on calorie restricting diets. Instead, do your best to fuel your body with nutritious foods and keep physically active. This “one-two punch” should make it easier for you to return to your pre-pregnancy weight. (12/11/01)

Taco Bell’s Mucho Grande Nachos More Than A Day’s Worth Of Fat

Did you know that one serving of nachos can deliver more than 1,300 calories and more than a day’s worth of fat, saturated fat and sodium? In recognition of that nutritional train wreck, the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s (CSPI) Nutrition Action Healthletter has named Taco Bell’s Mucho Grande Nachos its Food Porn of the Month for December.

The Mucho Grande Nachos get their overload of fat and calories from the ground beef and melted cheese that smother deep-fried nacho chips. Nutrition Action says that the Mucho Grande Nachos “is the perfect food if you don’t mind ending up with mucho grande doctor bills ... and a mucho grande posterior.”

“You’d have to salsa dance all night to burn off this nacho dish. Each ingredient on its own raises red flags -- put them all together and you’ve got a world-class Food Porn,” said CSPI senior nutritionist Jayne Hurley. “Eating one order of Mucho Grande Nachos is like eating five Beef Tacos -- plus an order of regular nachos. I don’t recommend eating either meal.”

Hurley says the most healthful choices at Taco Bell are the Chicken or Steak Soft Taco (190 calories) or the Chicken Fiesta, Steak Fiesta, or Bean Burrito (370 calories).

And she warns people not to be deceived by the word “salad” in Taco Bell’s Taco Salad with Salsa. “That ‘salad’ has 850 calories and at least 70 percent of a day’s worth of fat and saturated fat.” (11-20-01)

Preparation For Outdoor Winter Activities Prevents Injury

ARLINGTON, Va. -- When snow, ice and frigid weather blast into town, watch out, says the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Winter recreational activities and chores can pose problems for the outdoor enthusiast whose body is not in condition. Winter sports like skating, skiing and sledding can cause painful muscle spasms, strains or tears if you’re not in shape. Even shoveling snow the wrong way, clambering awkwardly over snow banks, slipping on sidewalks and wearing the wrong kinds of clothing can all pose the potential for spasms, strains and sprains.

Simply walking outside in the freezing weather without layers of warm clothing can intensify older joint problems and cause a great deal of pain. Preparation for an outdoor winter activity, including conditioning the areas of the body that are most vulnerable, can help avoid injury and costly health care bills.

“Simply put, warming up is essential,” says ACA-sponsored Olympic speedskater Derek Parra, gold medal winner in the 1500 meters at last weekend’s World Cup event in the Netherlands. “In fact, when pressed for time, it’s better to shorten the length of your workout and keep a good warm-up than to skip the warm-up and dive right into the workout. Skipping your warm-up is the best way to get hurt.” Parra, the United States’ best chance for a gold medal in speedskating at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, adds that, “You can complete a good warm-up in 15 to 20 minutes. And believe me, it will make your workout more pleasant and safe.”

Derek Parra and the ACA suggest that you start with some light aerobic activity (jogging, biking, fast walking), for about 7 to 10 minutes. Then follow these tips to help you fight back the winter weather:

• Skiing -- do 10 to 15 squats. Stand with your legs a shoulder’s width apart, knees aligned over your feet. Slowly lower your buttocks as you bend your knees over your feet. Stand up straight again.
• Skating -- do several lunges. Take a moderately advanced step with one foot. Let your back knee come down to the floor while keeping your shoulders in position over your hips. Repeat the process with your other foot.
• Sledding/tobogganing -- do knee-to-chest stretches to fight compression injuries caused by repetitive bouncing over the snow. Either sitting or lying on your back, pull your knees to your chest and hold for up to 30 seconds.
• Don’t forget cool-down stretching for all of these sports -- at the bottom of the sledding hill, for instance, before trudging back up, do some more knees-to-chest stretches, or repetitive squatting movements to restore flexibility.
  
  

Shoveling snow can also wreak havoc on the musculoskeletal system. The ACA suggests the following tips for exercise of the snow shoveling variety:

• If you must shovel snow, be careful. Listen to weather forecasts so you can rise early and have time to shovel before work.
• Layer clothing to keep your muscles warm and flexible.
• Do some warm-up stretching before you grab the shovel.
• When you do shovel, push the snow straight ahead. Don’t try to throw it. Walk it to the snow bank. Avoid sudden twisting and turning motions.
• Bend your knees to lift when shoveling. Let the muscles of your legs and arms do the work, not your back.
• Take frequent rest breaks to take the strain off your muscles. A fatigued body asks for injury.
• Stop if you feel chest pain, or get really tired or have shortness of breath. You may need immediate professional help.
  
  

After any of these activities, if you are sore, apply an ice bag to the affected area for 20 minutes, then take it off for a couple of hours. Repeat a couple of times each day over the next day or two.

If you continue to feel soreness, pain or strain after following these tips, it may be time to visit a doctor of chiropractic. “I’ve always believed in chiropractic care,” says Parra. “I’ve used a lot of other treatments for injuries and pain, but the problem doesn’t get fixed until I go to a doctor of chiropractic.”

If you do not know a doctor of chiropractic in your area, call the ACA at 800-986-4636, or check out the ACA’s Web site at www.acatoday.com for a list of doctors of chiropractic near you. (11-29-01)

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

Pregnant women have long been advised to reduce their caffeine intake. But finding a hard and fast figure to guide you can be difficult.

The British Food Standards Agency (FSA), making a statement that comes in line with US recommendations, calls for pregnant women to consume no more than 300 milligrams of caffeine a day. Going over this amount can increase the risk of miscarriage and having a low birth weight baby.

How much is 300 milligrams? The FSA offers this advice:

An average cup of instant coffee: 75 mg
An average cup of brewed coffee: 100 mg
An average cup of tea: 50 mg
A regular cola drink: up to 40 mg
A regular energy drink: up to 80 mg
A normal bar of chocolate: up to 50 mg

Keep in mind that caffeine can hide in odd places. For instance, some over-the-counter medications contain caffeine. If you are ever in doubt, ask your doctor. (11-08-01)

To calculate the amount of caffeine in other products, use our caffeine calculator!

Pelvic Floor Exercises Lessen Incontinence

Keep those Kegels coming! Pelvic floor exercises and bladder training may reduce the risk of incontinence in women after childbirth. Scottish researchers found that after 12 months postpartum, women who did pelvic floor exercises under nurses’ instruction had significantly less overall and severe urinary and fecal incontinence than women who skipped the exercises.

Pelvic floor exercises, known as Kegel exercises (named after the doctor who invented them), can be practiced throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. While the specifics vary, most women can benefit by contracting and releasing the pelvic floor muscles several times a day. Variations include stopping and starting the flow of urine and holding the contracted pelvic floor muscles for a count of 10 before releasing the muscles in a slow and controlled manner. (11-08-01)

Eating Disorders And Pregnancy

Pregnant women with past or active anorexia or bulimia have an increased risk of fetal birth defects as well as substantially increased risks of postpartum depression. A team of Harvard Medical School researchers also found that pregnant women currently experiencing eating disorders have an increased risk of Cesarean birth. If you have a history of or are currently struggling with issues that surround eating disorders, talk openly with your doctor about how you can protect yourself and your pregnancy from complications. (11-08-01)

Maker Of Children’s Motrin Introduces First Over-the-Counter Dye-Free Liquid Pain Relievers

FORT WASHINGTON, Penn. -- McNeil Consumer Healthcare, maker of Children’s Motrin, has announced the introduction of the first over-the-counter line of dye-free, liquid pain relievers and fever reducers for children.

Children’s Motrin Non-Staining Dye-Free products give new treatment options to parents whose children may be sensitive or allergic to gluten, casein or dyes.

“Options are very important in children’s medicines,” said Dr. Peggy DeFelice, pediatrician and member of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Division of General Pediatrics. “Certain children, more than others, may be sensitive to dyes, such as children on restricted diets. As a parent, if you think your child may be sensitive to dyes, or if your pediatrician recommends a medicine without dyes, it’s comforting to know that you now have a choice.”

The new line includes two fever reducer/pain reliever products with the same active ingredient and berry flavor as the current Children’s Motrin line:

--Infant’s Motrin Non-Staining Dye-Free Concentrated Drops (1 oz.), 50-mg ibuprofen per 1.25 ml.
--Children’s Motrin Non-Staining Dye-Free Suspension (4 oz.), 100-mg ibuprofen per 5 ml

In addition, the dye-free line also includes the following Children’s Motrin cold product:

--Children’s Motrin Non-Staining Dye-Free Cold Suspension (4 oz), 100-mg ibuprofen/ 15-mg pseudoephedrine per 5 ml, is indicated for fever, stuffy nose and sore throat.

“McNeil understands the importance of options in children’s medicines,” said Scott Snyder, Franchise Director for Motrin and parent of a dye-sensitive child. “Children’s Motrin Non-Staining Dye-Free is the only over-the-counter product of its kind to offer parents who are concerned about dye sensitivities and dye allergies a pain reliever they can use with confidence.”

According to Dr. DeFelice, in addition to offering parents of dye-sensitive children a much-needed choice, the new formula also offers the convenience of being non-staining.

“As a mother of five, I know that some children are difficult medicine takers. With Children’s Motrin Non-Staining Dye-Free, I don’t have to worry about accidental spills staining clothes or furniture,” said Dr. DeFelice.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a Johnson & Johnson company, is the country’s leading marketer of children’s analgesics with its Children’s Motrin and Children’s TYLENOL lines. Johnson & Johnson is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of healthcare products. (11-01-01)

Read more about red food dye here!

Aging Expert Advises Balanced TV Diet

HOUSTON -- Just as people sometimes eat too much, they can also overindulge in their “TV diet.”

“Many older individuals look to their television as a source of comfort. Bad TV news can result in heightened fears or depression,” says Dr. Robert Roush, associate professor at the Huffington Center on Aging at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

His advice? Stay informed, but take a break. Possible alternate activities include going to a noontime concert, tuning in to a light-hearted movie, picking up a favorite novel to re-read, taking a walk, getting on-line, listening to some good music, or calling a loved one. (10-25-01)

Take A Walk When The Back Starts Aching

HOUSTON -- Aching joints and bulging midsections often begin to pay a visit around middle age, but exercise can help send them packing.

“It is possible to lower your risk of certain diseases that may be associated with physical activity and exercise even if you are over 40, 50 or even 60,” says Dr. David Lintner, an orthopedic surgeon at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

In addition, many other problems often associated with aging -- lack of flexibility, muscle weakness and decreased endurance -- are actually the result of inactivity. Simple exercises, such as walking 30 minutes a day, can help you stay energized and battle aging.

“Walking is the activity of choice for many older people who don’t feel they want to compete in an organized sport,” he said. “It’s relatively easy on the joints and can be just as beneficial as running or jogging.”

Sets of push-ups and sit-ups on a regular basis can add a strengthening element to a workout program, and stretching is important as well. Older muscles tend to get stiff, and tight muscles are more likely to get injured. (10-25-01)

Calcium-boosting Carbohydrate Studied

HOUSTON -- A new study called BoneMax is testing whether a carbohydrate, inulin, can help growing kids absorb more calcium and build stronger bones.

A pilot study completed last year at the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine suggests it can.

“In our earlier study, inulin supplements increased the amount of calcium adolescent girls absorbed from a high-calcium diet by nearly 80 milligrams or 18 percent,” says Dr. Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at Baylor and the principal investigator of the study.

Older children normally absorb only about 30 percent of the calcium present in their diets. So, an 80 milligram boost is equivalent to drinking an extra seven ounces of milk.

Inulin’s ability to “raise the bar” of calcium absorption among kids who consume a high-calcium diet leads Abrams to believe it might also help kids whose calcium intakes are less than optimal.

“Encouraging kids to consume plenty of calcium-rich foods is very important,” he says. “But, if inulin can help kids absorb more calcium from the foods they already eat, the impact on developing skeletons, especially in kids with marginal diets, could be significant.”

Inulin is already present in many processed foods, where it is used to add texture to low-calorie spreads, candies, processed cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, baked goods and low-fat meats and meat substitutes. Natural sources include onions, asparagus, leeks, garlic, artichokes, bananas, wheat, rye, barley and chicory.

High in soluble fiber and low in calories, inulin is considered a “partially digestible” carbohydrate, yielding just 1.5 calories per gram, compared to 4 calories per gram for fully digestible carbohydrates like sugar and 9 calories per gram for fat.

Children, ages 9-12, enrolled in the study will drink calcium-fortified orange juice or milk containing a small amount of a flavorless inulin powder, or a placebo, every day for one year. The study also involves periodic body composition tests, including bone density and percent-body fat scans, and calcium balance studies. (10-23-01)

CPSC Chairman Awards Safety Commendation To Williams-Sonoma

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced that Chairman Ann Brown has awarded the Chairman’s Commendation to Williams-Sonoma Inc., of San Francisco, Calif. This award commends Williams-Sonoma for leading the way on recall effectiveness in an electronic era.

CPSC recognized Williams-Sonoma for its innovative and effective actions in making the recall of a portable gas grill more than 99 percent successful. The company achieved this outstanding result through a willingness to try a new approach: using their own electronic credit card records and working with bank credit card companies to identify purchasers of the grills, and notifying customers of the recall individually. The company also provided each consumer with a $50 gift certificate, in addition to a full refund for the grill.

According to CPSC’s 1998 Resident Fire Loss Estimates, on average there are about 600 fires and 30 consumer injuries per year, associated with outdoor gas grills.

“CPSC has long sought ways to improve recall effectiveness. Williams-Sonoma’s creative use of its customer database shows that companies can find new ways to make recalls more effective,” said Chairman Brown. “Williams-Sonoma has demonstrated their commitment to consumer safety, by ensuring that customers were properly notified of a dangerous recalled product.”

“Customers are the most important asset Williams-Sonoma has as a company, and customer safety and service has always been our very top priority,” stated Williams-Sonoma Inc. Chairman Howard Lester. “We are pleased to have so effectively notified our customers about this recall, and are greatly honored to be recognized by the CPSC for our efforts.” (10-17-01)

Ground Beef Recalled in Joliet, Ill. Due to Possible E. coli Contamination

Chicago -- A Cubs Foods store in Joliet, Ill. is recalling 40 pounds of ground beef that could be contaminated with E. coli.

Each package has “Cub Foods” on the label and also “chuck ground beef 8-20.” The meat was produced on October 1, 2001, in various sizes. Each package has a “sell-by” date of October 2 and a “use or freeze by” date of October 3. The E. coli bacteria can cause diarrhea and dehydration and often has the worst affects on the elderly or very young.

Consumers should contact the store about a refund. The store is located at 191 South Larken St. in Joliet, Ill. (10-08-01)

Fish-oil Supplements Don¹t Improve ADD/ADHD Symptoms

HOUSTON -- DHA supplements do not improve the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children, according to researchers at the USDA/ARS Children¹s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

DHA, or docosahexonic acid, is a fatty acid found in fish and fish oil, and is normally found in high concentrations in the brain membranes. It is thought to be involved in maintaining the brain¹s ³electrical wiring.²

According to Dr. William Heird, a Baylor professor of pediatrics and CNRC fatty acid expert, children with ADD/ADHD have low levels of DHA in their plasma and red blood cells, which suggests that their brain levels might also be low.

During the four-month study, 63 children, ages 6 through 12, took a daily capsule that contained either DHA or a placebo. All also continued their successful treatment for ADD/ADHD with stimulant medications.

Changes in ADD/ADHD symptoms were measured using standardized tests of inattention and impulsivity following a 24-hour period when the children were medication-free. Parents also monitored their children¹s behavior changes using two standardized scales. Who received the DHA was not revealed until the end of the study.

But despite an average 2.6-fold increase in blood-DHA levels in the DHA-supplemented group, there were no measurable differences in AD/HD symptoms between the children who took DHA and those who did not. (09-19-01)

The International Bottled Water Association Offers Tips For Avoiding Dehydration

With temperatures soaring to more than 90 degrees in many parts of the country, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) encourages Americans to stay properly hydrated to avoid heat stroke and other harmful conditions caused by dehydration.

Dehydration can be a dangerous health risk that may affect blood pressure, circulation, digestion, kidney function and nearly all body functions. Increasing your daily water intake is crucial to remaining properly hydrated and staving off the effects of dehydration during especially hot weather.

Proper hydration is important all year-round, particularly during periods of extremely hot temperatures when hydration becomes even more critical to health and wellness. Some of the warning signs associated with dehydration include nausea, headaches, dry lips and loss of energy. Dehydration must be taken seriously by everyone, because it can be fatal if it progresses into heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Below are some helpful hydration tips:

• Drink at least eight 8-ounce servings of water each day. The more active you are, the more water you need to replenish lost fluids.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water. By the time you feel thirsty, you have probably already lost two or more cups of your total body water composition.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Convenience is a must, so carry bottled water with you as you commute to work, run errands or enjoy a day at the beach. While at work, keep bottled water on your desk, or visit the office water cooler and take frequent water breaks.
• Make sure your children drink enough water. Children need water to balance their intake of other beverages -- especially during activities. Packing bottled water in a child’s lunch instead of juice or regular soda can also help prevent childhood obesity.
  
  

Consumer Usage Survey “Ten Tips for Hydration” developed in partnership with the Nutrition Information Center at the Rockefeller University and The International Bottled Water Association. Contact IBWA at 703-683-5213 to receive a copy of the entire Fact Sheet. (08-09-10)

Plan Now to Avoid Unnecessary Withholding Taxes

While millions await the promised tax refund, most working taxpayers don’t know they might have saved even more money in the first place if they had taken all of the withholding taxes allowed by the IRS, says Diane Kennedy, CPA and author of “Loopholes of the Rich: How the Rich Legally Make More Money and Pay Less Tax.” Most consumers just aren’t aware they can choose to pay less in taxes by making certain their W-4 forms contain the updated W-4 for withholding filed with their employer, she says.

One item that could signal a change to the amount of taxes withheld is a change in dependents. This could be due to the birth of a child or when a child grows up and leaves home. Either change means an adjustment to Form W-4. Kennedy offers one more tip: “If you always receive a refund, decrease your withholding by increasing your exemptions. If you receive a large refund, you have just given the IRS an interest-free loan. Instead, use the extra money you will get each month to invest.”

New ‘Ingredient Facts’ Label Proposed By CSPI

WASHINGTON -- Strawberry yogurt with no strawberries. Carrot cake with more salt than carrot. Peaches and Cream oatmeal with no peaches. Because of such trickery, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to stop deceptive claims and to require labels to declare the percentages of key ingredients, something that is already required in many countries. Also, CSPI formally petitioned the FDA to establish a new, more readable “Ingredient Facts” label to enable people to know what’s in their food.

The “ingredient secrets” are unmasked in the July/August 2001 Nutrition Action Healthletter, published by CSPI. At a Washington press conference, CSPI charged that some manufacturers are featuring certain ingredients in the names of their foods, but providing little or none in the actual foods. Some examples include:

• Stonyfield Farms Strawberry Stratosphere Yosqueeze yogurt has no berries -- only beet juice to simulate a strawberry color, plus natural flavors.
• Quaker Strawberries & Cream and Peaches & Cream Oatmeal do not contain strawberries or peaches, just dried apple bits with artificial color.
• Betty Crocker Stir ‘n Bake Carrot Cake Mix lists carrot powder as the last ingredient, which means the cake mix has more salt, cinnamon, red dye, xanthan gum and other additives than carrot powder.
  
  
• The label on Nissin Cup Noodles promises “more shrimp,” but the cups examined by CSPI contained only zero to four tiny shrimp.
  
  

CSPI has asked the FDA to require companies to disclose the percentages of key ingredients in their products. The U.S. lags behind Australia, New Zealand, the 15-member European Union, and Thailand, which already require some form of percentage ingredient labeling.

CSPI is also petitioning the FDA for new rules that would make ingredient lists easier to read. That could be accomplished with a design similar to the “Nutrition Facts” label, designed by Greenfield-Belser Inc. At CSPI’s request, that firm has designed an “Ingredient Facts” label. (07-26-01)

CSPI Launches The "Serving Safer Shellfish" Campaign

WASHINGTON -- Prompted by deaths caused every year by tainted Gulf of Mexico shellfish, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) launched a campaign to increase shellfish safety.

According to "Death on the Half Shell," a CSPI report, government inaction has led to more than 135 deaths from contaminated oysters since 1989. The campaign urges consumers not to eat and shellfish dealers, retailers, and restaurants not to market raw Gulf Coast oysters unless they have been processed to kill bacteria.

Government reports show that virtually all shellfish harvested from the Gulf of Mexico in warmer months carry Vibrio vulnificus. Tainted raw shellfish are most likely to cause blood infections in the 12 million to 30 million Americans who have underlying health conditions, such as liver disease, diabetes, cancer, hepatitis, and kidney disease, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Half the people who develop V. vulnificus blood infections from raw shellfish die, making it one of the deadliest types of food poisoning.

At a Washington press conference, CSPI was joined by Roger Berkowitz, president of Legal Sea Foods, in announcing a new campaign to promote safer shellfish. The "Serving Safer Shellfish" campaign will urge oyster lovers not to eat raw untreated Gulf Coast oysters. It also will urge restaurants, retailers, and seafood wholesalers to market only shellfish that are harvested from cold waters, such as New England or Northwest Pacific coastal waters, or Gulf Coast shellfish that have been processed to kill Vibrio vulnificus.

Companies that take the Serving Safer Shellfish campaign pledge will display the "Serving Safer Shellfish" logo, inform consumers about the source of the shellfish they serve, support FDA actions to ensure that Gulf Coast oysters are safe, and talk to the local media about how they are protecting their customers' health. (07-09-01)

Leave Fireworks to Professionals

ROSEMONT, Ill.-- To reduce the risk of hand amputation and other fireworks-related injury, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is urging people not to handle, ignite or transport these devices -- even if their state permits it.

"An exploding firecracker can devastate a person's life in a flash," says Academy first vice president Vernon T. Tolo, MD, a Los Angeles orthopaedic surgeon. "Fireworks should be off limits to all except qualified personnel. The risk is too great. Firecrackers can misfire. A wind shift might change the rocket's direction or what seems to be a 'dud' suddenly explodes. Most of these injuries could be prevented."

Hospitals and doctors' offices treated an estimated 16,700 fireworks-related injuries in 2000 among youth under age 25 years, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Because of potential peer pressure, children need to be supervised by adults at all times at these events. "Under no circumstances should children play with firecrackers or sparklers," says Dr. Tolo.

Number ff Birth Defects Down Due to Fortification of Foods

CHICAGO -- The number of children born with certain spinal and brain defects has dropped 19 percent in the United States since folic acid has been added to some foods, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Between 2,500 and 3,000 babies were born each year with spinal and brain defects before foods such as breads and flour were required to be fortified with folic acid. According to the CDC, the number of defects per 100,000 live births dropped from 37.8 to 30.5 after fortification.

The study was based on information collected in 45 states and the District of Columbia from 1990 through 1999. (06-20-01)

Read more about the importance of folic acid here!

CSPI Calls For Allergy Labeling Legislation

WASHINGTON -- The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has called for Federal legislation to ensure that all food manufacturers comply with labeling and other measures to protect consumers from allergens in food.

"Five years ago the Food and Drug Administration asked food manufacturers voluntarily to disclose the presence of food allergens and to deal with 'cross-contamination'," said Michael F. Jacobson, CSPI's Executive Director. "Yet last year an FDA survey revealed that one-quarter of a sampling of foods contained undeclared allergens. It's time for Congress to step in and pass the bill that Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) will introduce shortly. Without such a law, FDA cannot take action against products that contain accidental contaminants. The food industry's promotion today of voluntary labeling is a tactic for preventing necessary legislation."

In June 1996, Fred R. Shank, then Director of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), wrote to the National Food Processors (NFPA) Association and more than 100 other food trade associations. He asked them to notify their members of the need to disclose on the package even minute amounts of allergens, including those in spices, flavorings, and colorings and "to take all steps necessary to eliminate cross contamination." In December 1996, Dr. David A. Kessler, then FDA Commissioner, also wrote to the NFPA asking for its help in "addressing a major public health problem of undeclared allergens in food."

A 2000 survey by the FDA, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection found that in a sampling of 85 manufacturers of bakery products, candy, and ice cream in Minnesota and Wisconsin, one-quarter made products that were contaminated with peanut or egg ingredients that were not declared on the product labels. (05-30-01)

Summer Food Safety: Ice Cream, Salad are Major Sources of Food Illness Outbreaks

WASHINGTON -- With picnic and barbecue season about to go into full swing, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) alerted consumers today about steps they can take to avoid food safety problems. Many summertime favorites, like ice cream, fresh fruit and salads, sometimes cause food poisoning. Those foods caused at least 130 confirmed food-poisoning outbreaks between 1990 and 2000, according to CSPI's report Outbreak Alert! Closing the Gaps in Our Federal Food Safety Net. The report compiles data from laboratory-confirmed food-poisoning outbreaks reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state public-health departments and medical journals. Most cases of food poisoning are never reported or confirmed.

Over the past decade, fruits and vegetables were linked to at least 82 outbreaks of other food-borne illness, according to the CSPI report. For example, this spring a food poisoning outbreak, suspected of causing 33 illnesses and two deaths, has been traced to cantaloupe in California and several other states. In 1996, an outbreak of Cyclospora caused by imported raspberries sickened nearly 1,500 people in 21 states and Canada. Produce outbreaks also were caused by domestically grown fruits and vegetables.

Raw eggs can result in a problem when used in homemade ice cream and salads. CSPI documented over 30 outbreaks from ice cream. Twenty-four outbreaks were caused by salads and salad dressings, including such favorites as Caesar salad, chicken salad, potato salad and cole slaw. Hazards in salad included Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli 0157:H7, and the virus Hepatitis A. (05.25.01)

Read more about foodborne illnesses here.

National Poll Shows "Alcopop" Drinks Lure Teens

WASHINGTON -- Alcohol producers have a new treat for teenagers as prom and graduation party season begins. A poll conducted for the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Inc. shows that "alcopop" beverages (sweet, fruit-flavored, malt-based drinks) appeal more to teenagers than to adults and that teens are more likely to consume them.

New beverages, including Mike's Hard Lemonade, Rick's Spiked Lemonade, Doc Otis' Hard Lemonade, Jed's Hard Lemonade, Tequiza, Sublime, and Hooper's Hooch, come in hip, bright, and colorful youth-oriented packaging. The labels resemble non-alcoholic lemonade, fruit punches and soft drinks -- all popular with teens -- though labels do disclose alcohol content. More than 80 percent of teens say "alcopops" are easy to get if they want them.

By a three to one margin, teens report more familiarity than adults with "alcopops" and 17- and 18-year-olds are more than twice as likely as adults to have tried them. Most teenagers and adults surveyed believe that the new drinks are marketed primarily to people under the legal alcohol purchase age of 21, and nine in 10 teens and 67 percent of adults think that companies make "alcopops" taste like lemonade to lure young people into trying them.

According to the poll:

• 90 percent of teens agree that drinking the newer, sweeter drinks can make it more likely that teenagers will try other alcoholic beverages;
• 41 percent of teens 14 to 18 have tried an "alcopop";
• twice as many 14- to 16-year-olds prefer them over beer or mixed drinks;
• more than half of all teens point to attributes of the products -- their sweet taste, the disguised taste of alcohol, and their easy-to-drink character -- as major reasons teenagers choose "alcopops" over beer, wine, or cocktails.
  
  

More than 10 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 currently drink alcohol. Alcohol kills many more teenagers than all illicit drugs combined. It is a major factor in the four leading causes of death among teens -- motor vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicides, and suicides. According to estimates developed for the U.S. Department of Justice, underage drinking cost the nation some $53 billion in 1996.

CSPI poll, "What Teens are Saying about 'Alcopops,'" was conducted during March 2001 by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Inc. It included telephone interviews with 600 teenagers 14 to 18 years old and 500 adults 21 and over. (05.09.01)

FSIS Technical Conference and Public Meeting to Focus on Proposal to Improve Safety of Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service is sponsoring a technical conference and public meeting to discuss scientific research and new technologies, provide information, and receive public comments specific to the recently proposed regulatory requirements for ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

The technical conference will be held on Tuesday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9 through Thursday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Both events will be held at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005. To register for these events or arrange for a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation, contact Mary Harris, (202) 690-6497; fax (202) 690-6500. (05.01.01)

FDA Discovers Undeclared Allergens in Processed Foods

WASHINGTON -- A new unpublished government report reveals that numerous processed foods are contaminated with peanut or egg allergens, but their labeling does not disclose the presence of those substances. Sensitive individuals could suffer life-threatening reactions if they consume those tiny amounts of egg or peanut protein. The study is discussed in the April issue of Nutrition Action Healthletter, published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and in the New York Times.

Twenty-one of 85 food manufacturers inspected by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state investigators in Minnesota and Wisconsin in 1999 and 2000 were producing foods containing peanut or egg allergens without declaring the presence of those allergens on their labels, a new FDA study has found. Of 118 samples of baked goods, candy and ice cream that inspectors suspected were contaminated, 23 contained enough peanut or egg proteins to cause an allergic reaction.

In its survey of 85 small, medium and large food plants, FDA and state inspectors found that only half the firms were checking to see that the ingredients they listed on their products' labels matched the ingredients actually used to manufacture the foods. And half of the plants that didn't check were marketing foods that contained allergens not disclosed on the labels.

Some companies, for instance, were modifying their recipes without changing the lists of ingredients, while others were using the same equipment to make foods with peanuts or eggs that they were using to make foods that were supposed to be allergen-free.

Recent studies indicate that the problem of cross-contamination is national in scope. In 1999, the Oregon Department of Agriculture tested 62 chocolate candies manufactured in that state that were not supposed to contain peanuts. Fourteen, or 23 percent, tested positive for significant levels of peanut allergens. State inspectors found that companies were not separating the production runs of their different candies or cleaning their machinery properly.

In 2000, researchers at the University of Nebraska found that of 19 cereals, confections, snack foods and other foods that did not list peanuts as an ingredient or indicate that the products may contain peanuts, four (21 percent) contained detectable levels of peanut allergens.

CSPI is calling on the FDA to implement new preventive control systems -- called "HACCP" -- in food plants to ensure that food does not become contaminated with allergens. HACCP, which stands for Hazards Analysis Critical Control Points, is being used by the meat, poultry, and seafood industries to control other forms of food contamination.

CSPI also called on Congress to beef up FDA's inspections of food plants to better enforce food-safety laws and labeling requirements. FDA inspects the average food plant only once every five years, with states providing some additional inspections. (04.04.01)

Read more about peanut allergies here.

Eating Peanuts Before Nursing Could Cause Peanut Allergies

CHICAGO -- Eating peanuts before breastfeeding could cause allergies in children, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers studied breastmilk from 23 women after they had eaten one cup of peanuts. Up to six hours later, peanut protein was found in 11 of the women's milk.

Infants are more susceptible to developing food allergies because of their immature immune systems. Researchers encourage women with a family history of allergies to avoid eating peanuts while breastfeeding. (04.04.01)

Read more about peanut allergies here.

Food Courts Not Great for Those Watching Their Weight

WASHINGTON -- Food courts are fattening Americans up as they shop, according to the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

A recent report surveyed a sample of the menu items offered at food court establishments such as Sbarro, The Great Steak & Potato Company, Panda Express, Starbucks, Mrs. Fields and TCBY. Their foods are similar to what's served at many malls around the country. (CSPI obtained most of the nutrition information from the chains themselves, though it analyzed several items.) Some of the offerings are excellent, but others would make a cardiologist's cash register light up:

• Schlotzsky's Deli's Large Original sandwich (made with three types each of meat and cheese) has about 1,300 calories, 50 grams of fat (25 of them saturated), and 4,400 milligrams of sodium. For most people, that's two-thirds of a day's calories, one day's artery-clogging saturated fat and two days' sodium. Think of it as three McDonald's Quarter Pounders.
• Starbucks' Venti (20-ounce) White Chocolate Mocha made with whole milk has 600 calories and three-quarters of a day's saturated fat. It's a milk shake, not a cup of coffee.
• Sbarro's Baked Ziti or one slice of Sausage & Pepperoni Stuffed Pizza has more than 800 calories and an entire day's worth of saturated fat.
• The Great Steak & Potato Company's large Fresh Cut Fries has more than 900 calories. Add a large Great Steak sandwich and your meal would contain over 2,000 calories, 100 grams (23 teaspoons) of fat, and a day-and-a-half's worth of saturated fat.
• Mrs. Fields' Peanut Butter Dreambar will give you 670 calories, 21 grams of saturated fat, and 12 teaspoons of sugar. A single Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie with Walnuts has about 300 calories and nine grams of saturated fat -- about as much as a 12-ounce sirloin steak.
• At TCBY, a large Waffle Cone with yogurt, hot fudge and M&M's has 700 calories -- about the same as a McDonald's Big Mac and a small Coke.
• Gulping down a king-size Strawberry Hulk at Smoothie King will add a whole day's worth of calories (1,910) and fat (58 grams).
  
  

"It's no wonder that more than half of all Americans are overweight," says Jayne Hurley, senior nutritionist at CSPI. "You can walk into a food court looking for a snack and walk out with a meal's worth of saturated fat and calories. Most people don't need an extra 1,000 calories hugging their hips. And all that saturated fat and sodium promote heart disease.

If you look carefully, however, some "pretty healthful meals" can be found.

• Au Bon Pain's Thai Chicken Sandwich, Honey Smoked Turkey Wrap Sandwich, Pesto Chicken Salad and Yogurt with Fresh Berries or (or with Granola)
• Smoothie King's small Slim & Trim Smoothies
• Starbucks' Cappuccino or Caffe Latte with skim milk
• Panda Express' single entree of Chicken with Mushrooms, Chicken with String Beans, or Black Pepper Chicken served with steamed rice
• Schlotzsky's line of Light and Flavorful sandwiches, such as the Pesto Chicken or Dijon Chicken
• TCBY's small cups or cones of frozen yogurt. (03.22.01)
  
  

Free Emergency Telephone Stickers Available

The Council on Family Health (CFH) is urging parents to heed National Poison Prevention Week (March 18-24) and keep emergency telephone numbers on hand in case of an accidental poisoning. To help parents, CFH is offering its popular emergency telephone stickers at no charge. Printed in prominent red and white, these peel-and-stick labels can be affixed to walls, refrigerators, or any noticeable place near, or even on, a telephone. Spaces have been provided on the stickers for the telephone numbers of a family doctor, the local pharmacy, and the nearest poison control center.

Emergency stickers (two per household) are available at no charge by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Council on Family Health, "Emergency Stickers," at 1155 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036.

The Council on Family Health is a nonprofit organization established more than 30 years ago, dedicated to educating consumers about the proper use of nonprescription and prescription medicines and dietary supplements, home safety and personal health. (03.13.01)

Americans Do Not Get Enough Exercise, CDC Reports

ATLANTA -- Only 25 percent of adults in the United States exercise enough, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The results, which were based on random phone surveys between 1990 and 1998, also found that 30 percent do not exercise at all. The CDC recommends people exercise moderately for 30 minutes a day, or vigorously for 20 minutes per day. (03.09.01)

Peppermint Oil Found To Help Children Suffering From Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Peppermint oil helps relieve pain in children with the disorder called irritable bowel syndrome, according to a study in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Researchers studied 42 children between the ages of 8 and 17 that suffered with irritable bowel syndrome. The children were divided into two groups -- one receiving peppermint oil capsules and the other receiving a placebo.

The children were evaluated after two weeks. The children taking the peppermint oil pill had a significant improvement in their symptoms, with three-quarters saying the severity of their symptoms decreased, and about half saying they felt "much better." Less than one-fifth of the children receiving the placebo reported any improvement in their symptoms.

Irritable bowel syndrome can cause cramping, gas, bloating and changes in the bowels -- some are constipated, while others suffer from diarrhea. The symptoms are triggered by stress and sometimes certain foods. (02.21.01)

Consumer Coalitions Argue That the FDA Should Warn Pregnant Women and Parents of Young Children About Dangers of Eating Certain Fish

WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should warn pregnant women and parents of young children about the risks associated with methylmercury-contaminated fish, urged a broad-based consumer coalition today. In a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Donna Shalala, the groups stressed that methylmercury-contaminated seafood may be causing neurological problems in as many as 60,000 children born each year, according to a report issued by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) last July. The coalition members are the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the American Public Health Association, the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, the Mercury Policy Project (MPP) and the Sierra Club.

"FDA's current advice on methylmercury-contaminated seafood doesn't adequately protect pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, director of food safety at CSPI. "Countless children may needlessly suffer because their parents were never told about the consequences of consuming mercury-tainted fish."

The coalition asked HHS to warn at-risk women and children not to eat shark, swordfish and tuna steaks, the seafood most likely to exceed recommended limits on methylmercury. (01.11.01)

Taking Diuretics To Treat High Blood Pressure Could Reduce Risk Of Stroke

CHICAGO -- Diuretics, a common drug used to treat high blood pressure, could also prevent strokes, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers studied 3,170 people taking drugs to treat high blood pressure. Those not taking a diuretic were found to have an 85 percent higher chance of having a stroke. Diuretics, also called water pills, work by removing excess sodium and water from the body. (01.08.01)

Exercise Found to Slow Progression of Artery Disease in Middle-Aged Men

NEW YORK -- Exercise could slow the progression of artery disease in middle-aged men, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers studied 854 middle-aged men for four years. Exercise tests were done on the men at the beginning of the study, and then again four years later. They were also questioned on their exercise habits, and had an ultrasound to measure plaque buildup. The researchers found that the men in the best shape had the slowest progression of plaque in their neck arteries. (01.02.01)

Soaking Brown Rice Before Eating Adds To Nutritional Value

NEW YORK -- Soaking brown rice before cooking could increase the nutritional value, according to researchers at the Shinshu University in Nagano.

When the rice is soaked for one day before cooking, germination starts taking place, causing a small sprout on the rice. Researchers believe this causes enzymes in rice that were once dormant to come alive. The rice contains more vitamins, minerals, fiber and lysine -- an important amino acid -- than rice that has not been soaked. (12.18.00)

Frito-Lay Checking for Genetically Engineered Corn in Cheetos

DALLAS -- Frito-Lay Inc. is running tests on Cheetos to ensure they do not contain genetically engineered corn. The corn, called StarLink, was found in Mission tortillas and corn chips a few months ago, leading to a recall of the products. Frito-Lay is testing their chips for the corn, which has caused supplies to be down as much as 10 percent. StarLink is not approved for human consumption. (12/11/00)

New Labels on Eggs Not Enough, Says CSPI

The Food and Drug Administration's new ruling on egg labeling and refrigeration will help prevent food poison, but does not go far enough, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

The FDA will require labels to be placed on cartons containing unpasteurized eggs. The label will remind consumers how they can avoid getting ill from contaminated eggs. The CSPI applauds this new requirement, but also reminds consumers that eggs and egg dishes are linked to nearly 200 foodborne illness outbreaks since 1990. An estimated 660,000 people become ill, and about 330 people die each year from eating contaminated eggs.

The CSPI says the best way to prevent outbreaks and illnesses is to prevent contaminated eggs from reaching the market to begin with. For this reason, CSPI has long advocated on-farm SE monitoring and control programs, which can achieve dramatic reductions in SE prevalence. Safe handling instructions on egg cartons are not enough. Safe handling begins on the farm, not in the home.

Unfortunately, the FDA's new rule also contains refrigeration requirements that, while an improvement on existing standards, are insufficient to fully protect consumers.

The FDA advises people to cook their eggs thoroughly -- no sunny-side up or over-easy eggs. Eating raw cookie dough that contains eggs is also not recommended.

Food poisoning can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea, vomiting and fever. (12/5/00)

CSPI Petitions To Have Garlic Supplement Makers Stop Making Health Claims

WASHINGTON -- Garlic supplements do not lower cholesterol levels for periods long enough to do much good, so dietary supplement companies should stop telling consumers they do, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). In petitions, CSPI urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to halt cholesterol-reduction claims for garlic supplements manufactured by Kwai, One A Day, Nature Made, Centrum Herbals and several other companies. CSPI called the manufacturers' claims "false and misleading."

"In its October report, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that garlic supplements did not lower cholesterol for periods long enough to improve health, yet manufacturers of popular garlic supplements continue to claim they do," stated David Schardt, CSPI associate nutritionist.

CSPI petitioned the FDA, which regulates supplement labeling, to stop the following products from making false and misleading labeling claims:

• Kwai Dietary Supplement ("Clinically Proven To Support Cardiovascular Health & Lower Cholesterol")
• Kwai Heart Fit Garlic ("Proven To Lower Cholesterol and Maintain A Healthy Heart and Circulatory System")
• One A Day Cholesterol Health Dietary Supplement ("Helps Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels")
• Nature Made Herbs Garlic Supplement ("May Help Reduce Blood Cholesterol")

CSPI petitioned the FTC, which regulates supplement advertising, to stop false and misleading advertisements made by the following companies:

• Kwai (30-second TV ads claim: "The Garlic Supplement Proven To Lower Cholesterol")
• Centrum Herbals (claim that its garlic tablets "maintain healthy cholesterol")
• Nature Made (claims on its Web site that "Scientific studies have shown that Garlic may help reduce blood cholesterol")
• Life Extension's Pure-Gar Garlic Capsules (magazine ad claims that "If you're trying to lower cholesterol or blood pressure, take seven to eight Pure-Gar caps a day"). (12/15/00)

Bigger Children More Likely to Develop Diabetes

NEW YORK -- Bigger children may have an increased risk of developing Type I diabetes, according to a study published in the December issue of Diabetes Care.

Results of the study found that obese children, older than 3 years, are twice as likely to develop diabetes than thinner children. Taller children had an even great chance of being diagnosed with the disease. (11.27.00)

Read more on diabetes here.

Medical Community Urges Bayer to Comply with Poultry Drug Ban

WASHINGTON -- More than 150 health professionals and organizations, including the American Medical Association, urged the Bayer Corporation to comply voluntarily with the Food and Drug Administration's recent proposal to ban the use of certain antibiotics in chickens and turkeys. The antibiotics in question, known as fluoroquinolones, are also the best drug for treating severe food poisoning in humans. Bayer, which is the only remaining manufacturer of these antibiotics for use in poultry, also produces Bayer Aspirin, Flintstones vitamins and numerous other consumer products.

In proposing the ban, FDA cited sharply rising rates of resistance to fluoroquinolones by Campylobacter bacteria, which are the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. Absent a ban, FDA concluded that "more people will be unable to be effectively treated with fluoroquinolones when those drugs are needed for foodborne illness." Such illnesses can be life-threatening for the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems such as chemotherapy patients, transplant patients and AIDS patients.

Bayer has until November 30 to decide whether to consent to the FDA's proposed ban or to request a formal hearing on the proposal -- a process that could take many months or even years.

The other manufacturer of fluoroquinolones for poultry, Abbott Laboratories, voluntarily withdrew its product when the FDA said a ban was about to be proposed. Public interest groups have previously applauded Abbott's leadership. (11.21.00)

CSPI Releases Formula to Keep Your Holiday Leftovers Safe

WASHINGTON -- More than half of the food poisoning outbreaks linked to turkey are caused by improper cooling, not improper cooking, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

In an analysis of outbreak data, the consumer group found that Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus caused 52 percent of food poisoning outbreaks linked to turkey between 1990 and 1997. Salmonella caused the remaining 48 percent of outbreaks.

To stop bacterial growth on leftovers, CSPI recommends consumers use a simple formula:

• 2 hours: Move the meal from the oven to the feast to the refrigerator in two hours or less.
• 2 inches: Store refrigerated food at a shallow depth -- about two inches -- to speed chilling.
• 4 days: Eat refrigerated leftovers in four days or less. Freeze leftovers that will be kept longer.

"Following the 2 hours -- 2 inches -- 4 days formula for all leftovers could help prevent about 400,000 food-related illnesses each year," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, food-safety director for CSPI. (11.17.00)

New Drug Approved to Stop Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

WASHINGTON -- A new drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for people with late-stage multiple sclerosis.

Mixoxantrone, which will be sold under the name Novantrone, helps slow the progression of the disease by suppressing the attacking cells. Side effects can include nausea, hair loss, menstrual disorders and certain kinds of infections. The FDA has also warned the drug could cause heart problems in some patients. Mixoxantrone is given intravenously every three months, and will cost between $2,800 and $3,000 per year.

Multiple sclerosis attacks a person's nervous system causing weakness, poor muscle quality, blurred vision, and can lead to paralysis. (11.14.00)

Filtered Coffee Could Increase Your Risk Of Heart Disease

NEW YORK -- Daily consumption of filtered coffee could increase your risk of heart disease, according to a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In the study, researchers calculated homocysteine levels in people between the ages of 18 and 53 drinking a liter of coffee a day for four weeks. The findings were compared to another group that did not drink coffee.

People who drank more than a liter a day of filtered coffee had a 20 percent increase in homocysteine levels after two weeks. Increased homocysteine, a compound the body produces as it metabolizes proteins, can lead to heart problems. Researchers do point out that most people do not consume as much coffee as the study volunteers. (11.13.00)

The FDA Warns Consumers About Taking Drugs Containing Phenylpropanolamine and Ephedra

WASHINGTON -- Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and Ephedra, also known as huang, could cause strokes, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Results of the study showed that women between the ages of 18 and 49 that take medications containing PPA, or appetite suppressants containing Ephedra, were 16 times more likely to suffer a stroke, or bleeding in the brain. People using these drugs for the first time were three times more likely of having a stroke.

Many retailers are pulling products containing PPA and Ephedra off their shelves. The Food and Drug Administration is also asking companies to voluntarily stop making these medications.

PPA can be found in nasal decongestants such as Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules, Tavist-D, Robitussin and some Triaminic products. Ephedra can be found in products such as Metabolife, Acutrim and Dexatrim. The FDA warns consumers to check the labels before purchasing any of these drugs.

Consumers with questions should call the Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-INFO-FDA. (11.07.00)

Health Claim On Orange Juice Approved By The FDA

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Tropicana orange juice will now have its new health claim on the container, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Promotes Cardiovascular Heath" will now be on containers of Tropicana's Pure Premium Orange Juice. The new package will also read, "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke." Other makers of orange juice can now use the same claim on their products. (10.31.00)

Center For Disease Control (CDC) Releases Updated Facts About Diabetes

Facts About Diabetes

• Nearly 16 million Americans suffer from diagnosed diabetes; one-third do not know they have it. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
• The prevalence of diabetes -- including gestational diabetes -- among adults rose 33 percent between 1990 and 1998. The increased rates of diabetes correlate with increased rates of obesity during the same period.
• During the last decade, the prevalence of diabetes increased among men and women of all ages and ethnic groups and in nearly all states. Among individuals aged 30-39, the prevalence of diabetes increased 76 percent.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults aged 20-74.
• Approximately 65 percent of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.
• People with diabetes have up to 4 times the rate of heart disease as people without diabetes.
• Preventive care services can minimize diabetes-related complications such as blindness, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and amputations.
• Preventive care is lowest among people living in the South, people with less than a high school education and people without health insurance.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD, i.e., chronic kidney failure). Among Native Americans, diabetes accounts for 60 percent of the new ESRD cases each year.
• Since 1990, incidence of end-stage renal disease attributable to diabetes has increased by 24 percent among Native Americans with diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult onset) is increasing rapidly among children and adolescents, particularly in minority populations, and may account for up to 45 percent of new cases of childhood diabetes. (10.27.00)
  
  

Read more about diabetes here.

CSPI Study Finds Some Greek Foods Good for You, Others Not

WASHINGTON -- The first-ever study of popular dishes from Greek restaurants shows that some entrées are among the most healthful foods available at any restaurant, while others are as bad for your heart as two McDonald's Big Macs. Findings from the study are reported in the November issue of Nutrition Action Healthletter, published by the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

The study found the following:

• Chicken, lamb and pork souvlaki are lower-fat main dishes that provide a decent serving of grilled vegetables. A typical order of chicken souvlaki has just 260 calories and 8 grams of fat. Lamb or pork skewers have 310 calories and 11 grams of fat.
• An entrée-sized Greek salad contains 30 grams of fat, including more than half-a-day's worth of saturated and trans fat (from the feta cheese). That's the fat equivalent of a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
• The spanakopita (spinach pie) entrée contains some vitamin-packed spinach, but it also has about as much fat as a Burger King Bacon Cheeseburger -- 24 grams of fat, 12 of them the artery-clogging type (saturated plus trans).
• An entrée-size serving of dolmades (grape leaves filled with meat and rice) provides 540 calories and 32 grams of fat, 15 of them saturated plus trans.
• Moussaka was the least healthful of the seven entrées tested. The fatty ground beef or lamb, fried eggplant and a sauce made from butter, milk and egg yolks provides more than a day's worth -- 25 grams -- of fat. One serving also provides nearly a day's worth of sodium.
• The gyro is a pita-bread sandwich filled with a molded mixture of seasoned beef and lamb roasted on a vertical spit. The five ounces of meat in a typical sandwich delivers 44 grams of fat, including a whole day's worth of fat (20 grams). The 760-calorie sandwich also provides about an entire day's worth of sodium.
  
  

To conduct its study, CSPI bought dinner-sized take-out portions of six popular main dishes, one sandwich, one side dish and one dessert at nine mid-priced Greek restaurants in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The group then made a composite sample of each dish and sent the composites to an independent laboratory to be analyzed for calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and (for baklava) sugar. (10.24.00)

Food Stamp Participants Eat More, Not Better

WASHINGTON -- People on food stamps eat more, but not better, according to a study by the Agriculture Department's Economic Research Service.

Those using foods stamps to purchase their food tend to buy foods higher in fat and sugar, and not as many fruits, vegetables and grains. Compared to low income families not getting food stamp assistance, those who are eat about 4 more grams of fat, 2 more teaspoons of sugar and more meat.

Participants in the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), another government program aimed at pregnant women and children, tend to eat a much healthier diet with lower amounts of fat and sugar. In the WIC program, participants are limited to what they can buy. In the food stamp program, any type of food or nonalcoholic beverage can be purchased. (10.20.00)

CSPI Agrees With FDA's Ruling On Health Claims Made On Dietary Supplements

WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was correct in rejecting demands by dietary supplement companies to make health claims asserting a relationship between dietary fiber and colorectal cancer, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

CSPI, a non-profit consumer advocacy group, agreed with the FDA's conclusion that although fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables are linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer, fiber supplements have not been shown to reduce the risk of that disease.

CSPI said the FDA was also correct in permitting supplement labels to state that women who may become pregnant should consume 400 micrograms of folate daily "from supplements, fortified foods or both, in addition to consuming food folate from a varied diet."

Supplement companies had sought permission to claim that folic acid supplements could prevent neural-tube birth defects more effectively than a diet rich in foods containing folate, as long as labels carried a disclaimer such as, "The FDA believes the evidence in support of this claim is inconclusive."

The FDA actions were the result of a court case, Pearson vs. Shalala, brought by supplement companies. The U.S. Court of Appeals concluded in 1999 that the FDA should consider allowing health claims that are not widely recognized as valid by the scientific community if the evidence supporting the claim outweighs the evidence against the claim, and if the claim could be qualified by a disclaimer to prevent consumers from being misled. The Court found that under the First Amendment's protection of free speech, the FDA could not prohibit supplement companies from using a health claim based on weak evidence without first considering whether a disclaimer regarding the state of the scientific evidence could render the claim not misleading.

The Court decision applies only to dietary supplement claims that specifically mention the name of a disease or symptoms associated with a particular disease. Supplement companies can already make more general claims regarding health conditions without FDA pre-market approval. (10.20.00)

Mission Recalls Products that May Contain Genetically Engineered Corn

WASHINGTON -- Mission Foods Co., the largest manufacturer of tortilla products in the nation, has recalled all of its taco shells, tortillas and chips made with yellow corn. The products may contain StarLink, a genetically engineered corn not approved for human consumption. Mission will now use only white corn in its products. (10.13.00)

Caffeine Shown to Help Relieve Tension Headaches

NEW YORK -- A combination of caffeine and ibuprofen relieves tension headaches quicker, according to a study published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Researchers studied 301 people who suffered with headaches three to 15 times per month. The study showed that 80 percent of patients taking a combination of caffeine and ibuprofen saw improvement in their pain within six hours, compared with 67 percent given only ibuprofen, 61 percent given only caffeine and 56 given a placebo. Patients taking the combination of ibuprofen and caffeine also experienced pain relief almost an hour sooner. (10.10.00)

Health Benefits Of Garlic Supplements Questioned

WASHINGTON -- Claims that garlic supplements lower cholesterol may be false and misleading, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

"Many supplement manufacturers claim that garlic supplements lower blood cholesterol or 'maintain' healthy cholesterol levels," said David Schardt, a CSPI nutritionist. "But a new, scientific review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that the evidence that garlic lowers cholesterol is inconclusive."

AHRQ studied 36 randomized trials that tested the effect of garlic on blood cholesterol levels. A small reduction occurred when the participants took the garlic supplement for one to three months, but not when they took it for six or more months. AHRQ concluded that whether garlic's "effects are sustainable beyond three months is unclear."

Though garlic has little effect on cholesterol, some studies do suggest that garlic could help prevent heart attacks by reducing blood clotting. Additional research has been called for. (9.29.00)

Imported Meat Could Be Contaminated

WASHINGTON -- According to official internal reports, several meat and poultry plants in six out of 15 countries audited by the UDSA in 1998 and 1999 were so dirty and in violation of department rules they were banned from exporting to the U.S. No action was taken, however, to stop the other uninspected plants from exporting goods. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has asked the Senate and House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees to investigate why.

Mexico had the highest number of unacceptable plants. Out of the 37 plants exporting meat to the U.S., 10 were inspected in 1999, and five were found "unacceptable." Other countries found to have violations in some of their plants include France, Finland, Denmark, Uraguay and Brazil.

The USDA only inspected 147 plants out of a total of 1,066 plants in 15 countries in 1998 and early 1999. (9.21.00)

Farmers Rewarded For Treating Animals Humanely

WASHINGTON -- Farmers who treat their animals right will now have a way to prove it. The government is allowing farmers to put a seal on dairy and meat products to show they treat their animals humanely. The labels will read "Free Farmed" and "American Humane Association Monitored."

To qualify for the seal, farmers will have to stop caging laying hens, and stop the practice of forced molting. Forced molting is when food and water is taken away from the bird to increase the production of eggs. Farmers can still keep their chickens caged, but there will standards to meet on how small the cage can be. Farmers cannot use antibiotics to increase growth on either broiler chickens or cattle, and dairy cattle must have access to pastures. The Farm Animal Services, a new group set up by the American Humane Association, will be responsible for inspecting farms that wish to bear the label. (9.20.00)

Zatarain's Inc. Recalls Several Rice Mixes

GRETNA, La. -- Zatarain's Inc. has recalled several Zatarain's brand rice mixes that were contaminated with pieces of 25-gauge wire. The 78,194 cases (12 per case) were distributed nationwide and in Canada, and include:

• Jambalaya (Code 8C, 9C, 10C, 13C, 14C)
• Dirty Rice (Code 9C, 10C, 13C, 14C)
• Spanish Rice (Code 25B and 29B)
• Black Beans and Rice (Code 25B)
• Red Beans and Rice (25B, 29B, 1C, 2C, 3C)
• Yellow Rice (Code 29B, 1C, 14C)
• Gravy and Rice (Code 2C)
• Long Grain Rice and Wild Rice (Code 1C)
• Chicken Flavored Rice (Code 2C, 3C, 8C)
• Black-Eyed Peas and Rice (Code 2C and 3C)

If you have a question about this recall, call the Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-INFO-FDA. (9.19.00)

Drinking Grapefruit Juice With Some Medications Could Be Dangerous

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- A report in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings warned that taking medications with grapefruit juice could be dangerous. Grapefruit juice stops the body's intestinal enzyme systems, and can increase concentrations of some medications in the blood stream. When washing down medication, opt for a tall glass of water. (9.12.00)

Chicken Salad Lunch Kits Recalled

SYCAMORE, ILL. -- The Suter Company has recalled its "Sycamore Farms" brand low-fat chicken salad-and-crackers lunch kits because it may contain whey, which is not listed in the ingredients. The product was distributed nationwide to Sam's Wholesale Clubs, and also at H.E. Butt stores in Texas. The lunch kit contains a can of chicken, six crackers and a plastic spoon. If you have purchased this product, return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. (9.7.00)

Diet Strawberry Spread Recalled

NEW YORK -- East Coast Foods, Inc. has recalled 120 cases of its Zentis brand Diat Konfiture Extra-Erdbeere, a diet strawberry-flavored spread. The product may contain cyclamate, a substance prohibited as an addition in human food. The spread sold in 430-gram glass containers, and was distributed in New York, New Jersey, California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts, Utah, Connecticut and Canada. If you have a question about this recall, call the Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-INFO-FDA. (9.5.00)

Survey Finds Older Americans Are Choosing Dietary Supplements Over Cancer-Fighting Foods

WASHINGTON -- A survey conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research found that older Americans are taking dietary supplements to ward off cancer, instead of eating cancer-fighting foods. A survey of 1,010 people found that more than half of the participants older than 55 took dietary supplements to reduce their risk of cancer. Only 39 percent chose to decrease their chances of developing cancer by improving their diet. (9.5.00)

Read Cancer-Fighting Foods: Your Best Defense to Staying Healthy to find out what foods can reduce your risk of cancer.

Eating Whole Grains Could Reduce Your Risk Of Developing Diabetes

NEW YORK -- Eating bran flakes for breakfast could lower your risk of diabetes, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Researchers studied over 75,000 women between the ages of 38 and 63 for 10 years. When the study began, none of the women had been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes. The woman kept food diaries that showed those who ate more whole grains reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 38 percent. The woman eating less whole grains had a 31 percent higher chance of developing diabetes. Good sources of whole grains include brown rice, bread and pasta.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which insulin -- a hormone secreted from the pancreas -- is either not available or is ineffective in fulfilling its role. Diabetes can lead to heart disease, blindness and kidney failure. (9.2.00)

Read more about diabetes here.

USDA Buys Cranberry Sauce For School Lunch Program

WASHINGTON -- Children will be enjoying cranberry sauce on their tray lunches soon thanks to the USDA. The government is buying 5.5 million pounds of cranberry sauce at a cost of $2 million for the school lunch program. Cranberry prices have fallen dramatically over the last few years due to overproduction. Growers are now getting less than $30 a barrel, compared to almost $66 in 1996. The cranberries are being purchased from Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. (8.29.00)

The American Cancer Society Releases New Book to Help Cancer Patients

The American Cancer Society has released a new book to help cancer patients understand alternative cancer methods. The American Cancer Society's Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods contains hundreds of entries covering a broad range, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, diet, manual healing and alternative treatment methods. The entries are presented in clear and understandable language. The book is available in bookstores, or copies can be ordered at the American Cancer Society's Web site. (8.15.00)

Potato Salad Recalled Due To Salmonella Contamination

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets has recalled some of its New York Style Potato Salad because of salmonella contamination. The product, "Deli Quick Takes" New York Potato Salad, sold in 16- and 32-ounce containers and had a use by date of August 26. It was distributed in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama. Customers who have purchased this product should return it for a full refund. If you have a question about this recall, call Jennifer Bush at 863-688-7407 Ext. 4202. (8.20.00)

Start Children Out With A Healthy Breakfast

The American Dietetic Association offers some "study tips" to help your child get off on the right foot this school year.

• Start kids out with a healthy breakfast. Research shows that breakfast skippers often feel tired, irritable or restless in the morning, but those who regularly eat a morning meal have a better attitude towards school and have more energy by late morning.
• Don't let kids use the excuse of not being hungry. Even eating a small breakfast can help restore needed fuel for the morning.
• The kinds of food kids eat for breakfast can make a big difference in energy levels. When a breakfast consists mostly of sugary foods, such as fruit, fruit juice, candy or pop, a quick rise in blood sugar occurs, causing a rush of energy. After about an hour, blood sugar and energy decline, bringing on symptoms of hunger. A balanced breakfast, consisting of foods containing carbohydrate, sugar, protein and fat, gives a constant release of energy, delaying symptoms of hunger for several hours.
• Keep quick-to-fix foods on hand or get breakfast foods ready the night before, if time is an issue. Breakfast cereal, bagels, toaster waffles, yogurt, canned and fresh fruit, juice, milk, cheese and cottage cheese are all good options. Or, bring your breakfast with you: a carton of yogurt; a bagel spread with peanut butter; or grapes, crackers and cheese. (8.11.00)

Green Tea May Keep Skin Cancer Away

CHICAGO -- Green tea may help keep skin cancer away, according to a report published in the Archives of Dermatology. Using mice, researchers found that drinking four to five cups of green tea a day is a good way to protect yourself against developing skin cancer. Recent research had already found that the polyphenols in green tea can kill tumor cells. Researchers are cautioning that this is a way to prevent skin cancer, not cure it. (8.15.00)

Which Foods Cause More Food Poisoning Outbreaks?

WASHINGTON -- The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has issued a 52-page report called "Outbreak Alert! Closing the Gaps in our Federal Food-Safety Net." The report identified the foods most likely to cause food-poisoning outbreaks. The findings were based on analysis of 865 foodborne-illness outbreaks between January 1990 and July 2000. Foods causing the most problems include:

• Seafood, including finfish and shellfish, caused the most outbreaks -- 237.
• Eggs, the second-biggest cause, were linked to 170 outbreaks.
• Beef was the meat product most likely to cause an outbreak. Of 91 outbreaks from beef, ground beef caused at least 40.
• Fruits and vegetables caused 82 outbreaks. Sprouts and lettuce were the most common culprits.
• Foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) caused nearly four times as many outbreaks as foods regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In the report, the CSPI recommended that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) maintain a comprehensive inventory of outbreaks and serve as the national clearinghouse. CSPI also called on states to report all foodborne-illness outbreaks to the CDC. In addition, CSPI urged Congress to provide the federal food-safety agencies and state governments with the resources they need to reduce food-poisoning outbreaks to an absolute minimum. (8.7.00)

Read Foodborne Illness: What You Should Know to learn more about foodborne contaminates.

Environmental Group Fights Claims Made On ABC's "20/20"

NEW YORK -- The Washington-based environment group Environmental Working Group is asking that John Stossel of ABC's "20/20" be fired. On a segment of "20/20" which aired in February, Stossel reported that organic food is no safer than regular food, and even suggested it could be more harmful. He claimed tests found no pesticides on either organic or regular foods. The Environmental Working Group claims pesticide testing was not done for the show. The group says tests were done to see if bacteria were present, but not pesticides. (8.1.00)

Ground Beef Recalled Due To Possible E. coli Contamination

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Jac Pac Foods has recalled approximately 210,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination. The ground beef was distributed to retail and wholesale stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Iowa, Maine, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, South Carolina, Vermont and Bermuda.

The products being recalled include:

• "Trader Joe's" ground beef patties with a sell-by date of 6.19.00.
• "Stop & Shop" ground round with a code beginning with "161."
• "Fresh Made" ground beef sold by Shoplink.com with a code beginning with "161."

All three of the products have a plant code "EST. 785" and a product code "0610" on the label.

If you have a question about this recall, call Chuck Hungler of Jac Pac Foods at 800-497-2333, or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. (8.1.00)

The FDA Approves Irradiation Of Eggs

WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration has approved irradiation of eggs, after deciding that the procedure is safe and will cause no harmful side effects. Irradiation is when food is put under a gamma ray to kill harmful bacteria. The process will cause eggs to contain less vitamin A, but the taste will not be altered. The FDA approved meat irradiation earlier this year. (7.25.00)

The CSPI Urges FDA To Stop Misleading Claims About Food Products

WASHINGTON -- The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is urging the Food and Drug Administration to halt the sale of dozens of "functional foods" that contain ingredients not considered by the agency to be safe. In 158 pages of written complaints concerning more than 75 products, CSPI also urged the FDA to order manufacturers to stop making false and misleading claims about their products. Some of the products the CSPI pointed out include:

• Snapple's "Moon" Tea Drink containing kava kava. It claims to "enlighten your senses." Kava kava has been a factor in several arrests for driving while intoxicated. Kava kava is also used in Apple & Eve's Tribal Tonics' "Relaxation Cocktail" and Hansen's "d.stress" sparkling drink.
• Ben & Jerry's "Tropic of Mango Smoothie" containing echinacea. Echinacea can cause allergic reactions, including asthma attacks, and may counteract the effects of drugs that suppress the immune system.
• Arizona's "Rx Memory Elixer" containing ginkgo biloba. This product is labeled as "mind-enhancing." Ginkgo biloba acts as a blood thinner. Taking ginkgo biloba with anticoagulant drugs may increase the risk of excessive bleeding or stroke.
• Procter & Gamble's "spire Energy with VitaLift Green Tea and Juice Beverage" containing guarana extract. The label promises to provide "smooth, steady, sustained energy." The FDA has stated that guarana is not considered to be a safe ingredient for use in food.

A complete list of products that CSPI has asked the FDA to prohibit can be found at www.cspinet.org/reports/funcfoodcomplaint.htm. (7.18.00)

A Recall Of Chicken Salad Due To Possible Listeria Contamination

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. -- Home Made Brand Foods has recalled approximately 3,300 pounds of chicken salad that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The chicken salad is packaged in 5- and 10-pound containers and bears the establishment number "P-8865" on the label, and includes the following:

Home Made Brand

-- "American Chicken Salad" -- sell by 8/4
-- "Bickfords White Chicken Salad" -- sell by 8/4
-- "Classic Chicken Salad" -- sell by 8/2
-- "On A Roll Chicken Salad" -- sell by 8/2
-- "Supreme White Chicken Salad" -- sell by 7/24

Weis Quality Brand

-- "Chicken Salad" -- sell by 8/4
-- "Hidden Harbor Salad"

The product was distributed to wholesale and retail establishments in Maine, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

If you have a question about this recall, call Richard Walters, President of Home Made Brand Foods Inc., at 978-462-3663 or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. (7.17.00)

Ready For Green Ketchup?

PITTSBURGH -- The H.J. Heinz Co. is shaking things up a little with its new green ketchup. The taste is the same as the red variety, but the idea of this new color is to appeal to kids. The plastic bottle squirts a thin stream of ketchup, so kids can draw on their food. To appeal to parents, it's full of vitamin C. (7.14.00)

Senate Approves Bill That Could Void State Food Safety Laws

WASHINGTON -- The Senate Agriculture Committee has approved a bill that would permit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to void state laws governing food and dietary supplement safety. The bill, sponsored by Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) and the Grocery Manufacturers of America, puts many state laws in jeopardy. At risk are state laws in Pennsylvania and Illinois regulating egg safety; laws in Louisiana and Florida which require warning labels on raw shellfish; and laws in Ohio, New York, California and Georgia regulating dietary supplements. (6.30.00)

Say Good-bye To Plain M&M's

NEWARK, N.J. -- Plain M&M's are getting a new name after 46 years. The candy that "melts in your mouth, not in your hands" will now be called milk chocolate M&M's. The company will launch a $10 million ad campaign to introduce the new name, with a new slogan: "Same great chocolate. Much better name." (6.30.00)

Recalled Drinks May Contain Traces Of Milk And Egg

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The Fresh Juice Co. has recalled some "Frooja" and "Saratoga" packaged drinks which may contain traces of milk and egg proteins not listed on the label. The Saratoga flavors recalled include mango-peach, banana, strawberry-banana, berry-peach, blackberry and raspberry. The Frooja flavors are peach-mango, ginseng berry, strawberry-banana, Plentiful C, Fruit Salad and Protein Rapture. The products sold in 12- to 16-ounce containers and have an expiration date between May 15 and July 12. The drinks were distributed nationwide. (6.26.00)

Petition To Include "Added Sugars" On Food Labels

WASHINGTON -- In response to a petition filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has invited the public to comment of whether "added sugars" should be included on Nutrition Facts labels. The USDA advises people to limit their sugar consumption to about 10 teaspoons of added sugar daily. Most Americans, however, consume twice that amount. The CSPI has asked the FDA to adopt the USDA's recommendation of 10 teaspoons on food labels. The petition is supported by several other organizations including the YMCA and the Girl Scouts of America. (6.26.00)

Exercise Can Improve Health of Heart Patients

CHICAGO -- A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that daily exercise can improve the health of patients with chronic heart failure. Researchers found patients exercising on a regular basis for at least six months had an increased amount of blood pumped by their hearts. Exercise also helped by strengthening their hearts and softening hardened arteries. According to the American Heart Association, more than 4 million Americans suffer from chronic heart failure each year. (6.21.00)

Chicken Recalled Due to Possible Glass Contamination

SEAFORD, Del. -- Allen Family Foods, Inc. has recalled approximately 387,000 pounds of chicken that may be contaminated with glass. The affected products include the Allen Family brand "Fresh Young Chicken Drumsticks"; "Fresh Young Chicken Leg Quarters"; "Fresh Young Chicken Thighs"; and "Fresh Young Chicken Wings." The recall also includes the Al-Madinah Halal brand "Fresh Young Chicken Leg Quarters," and the Halal brand "Fresh Young Chicken Leg Quarters."

All the products were packaged in 40-pound boxes between May 31 and June 15. The boxes have labels with "P-171" inside the USDA seal of inspection, plus the following codes: 05HF, 06AD, 06AE, 06AH, 06AI, 06AJ, 06DD, 06DE, 06DH, 06DI, 06DJ, and 06ED. The chicken was distributed in Connecticut, Maine, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia.

If you have a question about this recall, call Michael Philcher at 302-629-9136, or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. (6.17.00)

Turkey Products Recalled

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Farmland Foods Inc. has recalled approximately 86,000 pounds of sliced turkey products that may have been contaminated with lubricating oil. The recalled turkey is "Farmland" brand sliced "Turkey Ham" in 10- and 16-ounce packages. The label will have the code "P21222" and a sell-by date of "JUL 05."

Other products that may have been in contact with the lubricating oil include:
-- "Meijer" brand "Turkey Breast" in 16-ounce packages with the code "P-18029" and a sell-by date of April 30 or earlier.
-- "Albertson's Deli" brand "Turkey Breast" in 16-ounce packages with the code "P-19051" and a sell-by date of April 30 or earlier.
-- "Spring Hill" brand "Smoked Turkey Breast" with the code "P-19051" and a sell-by date of April 30 or earlier.
-- "Farmland" brand "Turkey Breast Special Select" in 16-ounce packages with the code "P-19051" and a sell-by date of April 30 or earlier.

If you have a question about this recall, call Annette Dortch at 816-891-1206, or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. (6.16.00)

USDA Asks Meat Plant To Voluntarily Shut Down

WASHINGTON -- Supreme Beef Processors, Inc., a Texas-based beef processor that supplies ground beef to the national school lunch program, has been asked by the USDA to voluntarily shut down. The plant failed microbial tests checking for salmonella for the fourth straight time. The USDA has been stopped from forcing the plant to close by a federal judge, which agreed with the meatpacking industry that testing for salmonella does not accurately determine a plant's cleanliness. (6.14.00)

New USDA Guidelines Released To Include The Lactose Intolerant

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a revised "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" that includes lactose-free and other foods rich in calcium for those who are lactose intolerant. These guidelines are the result of the National Medical Association (NMA) urging federal officials to change the guidelines to include minorities who cannot tolerate milk products. Not getting enough calcium can result in reduced bone growth, which could lead to osteoporosis as people age. (6.12.00)

Read this article to find out more about osteoporosis.

Land O' Lakes Recalls Margarine Sticks

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Land O' Lakes has recalled some of its margarine sticks which may contain pieces of metal. This recall affects margarine sticks purchased after May 25 in the following states: West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Tennessee.

One of the following codes will be found on the recalled product: 02 16 01 KE10; 02 17 01 KE10; 02 18 01 KE10; 02 19 01 KE10; and 02 20 01 KE10.

Consumers who have purchased this product should return it to the place of purchase. (6.5.00)

High Levels Of Pesticide Residue Found On Produce

WASHINGTON -- Consumers Union, a nonprofit advocacy group, is urging the government to take measures to stop the use of dangerous chemicals on produce. Foods such as apples and grapes, which are favorites with children, have been found to have high levels of toxic residues from the pesticides used during growing. The group does not want parents to stop giving their children these foods, but to take precautions, such as washing and peeling before eating, and to consider organically grown produce. Produce containing the highest levels of residue included strawberries, cantaloupe, pears, grapes, apples, peaches, winter squash, green beans and spinach. (6.7.00)

CSPI Urging Government To Tax Snack Food Items

WASHINGTON -- The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is urging the government to start a campaign targeting America's obsession with junk food. The CSPI will recommend taxing soft drinks and other such snack food and using the money to expand nutrition education. The group is also recommending rules be set up to keep junk food out of schools. Other recommendations include:

• Increasing funding for the National Cancer Institute's "5 A Day" program
• Requiring the USDA to put labels on fresh meat and poultry
• Requiring Nutrition Facts labels to declare refined sugar
• Providing $30 million to the CDC for campaigns to promote healthy eating

Seventeen states and two cities already tax soft drinks and other snack foods. They include California, New York and Chicago. (5.25.00)

Drinking Caffeine May Reduce Your Risk Of Developing Parkinson's Disease

ATLANTA -- A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that caffeine may help prevent Parkinson's disease. Researchers studied more than 8,000 Japanese-American men over a 30-year period and found those men drinking more than three cups of coffee per day were five times less likely to develop the disease. Some researchers feel that caffeine may "protect" the brain, though this has not been scientifically proven. Parkinson's disease destroys brain cells and causes damage to the central nervous system. People with this degenerative disorder suffer from tremors and uncontrollable body movements. (5.23.00)

Americans Eating More Sugar Than Ever

WASHINGTON -- The Center for Science in the Public Interest is urging the federal government to warn consumers about eating too much sugar. This comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released data showing that Americans are eating an average of 158 pounds of sugar per person. The food industry argues that the big rise in sugar consumption has not had an impact on people's health. (5.18.00)

Saccharin Is Removed From List Of Cancer-Causing Substance

WASHINGTON -- The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences issued its bi-annual report on the substances that can cause cancer. Saccharin, which has been on the list since 1981, was removed. The group said it removed the sugar substitute because the research showing it caused tumors in rats did not apply to humans.

Fourteen other substances were added to the list, or upgraded to "known" causes of cancer. These include: