Defective & Dangerous Products

• Bone Drug Linked to Jaw Disease

  Staff Writer | June 02, 2006 2:25 PM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  A month after I blogged about Fosamax, the NY Times has run a front page story on the horrible dilemma facing patients with cancer or osteoporosis. The FDA has now required bisphosphonate labels to disclose the serious side effects of death of areas of bone in the jaw, which may occur in one of 10 patients who take the drug. Pharmaceutical companies are defending about 20 suits filed so far by...

• New FDA Warning About Paxil

  Staff Writer | May 15, 2006 2:39 PM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  After analyzing the data collected from about 15,000 patients, the FDA has written a letter to doctors and patients of newly discovered links between antidepressant PAXIL and an increased risk of suicides. The latest data revealed that 11 young patients (late teens to thirties) had attempted suicide after taking the drug. Paxilis one of the Serontin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs, like Prozac...

• VIOXX VERDICT ADDS PUNITIVE DAMAGES

  Staff Writer | April 13, 2006 3:51 PM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  A New Jersey state jury first awarded $4.5M ($3 million to a man suffering a heart attack, and $1.5 million for his wife); and then added $9 Million in Punitive Damages. The jury found that Merck had knowingly witheld information about the risks of the drug, including heart attacks and strokes. In another significant legal setback against Merck, a New Jersey Appeals Court ruled that a...

• Cargill Recalls Over 1 Million Pounds of Beef

  Jamie G. Goldstein | November 03, 2007 5:29 PM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  Cargill recalled 1 million pounds of beef that may be contaminated with E.coli. The beef was produced between October 8 and 11. Retailers that may have sold the beef include Giant, Shop Rite and Stop & Shop. There have been no reports at this time of anyone becoming ill from eating the beef.If you may have eaten the contaminated beef and are experiencing diarhea and/or dehydration seek...

• Recall on Halloween "Ugly Teeth"

  Jamie G. Goldstein | October 31, 2007 5:24 PM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  A recall was announced today on a popular Halloween item,"Ugly Teeth." The fake teeth are imported from China and were recalled today after it was determined they contain 100 times the amount of allowable lead. It is estimated that 43,000 "Ugly Teeth" packages were sold prior to the recall. The product sales began in January 2006.There have been no reports at this time of adverse affects from...

• Pars Cove Salmonella Plagues Over 700 At Taste Of Chicago

  Jamie G. Goldstein | August 01, 2007 3:28 PM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  The latest reports show over 700 people came down with salmonella after eating at Pars Cove's booth at Taste of Chicago. This number has nearly doubled from the original reports. Of the reports, it is estimated that 31 people had to be hospitalized. It is believed the shirazi salad from Pars Cove is the cause of the outbreak.City food inspectors review food at each booth at least four times...

• Pet Food Recall Possible Link To China

  Jamie G. Goldstein | April 19, 2007 9:48 AM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  The pet food recall seems to have one twist after another. The latest reports show that the chemical that caused the recall has now been found in a second pet food imported from China. The chemical, melamine is believed to be the cause of illness and death in many pets across the country. Wheat gluten and rice protein are two ingredients in the pet food that have been found to contain the...

• Pet Food Recall Adds Dry Food

  Jamie G. Goldstein | April 03, 2007 4:43 PM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  The initial recall on March 17, 2007, included only wet dog and cat pet food manufactured by Menu Foods. However, on March 30, 2007, the FDA extended that recall to include dry cat pet food. The two most recent products being recalled are 4 pound and 40 pound bags of Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food.The number of pets that have fallen ill or died as a result of this contamination is...

• Stricter Warnings For Child Cold Medication

  Jamie G. Goldstein | March 07, 2007 7:30 AM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  Public health officials and pediatricians are among those who are pushing the government to add stricter warnings to child cold medicine. Currently many products have warnings, but the warnings are not sufficient and often the advertising that accompanies the packaging is misleading to consumers. The number of children overdosing on cold medication is astounding. In Maryland alone,...

• FDA Recalls Baby Food

  Jamie G. Goldstein | February 19, 2007 9:27 AM | 0 CommentsChicago, IL

  The FDA issued a recall on February 16, 2007 that warned customers not to consume certain types of Earth's Best baby food. The infected baby food may be contaminated with the bacteria clostridium botulinum. This bacteria can cause botulism, which can lead to serious illness and/or death.Symptoms of botulism are usually seen within 18-36 hours after the initial exposure. A baby that is...