3/31/14 Health News: Ancient Skeleton Is the Earliest Case of Cancer ♦ Irritable Bowel Syndrome Common in Adults Who Had Salmonella as Children ♦ ANTIMICROBIAL SOLUTIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY

NEW STUDY FINDS IBS MORE COMMON IN ADULTS WHO HAD SALMONELLA AS CHILDREN

Children who suffer Salmonella-induced gastroenteritis are more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) later in life, according to a new study released this month in the journal Gastroenterology. Italian researchers collected data from victims of a 1994 culture-proven foodborne Salmonella enteritidis outbreak that involved 1,811 patients in Bolognia, Italy. Study participants included a cohort... Continue Reading

WORK CONTINUES ON ANTIMICROBIAL SOLUTIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY

Antimicrobial solutions are used to reduce contaminants on raw foods such as meats, vegetables and fruits. This is analogous to washing food prior to using it in one’s own kitchen, although these compounds enhance the washing action, says Martha Ewing, director of technical services at Sanderson Farms Inc. of Laurel, MS. Antimicrobial solutions have proven... Continue Reading

Ancient Skeleton Is the Earliest Case of Cancer Yet Detected

Researchers have discovered the earliest confirmed case of cancer in a young man who lived in ancient Egypt. The discovery of a diseased skeleton dating back to around 1,200 BC was made at the Amara West site in northern Sudan. The new finding suggests that the disease has its roots in the distant past.Continue Reading

Are Silver Nanoparticles Used on Our Food Packaging Safe ???

Certain metals are known to inhibit microbial growth, such as Zinc, Copper and Silver Silver Nanoparticles have been approved by the FDA for use in food packaging.They are very effective in killing viral, bacterial and fungal microorganisms.

Silver ions control bacteria by means of a triple mechanism: Blocking oxygen-transporting enzymes, where oxygen is required for cell function. Inactivating sulphur-containing proteins of the bacteria. These proteins are required for DNA production. Locking the cell membrane. Studies have indicated that the use of metal salts render the cell membrane inactive, so “suffocating” the microbe.

The fact that the silver acts on the atomic level – oxygen inhibition, at the DNA level and at the cell membrane level make it very effective. It is true that silver nanoparticles do not cause food borne disease, but the question is whether the silver weaken our body over the long term making us susceptible to other diseases in the future?. A recently published study by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark showed that silver nanoparticles are able to enter human cells, producing potentially harmful free radicals and changes in certain cellular proteins. The researchers, led by Professor Frank ie Kjeldsen and Dr. Thiago Verano Brava, studied the effect of two sizes (100 nm and 20 nm) of silver nanoparticles on human intestinal cells in cultures in the laboratory. They used a variety of techniques to examine the interactions between particles and proteins in cells. The results showed that, although the two particle sizes produce a response, only smaller particles are able to enter cells and cause direct effects. These include the production of reactive oxygen species and the carbonylation of proteins as well as stimulating the production of certain proteins. "  We can confirm that the nano-silver lead to the formation of harmful substances called free radicals in cells. We can also see that there are changes in the form and amount of protein.This worries us  , " say Kjeldsen and Verano Brava. Silver nanoparticles are used as antimicrobial component in certain types of food packaging and are also sold as a dietary supplement in some markets. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration would have responded to this study cautioning against taking these supplements that are available for sale on the Internet. Another study suggests silver nanoparticles, used as a pesticide and in some food packaging, could remain on fresh produce after washing, posing potential risk. When Mengshi Lin and his colleagues doused pears in silver nanoparticles to mimic what happens on farms, some nanoparticles remained stuck on pears four days after repeated washing — and smaller slivers penetrated the pear skin to reach the pulp. That's potentially "dangerous to consumers," said Lin, whose study suggests a method that could be used to detect nanoparticles in food since the smallest slivers could migrate through the body and reach sensitive sites such as the brain or heart. Besides the possibility of causing harm to our body the silver nanoparticles have the potential to kill off the bacteria in our stomach that help our immune system and our digestion. I believe that there needs to be more research before we use silver nanoparticles on our food.

3/30/14 Health News: Cancer Risk for Kids Living Near Busy Roads ♦ Salt and Obesity May Prematurely Age Cells ♦ More of the Infections Kids Get Are Resistant to Drugs

Salt and Obesity May Prematurely Age Young Cells

High sodium intake and obesity may act synergistically to accelerate cellular aging in adolescents, according to new research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI/NPAM Scientific Sessions 2014. The study examined the effect of a high salt diet on telomere length in normal weight and overweight/obese teens. After controlling for factors known to shorten telomeres, researchers observed a statistically significant interaction between weight and sodium intake.Continue Reading

More of the Infections Kids Get Are Resistant to Drugs

The rate of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in children is increasing in inpatient and outpatient settings, a study reports. The prevalence of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (G3CR) bacteria increased from 1.39% in 1999-2001 to 3% in 2010-2011, wrote Latania K. Logan, MD, of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and her co-authors online in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society.Continue Reading

Higher Cancer Risk for Kids Living Near Busy Roads

Young children who are exposed to high levels of vehicle exhaust — such as what they'd encounter living near busy roads in urban areas — appear to have a greater risk of childhood leukemia, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention review of seven previous studies. Iin the USA an estimated 30%-45% of people in large urban areas live near major roads, "suggesting increased exposure to traffic-related air pollution and risk of adverse health outcomes." The article says the studies reviewed by the CDC suggest "that childhood leukemia is associated with residential traffic exposure during the postnatal period, but not during the prenatal period." Continue Reading

FDA Orders Smoked Seafood Manufacturer to Cease Operations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently ordered Jensen’s Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc., a processor of smoked fish products in Seattle, Wash., to stop processing, preparing, packing, holding and distributing any food at or from its facility.

The order follows the FDA’s analysis of environmental samples collected during its most recent inspection of the company’s facility, which confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) in the facility, including in food processing and storage areas.

Jensen’s Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc. is subject to a consent decree of permanent injunction, which was entered by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in 2001. Under the terms of the consent decree, the company agreed to comply with requirements to control food safety hazards and ensure that its products are not adulterated.   

The findings of the FDA’s most recent inspection establish that food in the company’s facility is adulterated and led the FDA to issue the order to cease operations under the terms of the consent decree.

In order to resume operations, Jensen’s must meet several requirements, including thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the facility and hiring an expert to develop a Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure and an environmental microbial monitoring program for L. mono. Jensen’s must also test representative samples of all vacuum-packaged smoked fishery products on hand at the company for L. mono and provide the results to the FDA.

Jensen’s processes smoked fish products and distributes or sells them in its retail store, online and through other businesses in Washington, Oregon and California.

Listeria can cause a serious illness called listeriosis, which can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include older adults, people with compromised immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer) and unborn babies and newborns. In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and serious illness or death in newborn babies, though the mother herself rarely becomes seriously ill.

Syphilis on the Rise In Australia

Syphilis rates among men who have sex with men have risen dramatically in Victoria [Australia] over the past year, with a significant increase specifically in HIV-positive men.

The number of syphilis cases notified in 2013 was up 42 per cent on 2012 and 126 per cent on 2010, with a total of 663 reported cases. Around half of the reported cases were in HIV-positive men, and a significant proportion of those cases were re-infections.

Professor Kit Fairley from Alfred Health told the Star Observer despite the overall increase in syphilis rates the proportion of infections among HIV-positive men reflected the norm."The thing about syphilis -- the same thing is true for gonorrhoea -- is it can be transmitted through non-anal sex. So oral sex or mutual masturbation or other stuff can transmit syphilis equally well. So if HIV-positive individuals are being safer, it doesn't actually help with syphilis," Fairley explained.

A rise in syphilis rates is a particular public health concern due to its relationship to HIV transmission. A person with syphilis is more likely to both contract and transmit HIV, but Fairley said researchers were unclear of the exact reasons for this. "We're not sure whether that relates to some differences in sexual practices or whether that relates to differences in immunity or susceptibility," Fairley said.

Syphilis has been on the rise across Australia, but Victoria saw the largest increase last year [2013]. It has prompted Victoria's Chief Health Officer Dr Rosemary Lester to issue a health alert, encouraging all men who have sex with men (MSM) to get tested for the infection at least once a year. The alert also stated MSM with more than 10 partners in the past year should test for syphilis every 3 months, and HIV-positive MSM should be screened for syphilis as part of routine HIV monitoring.

Fairley told the Star Observer a focus on encouraging both clinicians and at-risk groups to test more often for syphilis was the best approach to curbing rising rates, given the difficulty of protecting against infection during sex.

Syphilis is a notifiable disease in Australia, meaning cases must be reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.

Source proMED-mail

India: More Cases of Antibiotic Resistance Tuberculosis

Of the 40 000 tuberculosis (TB) cases recorded in the city [Mumbai, Maharashtra state] in 2013, more than 4000 patients were relapse cases, according to civic health department data. The count of relapse cases has remained constant over the last few years -- an indicator of the poor living conditions and of the hurdles in the treatment regime followed in public hospitals. According to estimates, the actual count of relapse cases may be higher, as not all private hospitals are accounted for by the civic health department.

Over the last 3 years, the count of multi drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB cases has noticeably increased. From 181 new patients diagnosed with MDR TB and 288 already receiving treatment for it in 2011, the figure rose to 2195 new patients diagnosed with MDR TB and 1935 on treatment in 2012. In 2013, a whopping 2903 patients were diagnosed with MDR TB and 2604 were on treatment.

Dr Minnie Khetarpal, BMC's TB control officer, said, "Though MDR cases are rising, patients receive 2nd-line treatment. But in XDR cases, patients respond to very few drugs. Currently, Bedaquilin is considered a wonder drug, but is under clinical trials in India." The drug, which has been used on 5 patients in Mumbai, is being imported from Belgium.

Bedaquiline was described for the first time in 2004  One of the first published trials of Bedaquiline was a Phase II trial of 47 patients, which showed that the drug was effective in reducing the time to TB-free sputum cultures

It is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson (J&J), who sought accelerated approval of the drug, a type of temporary approval for diseases lacking other viable treatment options. By gaining approval for a drug that treats a neglected disease, J&J is now able to request expedited FDA review of a future drug

It was formally approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, as part of a fast-track approval for use only in cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and the more resistant extensively drug resistant tuberculosis.

There is some controversy over the approval for the drug, as the FDA's ruling was based on a surrogate outcome (sputum cultures) as opposed to patient deaths. In the clinical trials used for approval, the patients taking bedaquiline were more likely to die, even though they had resolution of TB based on sputum cultures. The most common side effects of bedaquiline in studies were nausea, joint and chest pain, and headache. The drug also has a black-box warning for arrhythmias.

Fresh Express Italian Salad Recalled Due to Listeria

Fresh Express INC. has issued a recall of a limited number of cases of 10 oz. and 6oz. Italian Salad with the already expired Use-by Date of March 26 and a Product Code of H071A11A due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. No other Fresh Express products are being recalled.

Only Fresh Express Italian Salad with the specific Product Code of H071A11A and March 26 Use-by Date is included in the recall. Consumers who have the recalled product should not eat it but rather discard it. Consumers with questions may call Fresh Express at (800) 242-5472 during the hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. The illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

Although the product was already expired and no illnesses were reported, the company elected to issue a recall as a precaution when it learned a single sample in a random test had yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes. Fresh Express is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.

The recalled salad was distributed in limited quantities to predominantly Eastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

Fresh Express Italian Salad being recalled displays a Use-by Date of March 26, 2014 with a Product Code of H071A11A in the upper right-hand side of the package.

NAME	SIZE	UPC	Production Code	Best Used By Date	POSSIBLE DISTRIBUTION STATES
Fresh ExpressItalian	10 oz.	0 71279-21100 8	H071A11A	26-Mar	CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NY, NJ, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV, DC

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3/28/14 Health News: Slaughterhouse Shutdown, Operator Arrested For Animal Cruelty ♦ Protein May Hold the Key to Who Gets Alzheimer’s ♦ Chronic Sleep Loss Could Lead to Loss of Brain Neurons,

Slaughterhouse Shutdown, Operator Arrested For Animal Cruelty

The Animal Recovery Mission (ARM), a non-Profit investigative animal welfare organization based in Miami Beach, said undercover videos were taken on December 24, 2013 when their personnel entered onto the property posing as customers. According to police, another video was taken on December 30, 2013. Continue Reading

Protein May Hold the Key to Who Gets Alzheimer’s

It is one of the big scientific mysteries of Alzheimer’s disease: Why do some people whose brains accumulate the plaques and tangles so strongly associated with Alzheimer’s not develop the disease? Now, a series of studies by Harvard scientists suggests a possible answer, one that could lead to new treatments if confirmed by other research. The memory and thinking problems of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, which affect an estimated seven million Americans, may be related to a failure in the brain’s stress response system, the new research suggests. If this system is working well, it can protect the brain from abnormal Alzheimer’s proteins; if it gets derailed, critical areas of the brain start degenerating. “This is an extremely important study,” said Li-Huei Tsai, director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who wrote “This is the first study that is really starting to provide a plausible pathway to explain why some people are more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s than other people.” Continue Reading

Chronic Sleep Loss Could Lead to Loss of Brain Neurons,

Mice study suggests chronic sleep deprivation could have more lasting effects on the brain than previously realized, according to a new study in mice. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Peking University found that chronic sleep loss is associated with injury and loss of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in the brain, which are needed for alertness and optimal thinking Continue Reading

100 People Sick from Illegally Manufactured Mexican Style Cheese

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck is warning people about the dangers of consuming illegally manufactured cheeses. Health officials are reporting around 100 cases of salmonellosis in 13 counties believed to be linked to consumption of an illegally manufactured Mexican-style cheese. A sample of the cheese obtained from the home of a person who became ill tested positive for Salmonella. IDPH is working with local health departments to identify the manufacturer of the contaminated cheese. “We’re concerned that people who consume this manufactured cheese may become sick from Salmonella,” said Dr. Hasbrouck. “It is important for you to check the labeling to make sure the product was made by a licensed dairy manufacturer - even if you purchased the cheese from a grocery store. If you become ill after eating Mexican-style cheese, contact your healthcare provider and your local health department.” Local health departments in Boone, Cook (including the city of Chicago), DuPage, Fayette, Kane, Lake, LaSalle, Macon, Marion, McHenry, Vermillion, Washington and Will counties have reported to IDPH since July 2012 around 100 cases with the same strain of Salmonella believed to be associated with this cheese. The average age of people who have become ill is nine-years-old and a third of all the cases have been hospitalized. Anyone with information about illegally manufactured cheese should contact their local health department for follow up. Without this information, it will not be possible to prevent further illnesses. People who become ill after eating illegally manufactured cheese, should keep the cheese for possible testing. Many cases have reported consuming Mexican-style cheese obtained from worksites, including factories, and at train stations, from street vendors and from relatives and friends. The cheese is not labeled and is often wrapped in aluminum foil. IDPH recommends that people who have Mexican-style cheese in their home, but cannot clearly identify the product was made by a licensed or regulated manufacturer, should not eat the cheese. While Salmonella bacteria cannot be detected by sight, taste or smell, it can cause illness, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Most individuals can recover on their own in 3 to 5 days. The infection can be more severe in young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune system. IDPH advises against buying or consuming cheese that is suspected to be made by an unlicensed dairy manufacturer. IDPH encourages consumers to always purchase milk and dairy products made by licensed dairy manufacturers. Legitimate Mexican-style cheeses are available in the refrigerated case at retail stores and in most cases, label information specifies the legal name of the product, the name and address of distributor or processor, quantity of contents, an ingredient statement, and nutrition facts. For more information about Salmonella log on to www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbsam.htm.

3/27/14 New Blood Test Predicts Alzheimer’s Before Symptoms Appear ♦ Stem Cells in Body's Fatty Folds Can Help Heal Diseased Kidneys ♦ Silicone Chip Recreates Cancer’s Microenvironment

BIOCRATES Test Kit Helps Develop First Metabolomics-Based Blood Test for Alzheimer’s

The test is capable of predicting before symptoms with 90% accuracy, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease 2–3 years before it has actually become clinically manifest. Although it will take some time to develop test versions fit for use in doctors’ offices, the findings by Mapstone et al. are an impressive example of the power of metabolomics in diagnosis and biomarker discovery.Continue Reading 

Silicone Chip Recreates Cancer’s Microenvironment

Killing cancer cells growing on a petri dish is an entirely different beast than fighting cancer cells in the human body. To provide a more realistic platform for screening anticancer drugs, bioengineers have created a device that better replicates the environment around human tumors than conventional cell culture does. They designed a microfluidic chip that imitates the blood circulation system alongside a three-dimensional tumor (Anal. Chem. 2014, DOI: 10.1021/ac403899j). With further development, the chip should be useful for both high-throughput drug screening and for helping doctors quickly pinpoint the best cancer therapy Continue Reading

Stem Cells in Body's Fatty Folds Can Help Heal Diseased Kidneys

A new study has revealed that fatty fold of tissue within the abdomen that is a rich source of stem cells can help in fighting kidney failure. The study found that stem cells from within a chronic kidney disease patient's own abdomen could be used to preserve and possibly improve kidney function, New Scientist reported. However, such a treatment would require injecting cells frequently over a period of many months and years, as stem cells do not survive in the body for more than a few days after injection. Continue Reading

Flu Vaccine Reduced Children’s Risk of going Intensive Care Unit by Three Fourths

Getting a flu vaccine reduces a child’s risk of flu-related intensive care hospitalization by 74 percent, according to a CDC study published today in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

The study is the first to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against flu admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICU). It illustrates the important protection flu vaccine can provide to children against more serious flu outcomes. CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older and especially for children at high risk of serious flu-related complications.

“These study results underscore the importance of an annual flu vaccination, which can keep your child from ending up in the intensive care unit,” said Dr. Alicia Fry, a medical officer in CDC’s Influenza Division. “It is extremely important that all children – especially children at high risk of flu complications – are protected from what can be a life-threatening illness."

Children younger than 5 years and children of any age with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or developmental delays, are at high risk of serious flu complications.

Fry’s team analyzed the medical records of 216 children age 6 months through 17 years admitted to 21 PICUs in the United States during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 flu seasons. They found that flu vaccination reduced a child's risk of ending up in the pediatric intensive care unit for flu by an estimated 74 percent. These findings show that while vaccination may not always prevent flu illness, it protects against more serious outcomes.

Though flu vaccination was associated with a significant reduction in risk of PICU admission, flu vaccine coverage was relatively low among the children in this study: only 18 percent of flu cases admitted to the ICU had been fully vaccinated.

More than half (55 percent) of cases had at least one underlying chronic medical condition that placed them at higher risk of serious flu-related complications.

CDC usually measures flu VE against “medically attended flu illness” – that is, how well it protects against having to go to the doctor for flu symptoms. During the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons, the midpoint VE estimates against medically attended illness were 60 percent and 47 percent respectively.

"Because some people who get vaccinated may still get sick, it's important to remember to use our second line of defense against flu: antiviral drugs to treat flu illness,” Fry said. “People at high risk of complications should seek treatment if they get a flu-like illness. Their doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs if it looks like they have influenza."

Symptoms of flu may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

Prenatal Origin of Autism Suggested by Disorganized Cortical Patches

NIH-funded study shows disrupted cell layering process in the developing brain

The architecture of the autistic brain is speckled with patches of abnormal neurons, according to research partially funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. This study suggests that brain irregularities in children with autism can be traced back to prenatal development.

“While autism is generally considered a developmental brain disorder, research has not identified a consistent or causative lesion,” said Thomas R. Insel, M.D., director of NIMH. “If this new report of disorganized architecture in the brains of some children with autism is replicated, we can presume this reflects a process occurring long before birth. This reinforces the importance of early identification and intervention.”

Eric Courchesne, Ph.D. and Rich Stoner, Ph.D., of the Autism Center of Excellence at the University of California, San Diego joined colleagues from the Allen Institute for Brain Science to investigate the cellular architecture of the brain’s outermost structure, the cortex, in children with autism. Courchesne recently reported an overabundance of neurons in the prefrontal cortex of children with autism.

For the current study, the researchers analyzed gene expression in postmortem brain tissue from children with and without autism, all between 2 and 15 years of age.

Postmortem analysis of autistic brain tissue revealed patch-like areas of disorganized neurons. Arrows show a patch of decreased or absent expression of genetic markers across multiple layers of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Source: Rich Stoner, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego.

As the prenatal brain develops, neurons in the cortex differentiate into six layers. Each is composed of particular types of brain cells with specific patterns of connections. The research team focused on genes that serve as cellular markers for each of the cortical layers as well as genes that are associated with autism.

The study found that the markers for several layers of the cortex were absent in 91 percent of the autistic case samples, as compared to 9 percent of control samples. Further, these signs of disorganization were not found all over the brain’s surface, but instead were localized in focal patches that were 5-7 millimeters (0.20-0.28 inches) in length and encompassed multiple cortical layers.

These patches were found in the frontal and temporal lobes of the cortex—regions that mediate social, emotional, communication, and language functions. Considering that disturbances in these types of behaviors are hallmarks of autism, the researchers conclude that the specific locations of the patches may underlie the expression and severity of various symptoms in a child with the disorder.

The patchy nature of the defects may explain why early treatments can help young infants and toddlers with autism improve. According to the researchers, since the faulty cell layering does not occur over the entire cortex, the developing brain may have a chance to rewire its connections by sidestepping the pathological patches and recruiting cells from neighboring brain regions to assume critical roles in social and communication functions.

Alli® Weight Loss Product recalled Due to Tampering

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK} Reports alli® Product Tampering, Alerts Consumers to Unknown Product in alli® Packages

GSK is alerting consumers that some bottles of its alli® over-the-counter weight loss medication have been tampered with. Consumer safety is GSK’s primary concern. We have initiated an investigation and are working with the Food and Drug Administration.

What Does The Tampered Product Look Like:,

- The outer carton may look authentic.

- The bottle may contain a range of tablets and capsules of various shapes and colors.

- The bottle may not have a label.

- The bottle’s tamper evident seal may not be intact, not be made of foil and/or not have the authentic alli® wording: “Sealed for your Protection.”

- The lot numbers and expiration dates on the bottle do not match the lot number and expiration date on the outer carton.

- To date, some bottles bearing the following lot numbers and expiration dates on the carton have been reported to us by consumers as containing product other than alli®:

    - Carton Lot 14372, Expiration: 02/28/2016

    - Carton Lot 14395, Expiration: 02/28/2016

    - Carton Lot 14124, Expiration: 09/30/2015

    - Carton Lot 14267, Expiration: 01/31/2016

    - Carton Lot 14442, Expiration: 04/30/2016

Where Tampered Product Was Found:

These tampered products were reportedly purchased by consumers at retail stores in the following seven states: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina and Texas.

What Authentic alli® Looks Like:

alli® is a turquoise blue capsule with a dark blue band. It is packaged in a labeled bottle that has an inner foil seal imprinted with the words: “Sealed for your Protection.” The same Lot and Expiration Date codes should be printed on both the bottle label and the outer carton. Check to make sure your alli® looks like this. Please see attached photos of an authentic alli® capsule, bottle with label and alli cartons below.

What Consumers Should Do:

- Consumers should not use the product if the authentic alli® features as described above are not present, or if they have any concerns.

- If you have consumed any product which you think may not be alli®, you should contact your healthcare provider.

- GSK is seeking cooperation from consumers in this investigation. If you suspect you have purchased any inauthentic alli® product, please promptly contact our Consumer Relations line at 800-671-2554 and a representative will provide you with further instructions. All product and packaging materials, including pamphlets, seals, etc. should be retained pending further instructions.