Health Highlights: Sept. 18, 2008
Sept. 19 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:
Tainted Baby Milk Claims Fourth Life
A fourth Chinese infant has died after being fed baby milk contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, government officials announced Thursday. The latest death occurred in the Xinjiang region in China's far west.
More than 6,200 infants across the country have become ill from tainted powdered baby formula made by 22 dairy companies, all of which have said they're recalling their milk products, The New York Times reported. It's believed watered-down milk used to make the formula had melamine added to it in order to artificially increase its protein content.
Babies who drink the contaminated formula over several months can develop kidney stones or kidney failure.
In other developments, police arrested a dozen more people in connection with the scandal, and the mayor of the city of Shijiazhuang was dismissed after being accused of failing to take action to deal with early reports of tainted baby milk. Four other city officials were also fired.
Sanlu, one of China's largest dairy companies, has its headquarters in Shijiazhuang, which is in the northern province of Hebei. Sanlu first received complaints about contaminated products months ago but didn't tell city officials until Aug. 2. City officials waited until Sept. 9 to tell provincial officials, who alerted the central government the next day, the Times reported.
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Companies Face Charges Over False Cancer Cures
Five companies have been charged with making false and misleading claims for cancer cures and settlements have been reached with six other companies, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday.
Products marketed by the companies include essiac teas and other herbal mixtures, laetrile, black salve (a corrosive ointment), and mushroom extracts.
"There is no credible scientific evidence that any of the products marketed by these companies can prevent, cure, or treat cancer of any kind," said Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection, the Associated Press reported.
More than 100 warning letters were issued and many companies changed or dropped their claims about the products. In cases where settlements were reached, companies paid restitution ranging from $9,000 to $250,000.
