Health Highlights: May 1, 2009
May 2 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:
Seattle Company Recalls Salads
Two salad products made by Pasta & Co. of Seattle, Wash., are being recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Chinese Vermicelli Salad and Pot Sticker Salad were made using chili oil that was recalled by Union International Food Co. due to possible salmonella contamination. The salads were sold at Pasta & Co. stores in the Seattle area. Consumers who bought the salads can return them to any of the company's stores.
No known illnesses have been reported in connection with the salad products, the FDA said.
Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain in healthy people. In elderly or frail people, young children, and those with weakened immune systems, salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.
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Jardine Cribs Recalled Due to Breaking Slats
The third U.S. recall of Jardine cribs in a year involves about 96,000 cribs with slats that can break, leaving a gap that poses an entrapment or strangulation hazard, the Associated Press reports.
The recall, announced Thursday, comes after the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission received 31 reports of broken slats and two reports of infants getting trapped. Ten of the incidents involved children breaking the slats from inside the crib, the AP reported.
The recalled cribs were sold online and at Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us, KidsWorld and Geoffrey stores across the United States between September 2005 and April 2009. Consumers who bought the cribs can receive a full credit by calling Jardine at 800-646-4106.
The company recalled about 320,000 cribs in June 2008, and another 56,450 in January, the AP reported.
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Lithium in Drinking Water Reduces Suicides: Study
Tap water that contains lithium may cut the risk of suicide, according to a Japanese study that looked at people in the prefecture of Oita.
