Metabolife Diet & Energy Bars Recall Prompted By High Vitamin A Content
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
An ongoing recall of all Metabolife Diet & Energy Bars produced since the product launched in December includes 1.5 mil. bars already purchased by consumers, Metabolife International acknowledged.
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An ongoing recall of all Metabolife Diet & Energy Bars produced since the product launched in December includes 1.5 mil. bars already purchased by consumers, Metabolife International acknowledged. The bars were manufactured with about 32,500 IU vitamin A - "significantly higher" than the labeled amount and 7,500 IU higher than the amount at which serious adverse events can occur, the San Diego-based firm announced May 7. The RDA for vitamin A in adults is 4,000-5,000 IU. The error was detected by Metabolife during a quality assurance sampling audit and was confirmed by an independent lab. FDA was notified at the beginning of May. Metabolife could not estimate the number of bars distributed but stressed no other products were affected by the error. Consumers are instructed to return bars for a refund or destroy them. The problem has been attributed to a foul-up by contract manufacturer MLO Products. Fairfield, Calif.-based MLO also markets sports nutrition products under its own brand. Metabolife said the firm misplaced a decimal in its formulation for the bars. All lots and units of the product are subject to the recall, which involves shipments made from Dec. 25 through May 4, Metabolife explained. Diet & Energy Bars and Meal Replacement Shakes, extensions of the flagship product Metabolife 356, debuted on retail shelves in January (1 (Also see "Metabolife Line Extensions' Launch Date Targets Prime Dieting Season" - Pink Sheet, 1 Jan, 2001.)). Although no adverse events have been reported to the company, Metabolife noted high levels of vitamin A can cause severe liver damage, bone and cartilage abnormalities, pediatric and teratogenic toxicity and other harmful effects. Meanwhile, Salmonella-contaminated pepsin made by American Labs of Omaha, Neb. has led a second firm to recall digestive aid supplements a week after Solgar pulled a small quantity of similar products (2 (Also see "Solgar Digestive Aid 100's Recall One-Third Complete, AHP Division Says" - Pink Sheet, 7 May, 2001.)). Natural Organics is withdrawing roughly 9,800 bottles of Digestive Enzyme, Nature Cleanse Botanicleanse Tabs, Betaine and Ultra-Zyme shipped to health food outlets nationwide between Feb. 12 and May 1. Melville, N.Y.-based Natural Organics said no illnesses have been reported and no other products are affected. |