WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration said U.S. marshals on Wednesday seized unapproved drug products from Biogenics Inc. of St. George, Utah, because the products contain ephedrine hydrochloride but are labeled as a dietary supplement for use in weight loss.
Federal law prohibits the use of drugs in dietary supplements.
Marshals seized about 140,000 bottles of AMP II Pro Drops, valued at $2.8 million.
Biogenics does business as E'OLA International and contracts with Nature's Energy Inc. of Pleasant Grove, Utah, for production. The FDA said inspections of E'OLA's raw materials revealed the purchase of ephedrine HCI, which has been listed as a drug by the FDA since 1948. Additionally, the FDA said E'OLA marketed AMP II Pro Drops as a treatment for obesity, which is illegal.
The FDA said the products also are misbranded because their labeling fails to provide adequate directions for use.
In other product recalls, Mrs. Grissom's Salads Inc. of Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday recalled a number of its products because they contain egg yolks that are not listed on the ingredient statement.
The recall involves tuna salad, jalapeno spread or dip, pimento cheese spread, Houchens tuna salad and Houchens pimento cheese spread, which were distributed in Tennessee, Kentucky and northern Alabama. The affected products have expiration dates ranging from Dec. 12 through Jan. 26.
Customers with egg allergies are urged to return the products to place of purchase or call (615) 255-4137 for more information.
Sassy Inc. of Northbrook, Ill., on Wednesday recalled 455,000 soft rattles because the fabric eyes on the rattles can detach, posing a choking hazard for young children.
Sassy told the Consumer Product Safety Commission that the firm had received reports of 129 incidents including one in which a child began choking on a detached eye and had to undergo the Heimlich maneuver.
The recalled rattles include the Lily Pad, Bitty Kitty, This Little Piggy, Goo Goo Goldfish, Smoochie Poochie and Crinkly Crown Dragon. They were sold by toy and mass merchandise stores nationwide from August 1999 through mid-October 2001 for about $5.
Consumers are advised to take the toys away from young children and return them to Sassy to receive a free replacement toy. Call (800)781-1080 for more information or visit the company's Web site at sassybaby.com.
