Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Carbonated Malt Beverage Must List Alcohol Content on Can: FTC
The maker of a carbonated alcoholic drink that is popular on college campuses will now be required to disclose exactly how much alcohol is in each container, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday.
The new labeling is part of a settlement over deceptive marketing charges that were filed by the FTC against Phusion Products and its “Four Loko” drinks, the Associated Press reported.
The Chicago-based company will have to put the new labeling on its flavored malt beverages that contain more than two servings of alcohol per container. And it will have to redesign the containers that contain more than 2 servings of alcohol in a way that will allow the container to be resealed so some of the drink can be saved for later consumption, the wire service reported.
The FTC had claimed that the company suggested in advertising that its 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko was equal to two beers when the cans were really equal to four or five beers, according to the AP.
“We share a common interest with the FTC in providing consumers with information and packaging options to help them make informed, responsible decisions,” company co-founder Jaisen Freeman said in a statement.
In 2010, several college students in New Jersey and Washington state were hospitalized in connection with drinking Four Loko drinks, which also had caffeine in them at the time. The company has since removed caffeine from its Four Loko products, but it kept the high amounts of alcohol, the AP said.
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Heart Attack Grill ‘Spokesman’ Dies of Heart Attack
An unofficial spokesman of the Las Vegas’ Heart Attack Grill — home to “Flatliner Fries” and a nearly 10,000-calorie burger — collapsed with a fatal heart attack last week while waiting for a bus outside the restaurant, the Las Vegas Sun reported Tuesday.
John Alleman, 52, was taken to a hospital where he was removed from life support on Monday, according to Heart Attack Grill owner Jon Basso.
Basso said Alleman became a frequent patron and booster for the restaurant, which has a medical theme to its menu, including offerings such as the 9,982-calorie, 3-pound Quadruple Bypass Burger.
Alleman, who worked security at a construction site, could often be found many days standing outside the restaurant’s doors, urging passersby to eat there, the Sun said.
While not on the Heart Attack Grill’s payroll, Alleman became such a fixture that his “Patient John” caricature is on the menu and restaurant merchandise.
Alleman isn’t the first patron to suffer heart trouble after eating at the high-calorie restaurant. In 2012 a man had what was believed to be a heart attack while eating a Triple Bypass Burger, and two months later a woman had a similar health crisis while eating a Double Bypass Burger, the Sun said.
Basso called Alleman’s death a “wake-up call” but said it wouldn’t alter the restaurant’s menu. “(Alleman’s death) isn’t going to stop us from what we’re doing. People have got to live their lives,” he told the Sun.
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Glass Fragments Spur Recall of Lean Cuisine Products
Reports of glass fragments in some Lean Cuisine ravioli dinners has prompted Nestle Co. to recall certain lots of the product, according to a company press release posted Friday.
The voluntary recall of Lean Cuisine Culinary Collection Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli comes after three consumers reported they “found small fragments of glass in the ravioli portion of the entree,” Nestle said in the news release. The company added that no injuries were reported by consumers.
The recall involves products with two production codes: 2311587812 and 2312587812, both carrying “best before dates” of DEC 2013. Since these lots of the product were produced early last November, Nestle believes few remain on store shelves. However, the company is asking consumers hat they check their freezers for the recalled products.
If the recalled meal is found, consumers should not eat it but instead contact Nestle Consumer Services at 866-586-9424 or leancuisine@casupport.com for a replacement coupon, the company said in the news release, which was posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.
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