September, 1997

Diet pill recall: The drug fenfluramine (Pondimin and Redux), often used in combination with the drug Phentermine for weight reduction, has been voluntarily recalled by its manufacturers. The combination, popularly called fen/phen, was identified the likely cause for heart valve damage in many patients who used it. See fenphen. (Boston Globe, 9/16/97)

August, 1997

Toy risk: Connecticut and Minnesota health officials called on Nestle and Disney to recall "Nestle Magic" - a chocolate-covered plastic ball containing "Lion King" plastic figurines. Nestle, Disney, and US FDA officials claim the toy is safe, in that the interior toys pass the standardized size test for choke hazards. Connecticut officials are concerned that the very concept of the toy - blurring the distinction of toys vs. food - is dangerous to children, and have asked for a volutary recall. (New Haven Register, 8/28/97)

Beef recall: Many Burger King outlets and supermarket chains in the west and midwest went without beef for several days, the result of contamination of beef from the same virulent O157:H7 e. coli bacteria found in apple cider in the Northeast. 25 million lbs of beef were recalled by Hudson Foods, Inc., the largest recall of beef in U.S. history. (N.Y. Times, 8/22/97, New Haven Register, 8/23/97)