Date: September 11th 2003

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BABY 411 NEWS UPDATE: September 11, 2003
The free eNewsletter for the readers of BABY BARGAINS and TODDLER BARGAINS
http://www.BabyBargainsBook.com
September 11, 2003
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In this email:
1. FDA warning: natural colic remedy could be dangerous
2. Baby Trend infant car seat now available direct
3. More coupon deals: $400 in coupons for baby gear link..
4. RECALLS: Toy necklaces, swim trainers, baby walkers.

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1. FDA warning: natural colic remedy could be dangerous

A popular herbal remedy for colic has sickened 15 babies, prompting the FDA to issue a warning. The problem: Star Anise Teas, some of which contain a dangerous Japanese herb known to be toxic.

Health alerts like this are exactly why we wrote our new book, Baby 411. Co-authored by a renowned pediatrician, Dr. Ari Brown, Baby 411 has a big section on alternative medicine---we discuss which therapies/medicines are safe and which are dangerous. The case with Star Anise underscores this point.

Baby 411 dives into controversial topics head on---we discuss such hot topics as dangerous herbal medicines, circumcision, vaccines, the epidemic of childhood obesity and more. It’s a must read for new parents!

Please check out the web page for our new book at
http://www.baby411.com

Here is the alert from the FDA

FDA News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P03-67
September 10, 2003

Media Inquiries: 301-436-2335
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA


FDA Issues Advisory on Star Anise "Teas"

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today is advising consumers not to consume "teas" brewed from star anise. It has come to FDA’s attention that brewed "teas" containing star anise have been associated with illnesses affecting about 40 individuals, including approximately 15 infants. The illnesses, which occurred over the last two years, ranged from serious neurological effects, such as seizures, to vomiting, jitteriness and rapid eye movement.

Although the labeling of "teas" that contain star anise does not make claims for the product, FDA understands that these products are popularly believed to help against colic in infants. FDA is unaware of scientific evidence to support benefits from "teas" brewed from star anise. Given that fact, consumers should not use them or give them to infants and children.

FDA has not yet identified the specific type of star anise associated with the illnesses. For this reason, the agency is issuing this advisory as an interim measure while it continues to gather additional information, including that from some European countries that have reported similar outbreaks of seizures in individuals who have consumed tea brewed from star anise.

"One of FDA’s highest priorities is to make sure that consumers have accurate information about the products FDA regulates," said FDA Commissioner Mark B. McClellan. "This case illustrates that FDA will take action to protect consumers against products that may pose health risks."

FDA is concerned that commonly available Chinese star anise (Illicium verum), a product considered by FDA to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS), may contain Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which has long been recognized as toxic in many countries and which should be used for decorative purposes only. At this time, FDA cannot determine if the star anise associated with the illnesses was associated with Japanese star anise or a mixture of Chinese and Japanese star anise.

Japanese star anise in its dried or processed form cannot be distinguished from Chinese star anise through visual examination. Therefore, FDA is evaluating chemical analytical methods that will differentiate between the two species of star anise. Until FDA is able to differentiate between Japanese and Chinese star anise, it is advising the public not to consume "tea" brewed from any star anise. As part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from unsafe products, FDA will monitor imports of star anise entering the United States from various countries to ensure that any imports of Japanese star anise are not labeled or otherwise indicated for use as a food.

FDA considers Chinese star anise to be GRAS when used as a spice or flavoring; Japanese star anise is not GRAS. GRAS status means that a food substance is considered by qualified experts to be safe for is intended use. Safety must be adequately shown through scientific procedures and/or experience based on a common history of use in food, depending on the substance.

The initial reported illnesses were identified retrospectively through a record review after a resident physician from Miami Children’s Hospital treating an infant with seizures associated with the ingestion of a star anise-containing tea reported his findings to the Florida Poison Information Center (FPIC). FPIC then reported the findings to the FDA.

All the affected individuals, including infants, involved in these reported cases recovered without complications.

FDA has since learned of similar reports from Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington as well as the Netherlands, France, and Spain.

As a public health agency, FDA is committed to protecting and advancing the public health. FDA is therefore exploring what additional actions it can take to protect consumers from the risks from products containing Japanese star anise.

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2. Baby Trend car seat now available direct

Readers of our last edition may have wondered what happened to the Baby Trend Latch-Loc Adjustable Back infant car seat. While the non-adjustable version has been available for over a year, the Adjustable Back version has been AWOL. What happened? Apparently, Babies R Us has only agreed to carry this seat as part of a travel system. And no other retailers carry this seat as a stand-alone unit.

But there is good news: Baby Trend has agreed to sell the Adjustable Back infant car seat to our readers if they contact the company directly (800-328-7363). Tell them you read about this in our newsletter!

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3. More coupon deals: $400 in coupons for baby gear link.

The Baby News chain of specialty retailers is doing another coupon deal we wanted to share. Click on this link to get to a list of $400 coupons:

http://www.babynewsstores.com/best4baby/


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4. RECALLS: Toy necklaces, swim trainers, baby walkers.

This email contains the following information:

1. CPSC, L.M. Becker & Co. Inc. Announce Recall of Toy Necklaces
2. CPSC, Swimways Corp. Announce Recall of Swim Trainers
3. CPSC, SunTech Enterprises Inc. Announce Recall Baby Walkers

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For Immediate Release
September 10, 2003
Release # 03-178
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC, L.M. Becker & Co. Inc. Announce Recall of Toy Necklaces

Name of product: Toy Necklaces


Units: 1.4 million

Manufacturer: L.M. Becker & Co. Inc., of Kimberly, Wis.

Hazard: The necklace's pendant contains high levels of lead, posing a
risk of poisoning to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm received one report of a child who
swallowed the necklace's pendant, which reportedly resulted in high lead
levels in her blood.

Description: The necklaces consist of a 10-inch black cord with a 7/8-
inch-diameter gray metal pendant. The metal pendant has assorted symbols
on one side.

Sold from: Vending machines in malls, discount department and grocery
stores nationwide from March 2002 through April 2003 for about 50 cents.

Manufactured in: India

Remedy: Consumers should contact the company for instructions on how to
get a refund.

Consumer Contact: Call L.M. Becker & Co. Inc. at (888) 869-6569 between
8:30 and 4:30 CT Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's Web site at
www.toynjoy.com.

To see a picture of the recalled item, please visit this link:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03178.html

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For Immediate Release
September 10, 2003
Release #03-179
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC, Swimways Corp. Announce Recall of Swim Trainers

Name of product: "Sandy Claws" Swim Trainers Units: 3,400

Distributor: Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Va.

Hazard: The nylon body strap on the swim trainer can detach or tear
from the flotation device and release a child into water, posing a
serious drowning hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been seven reports of the body straps
detaching and two reports of the seams splitting, though no injuries
have been reported.

Description: The recalled "Sandy Claws" Swim Trainer is a red and yellow
colored fabric crab with eight stuffed legs and two eyes covering a
styrofoam buoyancy float. Black straps are attached to the side seams
to fasten around a child. Printed on the underside of the crab float
are the words, "Swim Ways" and "CAUTION: This is not a lifesaving
device. Do not leave child unattended while in use."
Sold at: Specialty pool and toy stories nationwide and Internet
retailers sold the flotation devices from January 2003 through July 2003
for about $12.

Manufactured in: China.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the swim trainers immediately and
return them to the company for a full refund. Swimways will provide
consumers with a self-addressed envelope to return the product.
Consumer Contact: Consumers should contact Swimways at (800) 889-7946
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the
company's Web site at www.swimways.com.

To see a picture of the recalled item, please visit this link:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03179.html

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For Immediate Release
September 10, 2003
Release # 03-182
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC, SunTech Enterprises Inc. Announce Recall Baby Walkers

Name of product: "Sun Kids" and "Happy Baby" Baby Walkers Units: 4,100

Manufacturer: SunTech Enterprises Inc., City of Commerce, Calif.

Hazard: The walkers will fit through a standard doorway and are not
designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers can
be seriously injured or killed if they fall down stairs.
Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported relating to these
walkers.

Description: The recalled baby walkers are made with a plastic frame
supported by six or eight wheels on the bottom. The walkers are blue,
pink or bright green with a padded seat and an activity tray. "SUN KIDS"
or "HAPPY BABY" labels appear on some of the walkers.

Sold at: Small retailers and flea markets in Texas and California sold
the walkers from November 2002 through April 2003 for between $15 and
$25.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Return to the store where purchased or contact the firm to
receive a refund.

Consumer Contact: SunTech Enterprises Inc. at (866) 992-5766 between 8
a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

To see a picture of the recalled item, please visit this link:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03182.html


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That’s the news from here,