I've heard that this is used for various things in ferrets and wanted
to pass on a recall from the FDA I just received. You can read more
about FDA recalls or join their mailing list at
www.fda.gov.

Dooks to all,
Tracy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- May 16, 2007 -- NBTY, Inc. of Bohemia, NY,
is recalling 3 lots of Shark Cartilage Capsules manufactured in 2004
because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella,
an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections
in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened
immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often
experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and
abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can
result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more
severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected
aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The Shark Cartilage Capsules were distributed to consumers through mail
orders, internet orders, and retail stores throughout the United
States.

The Shark Cartilage Capsules were packaged for various NBTY divisions
and sold under the following labels, lots, and codes:

* Puritan's Pride brand Shark Cartilage Capsules, Product No. 6580,
100 Capsule Size - UPC 74312 16580 1, Lot Nos. 64950 (expiration
date 8/08), 64951 (expiration date 9/08), and 66293 (expiration date
1/09);

* Good and Natural brand Shark Cartilage Capsules, Product No. 6580,
100 Capsules, UPC 74312 46580 2, Lot No. 64951 (expiration date
9/08);

* Nature's Bounty brand Shark Cartilage Capsules, Product No. 6581,
30 Capsules + 30 Free Size - UPC 74312 06581 1, Lot Nos. 64950
(expiration date 8/08), 64951 (expiration date 9/08) and 66293
(expiration date 1/09);

* Natural Wealth brand Shark Cartilage Capsules, Product No. 6581,
30- UPC 74312 86581 1, Lot No. 64950 (expiration date 8/08),

* Physiologics brand Shark Cartilage Capsules, Product No. 55131,
100 Capsules - UPC 16963 55131 1, Lot No. 64951, expiration date 9/08

* Rexall Sundown brand Shark Cartilage Capsules, Product No. 6635,
50- UPC 30768 06635 2, Lot Nos. 64951 (expiration date 9/08) and 66293
(expiration date 1/09);

* Vitamin World brand Shark Cartilage Capsules, Product No. 6580,
100 Capsule Size - UPC 74312 76580 3, Product No. 6582, 200 Capsule
Size - UPC 74312 76582 7, Product No. 6585, 400 Capsule Size - UPC
74312 76585 8, Lot Nos. 64950 (expiration date 8/08), 64951 (expiration
date 9/08), and 66293 (expiration date 1/09)

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This issue was discovered during routine testing of the product.
Testing on additional batches of Shark Cartilage did not show any
evidence of contamination.

Customers may return product back to the place of purchase for a full
refund. Customers may also contact the company with questions and to
obtain information on how to return the product at 1-800-217-7668.

[Posted in FML 5612]