Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Davie, Florida, is recalling 17 lots of powdered dietary supplement, Stealth Chocolate and Stealth Vanilla, because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product contains an ingredient—Milk Protein Concentrate—that was recalled by one of its suppliers, Plainview Milk Products Cooperative of Plainview, Minnesota.

We have been reporting about the Plainview Milk Products recalls of instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers, and gums (thickening agents) it manufactured over the past two years, because the products might be contaminated with Salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Plainview has stopped production of these products and has notified its customers of the recall.

Plainview sells these products to other industry customers, including distributors and manufacturers, which may have incorporated them into its own products. None of Plainview’s recalled products were sold directly to the public. The Vital Pharmaceuticals recall is one such case and includes the following items (Expiry dates represent month and year:

Vanilla Five pound with Expiry Date 04-11 and UPC 1076482484: Lot numbers: SP9118A2, SP9119B2, SP9120A2, SP9120B2.

Vanilla Five pound with Expiry Date 05-11 and UPC 1076482484; Lot numbers: SP9121A2, SP9121B2, SP9131A2, SP9140A2.

Vanilla 75g with Expiry Date 05-11 with UPC 1076482496; Lot number: SP9125A3

Chocolate five pound with Expiry Date 04-11 and UPC 1076482486; Lot numbers: SP9118B2, SP9119A2.

Chocolate five pound with Expiry Date 05-11 and UPC 1076482486; Lot numbers: SP9121C2, SP9124A2, SP9124B2, SP127A2, SP127B2

Chocolate 75g with Expiry Date 05-11 with UPC 1076482496; Lot number: SP9126A3.

Stealth Vanilla and Chocolate was distributed nationwide, including GNC Distribution Centers in Phoenix, Arizona; Anderson, South Carolina; and Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, as well as to VPX Sports Distribution Center in Weston, Florida and internationally.

The powdered product is packaged in five-pound blue plastic jars with a red band around the top and bottom of the jar. The principal label bears the brand name “VPX” and “STEALTH” with “Muscle Amplification Lean Mass Gainer” and the flavor information in the lower third (“Vanilla Blast” or “Chocolate Rush”). The production code and expiration date are imprinted on the side panel above “Supplement Facts.” The powdered product was also packaged in foil pouches as samples.

The FDA is advising consumers to return the product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Vital Pharmaceutical Inc. toll-free at 1-800-954-7904 or at 1-954-641-0570 during the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

A growing number of food products has been recalled in recent days because of the contamination and a complete list of products affected by the Plainview Milk Products recall can be found at the FDA Website: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/MajorProductRecalls/Milk/default.htm

The problem was first discovered when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) discovered Salmonella in a dairy product and alerted the FDA. The FDA found some equipment was contaminated with Salmonella during an investigation of the facility.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious, 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. Rarely, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 5:50 am and is filed under Defective Products, Food Poisoning, Food Products, Product Recalls, Recalled Food Products, Salmonella.