HEALTH

CHICAGO — Giving an infant a probiotic during the first three months of life appears to reduce the onset of gastrointestinal disorders and result in lower associated costs, according to a study by Flavia Indrio of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Italy, that was released earlier this week. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued a warning that some cryogenic wart removers — which remove warts from the skin by freezing them off — have caught fire during use at home, harming consumers or setting fire to items around the house.

Since 2009, FDA has received 14 such reports about over-the-counter wart remover products. Ten patients have described singed hair, blisters, burns or skin redness, the agency stated.

WASHINGTON — An analysis released Tuesday by the Trust for America's Health found that only 35.7% of adults ages 18 to 64 years got the flu shot last season. By comparison, 56.6% of children ages 6 months to 17 years old and 66.2% of seniors were vaccinated.  

"The trend of low vaccination rates among younger adults is particularly troubling this year, when they are more at risk than usual for the effects of the H1N1 strain of flu that's circulating," stated Jeffrey Levi, executive director of TFAH.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration earlier this week issued final guidance for the industry on distinguishing liquid dietary supplements from beverages. "We are issuing this guidance to help dietary supplement and beverage manufacturers and distributors determine whether a product in liquid form is properly classified as a dietary supplement or as a beverage," the agency stated.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Pharmavite on Wednesday announced the expansion of its Nature Made Adult Gummies product line. The line extension will include Nature Made Adult Gummies Multi + Omega-3, Nature Made Adult Gummies Energy B12 and Nature Made Adult Gummies Immune Complex with Zinc. 

The new offerings are being released at the start of the year when many consumers are looking to get back on track and refocus their wellness routines, the company stated. 

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar on Tuesday announced two new flavors to its Luna Protein line — lemon vanilla and chocolate coconut almond. Lemon vanilla is the first Luna Protein bar without a chocolate coating.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division on Tuesday referred advertising claims made by Coorga Nutraceuticals Corp. for its Grey Defense dietary supplements to the Federal Trade Commission.

NAD is an investigative unit of the advertising industry’s system of self-regulation. It is administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday recommended healthcare professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit.