Salmonella Worries Prompts Recall of Shark Cartilage Capsules

BOHEMIA, N.Y., May 17 -- A maker of shark cartilage capsules has issued a nationwide recall after routine product testing revealed potential Salmonella contamination.

The company, NBTY, Inc., said the recall was a precautionary measure. It involved three lots of capsules that were manufactured in 2004, with expiration dates of 2008 and 2009. There have been no reported cases of illness linked to the capsules.

A company announcement said the potential contamination was discovered during routine testing. Additional batches shark cartilage showed no evidence of contamination.

The capsules are sold to consumers through mail orders, Internet orders, and retail stores.

The recalled products are:

• 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).