Metabolife Recalls Bar Containing Toxic Levels of Vitamin A

SAN DIEGO--Metabolife International earlier this week recalled nutritional bars for having too much vitamin A. The company's Metabolife Diet & Energy Bars contain approximately 32,500 IU of vitamin A per bar due to an error by contract manufacturer, Farifield, Calif.-based MLO Products Inc. This is more than three times above the recommended upper intake level (UL) of 10,000 IU (or 3,3000 mcg/d) for adult consumption.

The major concern is that an overload of vitamin A may lead to severe health problems that include cirrhosis of the liver and bone and cartilage abnormalities. However, no illnesses from this product have been reported so far, according to Metabolife.

During a quality assurance sampling audit, Metabolife discovered the excessive vitamin A, which was confirmed by an independent test ordered by MLO Products. "We are voluntarily recalling this four-month-old product as a responsible company," said David Brown, Metabolife's chief executive officer.

The 2-oz. bars were distributed from Dec. 25, 2000, until May 4, 2001, to retail stores nationwide. According to the company, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had been notified of the recall and no other Metabolife products have been affected. Consumers can return product to the place of purchase for a full refund or else can call (800) 540-7099.

According to Doug Williamson, vice president at MLO Products, the error with the bars was unfortunate. He stated that a computer transposition error added too much vitamin A that was supplementing a vitamin premix that was used in the bars. "That's the first error of this type in 37 years ofbusiness, and it won't happen again in the next 37 years." To correct this mistake, a system of checks and balances have been put into place, Williamson added, and MLO Products is in talks with Metabolife in regard to replacing the bars. "Our hopes are to continue to work with Metabolife [in producing these bars]," he said.

For more information, visit www.metabolife.com.