La. senator: Are deaths linked to Chinese drywall?

 NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- U.S. Sen. David Vitter is calling on federal officials to do a thorough probe into the deaths of several people who lived in homes built with suspect Chinese drywall.
   A spokesman for the Consumer Protection Safety Commission says the deaths have been investigated and experts found no correlation between the deaths and the sulfur-emitting drywall. Spokesman Scott Wolfson says toxicologists, epidemiologists and other experts found no link between the fatalities and the wallboard that has been blamed for corroding pipes and sickening people.
   Vitter is a Republican from Louisiana, where many of the homes containing the suspected drywall are located. Construction companies imported the wallboard at the height of the U.S. housing boom.
   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
    Posted at 9:31am on March 05, 2010

GM to recall 1.3M compacts for steering problem

 DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors says it is recalling 1.3 million compact cars in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail.
   Models covered by the recall include 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts, the 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s, 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada and 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico.
   GM says the vehicles are safe to drive and never lose steering, but they may be harder to steer when traveling under 15 mph.
   The automaker is getting parts to replace the electric power steering motor and will notify customers when to bring their cars to dealers
 
 (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
 Posted at 11:00am on March 3, 2010

Recalls to fix Nissan brake pedals, gas gauges

DETROIT (AP) -- Nissan Motor Co. says it will recall about 260,000 pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans in the U.S. to fix problems with brake pedals and fuel gauges.
   The automaker says brake pedals on certain 2008 to 2010 Titan pickups and Armada SUVs and some 2008 and 2009 Quest minivans can come loose and cause reduced braking force.
   No injuries or crashes have been reported. Customers with loose brake pedals should contact their dealer.
   Nissan also is recalling certain 2005 to 2009 Armadas and Titans and some 2006 and 2008 Frontier pickups and Xterra and Pathfinder SUVs due to faulty gas gauges. The gauges can show a quarter tank of gas when it's actually empty.
   Owners will be notified when to bring their vehicles in for repairs.

   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
   Posted at 10:59am on March 3, 2010

Kroger recalls 2 onion soup and dip mixes

   CINCINNATI (AP) -- Kroger Co. is recalling two onion soup and dip mixes because of possible salmonella contamination.
   The grocer says an ingredient in its Kroger Onion Soup & Dip Mix and Kroger Beefy Onion Soup & Dip Mix may have been contaminated with the bacteria.
   The mixes were sold in a number of states and are being recalled from its Kroger, Dillons, Fry's, King Soopers, City Market, Smith's, Food 4 Less, Jay C, Scott's, Owen's, Baker's, Gerbes, Hilander and Pay Less stores.
   No illnesses have been reported in connection with the products.
   Kroger says customers who purchased the products should not eat them and return them to the store for a refund or replacement.
  
   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
   Posted at 3:31pm on March 1, 2010
  

FDA says drugs from Roche and Abbott can be dangerous when used together

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about potential heart risks from combining two anti-HIV drugs.
   The agency says preliminary data suggest that Invirase (IHN'-vur-ayz) from Roche (rohsh) and Abbott Laboratories' Norvir can affect the electrical activity of the heart when used together.
   The FDA is reviewing data submitted by Roche on heart activity of patients using its drug with Abbott's Norvir.
   FDA says the HIV drug combination can lead to irregular heart rhythms which can cause lightheadedness, fainting, and in some cases death.
   The FDA says its review is ongoing.
   Invirase was approved in 1995 and is used in combination with Norvir and other anti-viral drugs to control HIV in adults. HIV attacks the body's immune system, eventually causing AIDS.
   A spokeswoman the for biotech unit of Roche says new drug labeling is under FDA review. A spokesman for Abbott could not immediately provide comment.
 
 (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
 Posted 12:59pm on February 26, 2010