Consumers cut back on credit card use once again
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By MARTIN CRUTSINGER
AP Economics Writer
   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumer borrowing fell again in July as households cut back on their credit card use for a 23rd consecutive month, adding more drag on an economy struggling to mount a sustained rebound.
   The Federal Reserve says that borrowing dropped at an annual rate of $3.6 billion in July. That marked the 17th drop in credit in the past 18 months.
   Americans did boost borrowing for auto loans in July but this slight gain was offset by further reductions in the category that includes credit cards.
   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Posted 3:00 AM EDT on September 08, 2010

Grassley seeks answers to USDA's role at egg farms
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   DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley is asking Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to address accusations that federal workers ignored complaints about conditions at two Iowa farms involved in the recall of salmonella-tainted eggs.
   Two former farm workers said last week that U.S. Department of Agriculture employees at Wright County Egg had ignored their complaints.
   Grassley sent a letter to Vilsack on Tuesday asking whether the USDA had received complaints and what was done to investigate the concerns. He also asked Vilsack whether there is a system in place for farm and USDA employees to report concerns.
   USDA spokesman Caleb Weaver says the agency is working on a response to Grassley, but a USDA employee doesn't recall any concerns being raised.
   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Posted 1:15 AM EDT on September 08, 2010

The following recalls have been announced:

-- About 1.4 million FIXIT One Million Candlepower rechargeable spotlights, manufactured in China and imported by Innovage LLC of Foothill Ranch, Calif., because they adapter can overcharge the battery, causing it to leak acid. The company has received 13 reports of burns to skin, clothing, carpeting or upholstery. The spotlights were sold at Walgreens, Rite Aid, Bealls, Tuesday Morning, Ace Hardware, Boscov's and Winn-Dixie stores nationwide from October 2003 through October 2009. Details: by phone at 888-408-1140; online at http://www.cpsc.gov.
   -- About 2,100 Play With Your Veggies toys, manufactured in Nepal by The Land of Nod of Northbrook, Ill., because a wire in the toy asparagus can be exposed and pose a risk of cuts. The company has received one report of an exposed wire, but no reports of injuries. The toy vegetables were sold through the Land of Nod catalog and website, as well as in Land of Nod stores in Illinois and Washington. Details: by phone at 800-933-9904; online at http://www.cpsc.gov.
   -- About 3,000 staffs to assist in wading rivers and streams, manufactured in the United States and recalled by Simms Fishing Products of Bozeman, Mont., because they can collapse and pose a fall hazard. No incidents have been reported. The staffs were sold by authorized dealers around the country from March 2010 through June 2010. Details: by phone at 877-789-6555; online at http://www.simmsfishing.com or http://www.cpsc.gov.
   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Posted 5:45 PM EDT on September 08, 2010

FDA cites claims on 2 green tea beverages

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is giving the blues to two beverage makers for their claims about drinks flavored with green-tea.
   The Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters about the labeling of Canada Dry Sparkling Green Tea Ginger Ale. The agency issued a similar letter last month to Unilever over website and product labeling for its Lipton Green Tea.
   The FDA has told Canada Dry maker Dr. Pepper Snapple Group that that Canada Dry does not meet federal requirements to carry the claim that the drink is "enhanced with 200 miligrams of antioxidants from green tea and vitamin C."
   Officials also take issue with Unilever's assertion that mentions four studies that showed a cholesterol-lowering effect with tea.
   The two companies have 15 days to respond and to outline there response.
   Nutrient-enriched beverages have grown into a multibillion dollar market.
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   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Posted 12:25 PM EDT on September 07, 2010

Merck schizophrenia drug approved for 2 new uses

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   WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) -- Merck & Co. says its schizophrenia drug Saphris has been approved for two additional uses by the Food and Drug Administration.
   The drug was first approved in August 2009 for treating acute schizophrenia episodes in adults and acute mania or manic-depressive behavior in adults with bipolar disorder.
   Merck says the FDA now has approved Saphris for ongoing treatment of schizophrenia and for treating acute mania or manic-depressive behavior in adult bipolar patients along with either lithium, a mood-stabilizing drug often used to treat mania, or the antiseizure drug valproate.
   Merck has not yet reported sales figures for Saphris, also known as asenapine.
   Saphris was developed by Schering-Plough Corp., which Merck bought last November.
   (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Posted 2:50 PM EDT on September 07, 2010