New group helps US monitor swine flu shot safety

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Independent health advisers will begin monitoring the safety of the swine flu vaccine Monday.
   Specialists aren't expecting problems with the shot, because it's made the same way as the regular winter flu vaccine.
   But the government is taking extra steps to track the health of millions of Americans, to spot any problems quickly and explain false alarms when common disorders coincide with inoculation.
   The specially appointed group of experts will hold private meetings to raise the red flag if the government misses anything.
   The group Monday will hear government and manufacturers' data from studies of the vaccine in more than 10,000 people.
   A summary of the data says there's nothing to suggest any issues from the shot, but it cations that the studies aren't large enough to rule out any very rare risk.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
  Posted 7:02 AM on November 2, 2009

Ground beef recalled over E. coli illnesses

  ASHVILLE, N.Y. (AP) -- A New York meat company has recalled almost 546,000 pounds of ground beef because, according to health officials, contaminated meat has caused illness and one death.
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Saturday the meat sold by Ashville, N.Y.-based Fairbank Farms was linked to cases of E. coli-related illness in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts. New Hampshire health officials say one person died and two others became ill.
  The federal agency says the ground beef was sold at numerous retail stores. Each package carried the number "EST. 492" on the label.
  In addition, ground beef packaged under the Fairbank Farms name was distributed to stores in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, and was likely repackaged for sale.
 
  (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
  Posted 9:34 AM on November 2, 2009

Consumer spending falls in September, incomes flat

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- One private economist says it's going to be a "struggle" for consumers to increase spending -- because incomes are "so soft."
  The comment from Ian Shepherdson of High Frequency Economics comes as the government reports that consumer spending fell by the biggest amount in nine months last month.
  The decline reflected the end of the government's Cash for Clunkers program.
  But with incomes flat, chances of a rebound in spending in the next few months are considered shaky.
  And economists are worried that if households cut back on spending to cope with continuing financial pressures, the economic recovery could falter.
  The concerns have sent stocks lower today, with stocks erasing yesterday's big gains in afternoon trading.
  Just yesterday, the government reported that the economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the summer. But the concern is that much of that growth stemmed from temporary government programs like the auto sales initiative.
  Some economists think consumer spending will slow sharply in the current quarter, lowering GDP growth to perhaps 1.5 percent.
  And analysts say they can't rule out the possibility of a double-dip recession over the next year.

  (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
  Posted 2:29 PM on October 30, 2009

Amazon tries to simplify Web buying with PayPhrase

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Amazon.com Inc. is hoping to simplify online shopping with a free new feature that lets consumers purchase items by typing in a short, unique phrase and an identification number.
  The online retailer planned to unveil Amazon PayPhrase on Thursday. Amazon customers can choose a unique phrase such as "Shopping Fanatic" and a four-digit number that they can then use to buy things on Amazon.com and other Web sites that accept it.
  You can set up multiple phrases and PIN numbers to relate to different credit cards or shipping addresses that are stored with Amazon. Parents can also set up a phrase for their kids to use along with a set amount of money each month and other restrictions.

  (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
  Posted 12:01 AM on October 29, 2009

250 million Accusure insulin syringes recalled

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- An Alabama company is recalling about 250 million Accusure insulin syringes it has distributed nationwide since January 2002.
  Huntsville-based Qualitest Pharmaceuticals says it's received about four complaints related to the needle detaching from the syringe, but no reports of injuries.
  If the needle becomes detached during use, it can become stuck in the insulin vial, push back into the syringe, or remain in the skin after an injection.
  The recall includes all Accusure insulin syringes, regardless of lot number. They were distributed from January 2002 to October 2009 to wholesale and retail pharmacies nationwide and in Puerto Rico.
  The recalled syringes come from multiple manufacturers.
  Consumers who have these products should stop using them and contact the company at 800-444-4011 for more information. Adverse reactions can be reported to the Food and Drug Administration at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

  (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
  Posted 9:16 PM on October 27, 2009