US Nutrition Recalls Met-Rx Protein Plus Chocolate Roasted Peanut Bars With Caramel

MEDIA CONTACT: CARL HYMANS G.S. SCHWARTZ & CO. 212-725-4500 CARLH@SCHWARTZ.COM CUSTOMER CONTACT: 1-800-55-MET-RX (1-800-556-3879)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — MARCH 5, 2009 — U.S. NUTRITION ANNOUNCES A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF MET-RX PROTEIN PLUS CHOCOLATE ROASTED PEANUT WITH CARAMEL BARS BECAUSE THE PRODUCTS INVOLVED CONTAIN PEANUTS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE EXPANDED RECALL OF PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA’S (PCA) PLAINVIEW, TEXAS FACILITY. THIS PCA FACILITY IS THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION BY THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) CONCERNING A RECENT SALMONELLA OUTBREAK.

SALMONELLA IS AN ORGANISM THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL INFECTIONS IN YOUNG CHILDREN, FRAIL OR ELDERLY PEOPLE, AND OTHERS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. HEALTHY PERSONS INFECTED WITH SALMONELLA OFTEN EXPERIENCE FEVER, DIARRHEA (WHICH MAY BE BLOODY), NAUSEA, VOMITING AND ABDOMINAL PAIN. IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES, INFECTION WITH SALMONELLA CAN RESULT IN THE ORGANISM GETTING INTO THE BLOODSTREAM AND PRODUCING MORE SEVERE ILLNESSES SUCH AS ARTERIAL INFECTIONS (I.E., INFECTED ANEURYSMS), ENDOCARDITIS AND ARTHRITIS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SALMONELLA, PLEASE VISIT THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION’S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.CDC.GOV

ALL LOTS WITH EXPIRATION DATES OF JANUARY 1, 2010 AND EARLIER ARE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.

THESE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN SOLD NATIONWIDE THROUGH DISTRIBUTORS, RETAILERS, AND DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS THROUGH INTERNET SALES.

U.S. NUTRITION HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORTS OF CONSUMER ILLNESS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THESE PRODUCTS.

THE PRODUCTS LISTED ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSUMED, BUT RATHER RETURNED TO THE RETAIL STORE FOR A REFUND OR EXCHANGE.  CONSUMERS WITH QUESTIONS SHOULD CONTACT THE COMPANY AT 1-800-556-3879, MONDAY – FRIDAY FROM 9:00 AM TO 7:00 PM EST.