General Mills must defend a federal lawsuit claiming that the company mislead consumers into believing their “Fruit by the Foot” and “Fruit Roll Up” snacks are made with real fruit.

The General Mills case was brought in October by Annie Lam, a resident of Daly City, California. Lam sought class-action status on behalf of consumers nationwide. She sued when she discovered that strawberry-flavored Fruit Roll-Ups actually were made from “pears from concentrate,” corn syrup, dried corn syrup, sugar and partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, among other things.

The federal lawsuit is one of several lawsuits accusing food companies of misleading consumers by advertising products as healthier than they are.

Last month Ferrero the maker of Nutella settled a lawsuit against them for $3 million after a California mom sued Ferrero. She sued saying she believed an ad in which a mom states “"simple, quality ingredients like hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa" is an ideal meal to start the day for her four year old daughter. The reality is that Nutella’s main ingredients are sugar and palm oil.

In 2009 Kellog settled a lawsuit against them for $2.5 million. The Lawsuit claimed that Kellogg falsely advertised that its Rice Krispies cereal and Cocoa Krispies cereal supported a person’s immunity system despite not having proficient scientific evidence to support the claim.

These examples serve as a reminder to always check the nutritional information and ingredients before purchasing any food items.  Steer clear of items high in sugar, corn syrup and fat. And remember fresh fruit and vegetables are always a good choice!

Sources:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47388394/ns/business-us_business/#.T7LC7-33C1s

http://www.investorplace.com/2012/05/fruit-less-fruit-roll-ups-lawsuit-to-proceed/

http://www.cerealadvertisingsettlement.com/faq

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/29/us-italy-nutella-idUSBRE83S07Y20120429

Here is a helpful article from the American Academy of Pediatrics about how to correctly measure your child's medicine. We advise you read this important article and pass it along to your friends and family. 

Tomorrow, April 28th, 2012 is National Take Back RX Day, this article from the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) written by Steven Marcus, Executive and Medical Director and Dr. Bruce Ruck, Director, Drug Information and Professional Education reminds us of the important of getting rid of medication we no longer use. Please read the following article and forward to your loved ones. 

From NJPIES:

Why should I get rid of medication I am no longer using? 

Infants, teens and adults can gain access to unused and/or expired medications which can lead to intentional and unintentional exposures. In 2011, the NJ Poison Experts answered nearly 66,000 calls for assistance from both the public and health care professionals around the state.  Of these calls, 25,000 involved the ingestion/exposure of one or more medications.  Approximately 4,000 calls were related to medications being used in suicide attempts; 800 involved attempts by teenagers. In addition, almost 2,000 calls were related to abuse or misuse of medications.  The remainder of calls involved unintentional ingestions/exposures; the majority of which occurred in children below the age of 5. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responding to our nation’s prescription drug (Rx) crisis by partnering with local law enforcement agencies for another National Take Back Day.  As the data shows, prescription and over-the counter (OTC) medications are used every day by teens and adults to get high. This take back event will help keep dangerous, addictive drugs off the street and give the public the opportunity to help prevent pill abuse in their communities. 

The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2012.  Contact the New Jersey Poison Experts at 1-800-222-1222 for a local drop-off site near you.  All sites will operate from 10 AM to 2 PM. 

The NJ Poison Experts encourage all NJ residents to participate on Saturday, April 28^th!  Help make a difference in your community by safely disposing of your unused and/or expired prescription and OTC medications.  In turn, your efforts will help decrease the number of teens using these medications to get high, as well as, decrease the number of toddlers who ingest medications used for diabetes, blood pressure, heart, etc.  Remind the seniors in your lives to do the same. 

If you have any questions regarding the National Take-Back event or if you suspect a poisoning and are seeking treatment advice, CALL THE NJ POISON EXPERTS at 1-800-222-1222. Help is available in over 150 languages; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.  Program the Poison Help line 1-800-222-1222 into your cell phone and post it near your home and office phones too. 

Help us spread the word!  Forward this release to family, friends, coworkers, local radio and TV stations, magazines, and newspapers.  Don’t forget about Facebook and Twitter.  If you haven’t done so already, like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/njpies) and follow us on Twitter (@NJPoisonCenter) for poison prevention tips, safety updates and news.  We appreciate all of your help!

Here at Stepping Stone, we take Poison Control very seriously. A recent article written by the New Jersey Poison and Information Education center reminds us of the importance of spring cleaning and taking inventory and notice of the everyday poisons in our homes.  We hope you take the time to read this important article and pass it along to your friends and family.

--Keep Homes Safe for Your Loved Ones -- 

Steven Marcus, Executive and Medical Director,Dr. Bruce Ruck, Director, Drug Information and Professional Education

New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES)

Newark, N.J. — March 29, 2012 — Easter and Passover holidays are often a time of year where families do their spring cleaning.  Data shows that more than 90% of poisonings happen in the home; therefore, this is a great time to take action and make poison prevention a family priority.  Poisoning is now the leading cause of unintentional death in this country ahead of motor vehicle accidents and firearms. 

Do you have items in your home that could be a potential poison if used in the wrong way? Of course you do and so does everyone else!  Who doesn’t have laundry detergent, medicines, pesticides, batteries, vitamins, cleaning products, mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, car/house maintenance products, gardening chemicals, etc. These are all safe when used for their intended purpose, but on the other hand, they can cause harm when used inappropriately.  Where are your products stored; are they easily accessible by your loved ones, including pets?

Poisonings are a danger to us all. They can occur anywhere, at any time, to anyone (toddlers, teens, adults, seniors, even pets). They don’t just happen to children; in fact, most people who die from poisons are adults, not children.  “I encourage everyone to take spring-cleaning to a whole new level by not forgetting to clean out their medicine cabinets, closets and pantries, garages and sheds,” said Dr. Steven Marcus, Executive and Medical Director of the NJ Poison Center.  “All medicines and toxic substances should be locked up and kept out of sight and reach of children and even pets.  If it can be seen, assume he or she can reach it,” said Dr. Marcus. 

Remember to protect yourself and your loved ones this year when you set out to do your spring cleaning. Poisonings are preventable!

FOOD POISONING

• Always wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw foods.
• Perishable foods like raw/cooked meats, poultry, and seafood should be kept refrigerated.  If left at room temperature for 2 hours or more, they should be discarded.
• Symptoms of food poisoning include: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, chills and fever, diarrhea, and weakness.  Symptoms can occur 1-8 hours after eating “toxic” food.
• EGGS
• Always wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw eggs.
• Raw eggs may carry bacteria known as Salmonella.  Cook eggs fully before decorating.  If you use raw eggs for cookie dough or cake batter, be sure to use eggs pasteurized in their shells so licking the spoon may be safe.  If you happen to touch the liquid inside of a raw egg, immediately wash your hands with soap and water.

CLEANING PRODUCTS

• Keep cleaning products in their original, child-resistant bottles and containers. Do not use food containers (such as cups or bottles) to store household cleaners and other strong chemicals.
• LOCK UP all cleaning products.  Keep them out of sight and reach of children and pets.
• Store chemicals away from food. Many poisonings occur when one product is mistaken for another.
• To protect children from exposure to mouse/rat/insect poison, use products with a tamper-resistant bait station.
• Always close cleaning product containers immediately after use and put them away in a secure, locked location after use.
• Turn on fans and open windows when using household cleaners and chemicals.
• Read and follow the directions for use of products. Do this BEFORE using the products. Follow the advice carefully.
• Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, shoes and gloves, when spraying pesticides and other chemicals.  Pesticides can be absorbed through the skin and can be extremely poisonous.
• Never mix chemicals. Doing so can create a poisonous gas.

MEDICATION SAFETY

• All medicine and toxic substances should be LOCKED UP and out of sight and reach of children and pets. If it can be seen, assume he or she can reach it.
• Never give or take medicines in the DARK - turn on a light and use glasses if needed.
• Avoid taking medicines in front of kids -- never call it "candy." Explain what medicine is and why only adults can give it to them.
• Never share or take old prescription medicines. Taking more than the prescribed amount of medicine can be dangerous. 
• Clean out medicine cabinets, closets and pantries periodically. Safely dispose of medicines that are expired or no longer needed.
• Keep medicines (as well as vitamins and diet supplements) in their original, child-resistant bottles or containers. Do this at home AND when traveling. Remember, child resistant is not the same thing as child-proof. 
• Give infants and children only medicines that are safe for their age and weight.
• Replace caps tightly after each use of a medication.
• Read and follow directions and warnings on the label before taking or giving medicine EVERY TIME.
• Never leave medicine or vitamins out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child's bedside, even if you have to give the medicine again in a few hours.
• Ask babysitters, visitors and houseguests to keep coats, purses, briefcases, or bags that have medicine in them locked up and out of sight from children and pets while they are in your home.
• Monitor the use of medicines prescribed for children and teenagers, such as medicines for attention deficit disorders (ADD).
• Avoid mixing medicine and alcohol because some medicines (prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal/dietary supplements) can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol.
• Use only the measuring device (dosing cup, dosing syringe or dropper) that is included with your medicine.

CHOCOLATE

• Chocolate can be toxic to both cats and dogs.  Symptoms include convulsions, heart problems, nausea, and vomiting.
• Be mindful that chewable chocolate laxatives (medicines) look just like milk chocolate (candy).  It’s difficult to tell the difference between the two so keep these laxatives locked up and out of children’s sight and reach.  Excessive diarrhea which leads to fluid loss will result from swallowing too many laxatives. This is especially dangerous for young children. 

EASTER GRASS

• Keep away from young children and pets as this product can be a choking hazard.  It can cause intestinal obstruction if ingested.

EASTER EGG DYE

• Be sure to use only food dye to color eggs; most of these are non toxic.  Despite their lack of serious toxicity, children should be supervised at all times while decorating their eggs. 

EASTER PLANTS

• Easter Lilly: Keep away from pets.  Poisonous to cats.
• Lily of the Valley: If ingested, this plant can cause heart problems.
• Tulips and other bulb spring flowers:  The bulbs can be irritating to your skin.  If swallowed, they can cause distress.

If the unthinkable happens, it’s good to know the NJ Poison Experts are just a phone call away.  Call the Poison Help line (800-222-1222) for accidents or questions involving medicines, chemicals or household products, etc.  Help is available in over 150 languages; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.  Program the Poison Help line (800-222-1222) into your cell phone and post it near your home and office phones too.  There are no silly questions, and trained staff are always available to answer a question, quell a fear, provide advice, or intervene to get emergency services on site and prepped to provide the needed protocol in the fastest response time” said Dr. Marcus.  He added, “When in doubt, check it out - Prevention is truly the best possible medicine.”  Real People. Real Answers.

Source: http://summit.patch.com/announcements/easter-and-passover-holidays-reminds-us-to-spring-clean-our-homes

The American Academy of Pediatricsrecommends that children’s’ indoor and outdoor learning/play environment should be rich in first-hand experiences that offer opportunities for language development.  Children should also have available to them an abundance of books of fantasy, fiction, and nonfiction, and provide chances for the children to relate stories. Caregivers/teachers should foster language development by:

• Speaking with children rather than at them;
• Encouraging children to talk with each other by helping them to listen and respond;
• Giving children models of verbal expression;
• Reading books about the child's culture and history, which would serve to help the child develop a sense of self;
• Reading to children and re-reading their favorite books;
• Listening respectfully when children speak;
• Encouraging interactive storytelling;
• Using open-ended questions;
• Provide opportunities during indoor and outdoor learning/play to use writing supplies and printed materials;
• Provide and read books relevant to their natural environment outdoors (for example, books about the current season, local wildlife, etc.);
• Provide settings that encourage children to observe nature, such as a butterfly garden, bird watching station, etc.;
• Providing opportunities to explore writing, such as through a writing area or individual journals.

Language reflects and shapes thinking. A preschoolers’ environment and activities should be created to match their needs and interests to enhance their language skills. First-hand experiences encourage children to talk with each other and with adults, to seek, develop, and use increasingly more complex vocabulary, and to use language to express thinking, feeling, and curiosity.

Examples of verbal encouragement or verbal expression are: “ask Johnny if you may play with him”; “tell him you don’t like being hit”; “tell Sara what you saw downtown yesterday;” “can you tell Mommy about what you and Johnny played this morning?” These encouraging statements should be followed by respectful listening, without pressuring the child to speak.

From: Caring for Our Children:National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.