I would like to introduce a new section, called Health Watch.  It does not need to be a column, just a box with current health information-- where anyone can submit items of interest. 

For an immediate submission, I would like to alert readers about the recall of Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Rolaids, Simply Sleep and St. Joseph Aspirin. The recall started in early November 2009, but was not made public until late December 2009. 

The Food and Drug Administration did not approve of the way Johnson & Johnson (makers of Tylenol) handled the recall, and issued them a warning.

The recalled bottles have a "musty odor" that makes people nauseous or causes vomiting. The smell has been attributed to "trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA)," in the wood pallets that carried packing materials, used to store Tylenol.

Although the recalled products have probably been removed from the shelves in stores, this alert is to inform anyone who does not know of the recall and might have the product at home. 

To see a list and photos of the products, and complete information, please go to:

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/

 For a list of other drug recalls, see the government website:

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/default.htm