NBTY Recalls Shark Cartilage For Potential Salmonella Contamination

Three lots of NBTY's shark cartilage capsules tested negative for salmonella during every phase of the testing process, but "routine testing procedures" with a retained sample later produced a positive result for salmonella, the company said May 16.

The firm announced a nationwide recall of some of the shark cartilage capsules it manufactured in 2004 due to potential salmonella contamination. No illnesses related to the products have been reported.

NBTY CFO Harvey Kamil said a total of around 900,000 bottles of the product are subject to the recall, but the firm does not expect any product returns.

"We believe all products have been used ... We don't believe there is any product out in the marketplace at all and so we don't think there will be any cost at all," Kamil told "The Tan Sheet."

He said the firm does not expect the recall to affect its earnings in upcoming quarters.

NBTY's private-label customers distributed the capsules to consumers through mail and online orders and at retail stores, the firm said in a release. The lots included brands such as Puritan's Pride , Nature's Bounty and Rexall Sundown .

Bohemia, N.Y.-based NBTY purchases shark cartilage ingredient from other firms to use in products it manufactures.

Kamil said both NBTY and the shark cartilage supplier previously tested the ingredient, which was later found with the potential salmonella contamination, before NBTY used it.

Tests on additional samples have not shown "any evidence of contamination," according to NBTY.

"In terms of the testing procedures, we comply with all the [good manufacturing practices] and so nothing has to be changed. It's very unusual," Kamil said.

"Bear in mind we've had no complaints - there's no complaints whatsoever, not even one on the product," he added.

- Jessica Lake ([email protected])