Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Country Fresh Recalls Vegetable Products in 9 States
Possible listeria contamination has prompted the recall of 30,000 cases of fresh vegetable products by Houston area producer Country Fresh.
The recall includes vegetable products wrapped in clear plastic with the Country Fresh label or with store-branded labels at Walmart, Harris Teeter, Winn Dixie, Publix, QuikTrip, Bi-Lo, Fresh Point and The Spinx Company stores in nine states. The states are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, USA Today reported.
The recalled products -- which include diced peppers, diced onions, stir fry vegetables, grilling vegetables and stuffed mushrooms -- have "Best If Used By" dates between Aug. 7 to Aug. 19.
Listeria can cause serious infection and even death in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. No illnesses associated with the recalled vegetable products have been reported, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Consumers who bought the products can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, and can get more information by calling Country Fresh at 281-453-3305, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT, USA Today reported.
-----
Actor Gene Wilder Dies at Age 83
Actor Gene Wilder, perhaps best known for his starring roles in a number of Mel Brooks' comedies, died Sunday at age 83.
The actor and writer died at his home in Stamford, Conn., from complications of Alzheimer's disease, according to his nephew, the Associated Press reported.
Wilder starred in Brooks' comedy classics such as "Blazing Saddles," "The Producers," and "Young Frankenstein," and played the candy man in the children's favorite "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."
He was married to comedic actress Gilda Radner, who died in 1989 from ovarian cancer.
-----
Playing With Concussion: Longer Recovery, Poorer Mental Function
Teen athletes who remain in games or practices after they suffer a concussion take twice as long to recover and have worse short-mental function than those who are immediately benched, a new study finds.
The study included 69 American teens, average age 15, who suffered concussions while playing sports, including football, basketball, ice hockey and soccer. About half reported concussion symptoms immediately and were sidelined, while the other half delayed telling anyone about their symptoms and continued playing for an average of 19 minutes, according to the study in the journal Pediatrics.
Those who kept playing took an average of 44 days to recover from their concussion, compared with 22 days for those who stopped playing immediately. Those who continued playing also had worse scores on mental function tests at eight and 30 days after a concussion, the Associated Press reported.
Among U.S. high school students, concussions occur at a rate of nearly 3 per 10,000 games or practices, but research suggests up to 50 percent of concussions in teen sports aren't reported, according to the AP.
