Question medical ‘miracie’ claims BETTER Business Bureau (BBB) spokesman Valerie MacLean, warns con- sumers to steer clear of too good to be true advertisements for mir- acle drugs and treat- ments. These ads which feature exotic potions and pills, spe- cial curative diets, or “newly discovered” treatments, con- tain questionable claims “about the effectiveness and safery of products or services, accord- ing to the BBB. Misleading offers for prod- ucts and treatments for such illnesses as heart disease, can- cer, AIDS, diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other health notes Women’s health fair The North Shore Alliance Church is presenting a free Women’s Health Fair on Saturday, Oct. 16 between 1 and 4 p.m. Speaker topics include cooking .and nutrition (with demonstration), . stress and time." management. and “women and finances.” Free . babysitting : is: avail-* able. The’ event. takes: place at ‘the North” Shore Alliance Church, 201 East 23rd St. For more information, calt north shore news HEALTH medical conditions could be costly in more ways than on People could lose money and increase health risks, especial if there is a delay or forego of proper medical treatment. MacLean advises people to consult their doctors, pharma- , other healthcare profes- sionals, or public health orga- nizations before purchasing any product or treatment. How can you tell if an advertising claim for a “mira- cle” health-related product is likely to be phony, exaggerat- ed, or unproven? The BBB suggests to use caution if: G the product or treatment is advertised as a quick and effective cure-all for a wide range of ailments or for a undiagnosed pain; @ the premoter uses key Carol Woodyard at 984-6422. Food warning The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to cat alfalfa sprouts and sprout mixes sold under the foliow- ing brands: @ Living Foods; a Sprouts Alive; B Kootenay Sprouts. The federal. food inspec- tion agency warns that the sprout brands may contain Salmonelia bacteria. - Salmonella has been. linked .to a batch of seed used to pro- duce the sprouts, according to the CFIA: The tainted sprouts Saskatchewan. s. such as “scientific breakthrough,” “miraculous wow 3 “+ exclusive product, ormula” or “ancient the promoter claims the medical profession or research scientists have conspired to suppress the product: @ the advertisement inchides undocumented case_ histories claiming amazing resul @ the product is adv available from only one source for a limited time and pay- ment is required in advance. The BBB warns people not to rely on promises of a no- risk “money-back guarantec.” Be aware that many fly-by- night operators are not around to respond to refund requests. Anyone with a complaint may have been distributed in B.C., Alberta and Salmonella bacteria causes stomach ill- ness. Symptoms include vom- iting, nausea, fever, stomach cramps and “watery diar- rhea.” Young children, seniors and people with weak immune systems are particu- larly at risk for severe symp- toms associated with Salmonella food poisoning. Tinesses associated with the sprouts have been reported in western Canada. Consumers are asked to discard or return the products to the store where they bought them. _ STORE HOURS e MON TO FRI SAM TO SPR SAT & SUN SAM TO 77 Sunday. C October 10, 1999 — North Shore News —- 21 DR. DEBRA ROVINELLI DR. BART McROBERTS DR. CORINNE KNIGHT DR. NANCY HARDIN WEST VANCOUVER OPTOMETRY CLINIC | 995-2525 1069 24th Street (24th & Haywood) Saturday and evening appointments available. abour a supposed medical Product ar service may con- tacr the Berter Business Bureau or Health Canada. For more information on health-related fraud, visit the BBB's central Web site at . Auto on- lighting system / tilt steering / seating for five / reinforced ladder-box frame Independent four-wheel suspension with MacPherson front struts / adjustable head restraints / 3-year e r : v4 ESLSULOIUCE! se 08 04 | a0} cover / roof rails / fult carpeting / side impact beams / dual zir bags / power assisted rack-and-pinion steering / multi-reflector halogen headlights / ventilated front disk brakes / 16” wheels and tires. 2000 Grand Vitara V6 lease for just $320 *48 months, O.A.C. including freight & P.D.E. or buy from $24,890." 2060 4-door Vitara pecs, lease for just $285 *48 months, O.A.C. including freight & P.D.E. or buy from $21,690."" eye ; North Van Suzuki SS3-2088 Organic and Natural Food Store : Eifective Dates Oct. Al- Oct. i7 1999 3030 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver: rax: 987-6155. TEL? 387-6644