Federal health regulators are warning patients to avoid taking generic versions of flu therapies and other unapproved products claiming they can prevent, treat or cure the flu. In recent weeks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to ten retailers allegedly selling unapproved flu remedies online. Among the products cited in the letters are “Generic Tamiflu,” which the FDA has nevera approved. The agency has also demanded the removal of what it says are fraudulent claims, such as one for “the most effective alternative to the flu shot.”

Don’t tinker with success

After backlash from customers, the producer of Maker’s Mark bourbon is reversing a decision to cut the amount of alcohol in bottles of its famous whiskey.

Rob Samuels, Maker’s Mark’s chief operating officer, said Sunday that it is restoring the alcohol volume of its product to its historic level of 45 percent, or 90 proof. Last week, it said it was lowering the amount to 42 percent, or 84 proof, because of a supply shortage.

“We’ve been tremendously humbled over the last week or so,” Samuels, grandson of the brand’s founder, said of customers’ reactions.

The brand known for its square bottles sealed in red wax has struggled to keep up with demand. Distribution has been squeezed, and the brand had to curtail shipments to some overseas markets.

In a tweet Sunday, the company said to its followers: “You spoke. We listened.”

Fans of the whiskey applauded the move and questioned why the company moved to change in the first place.

Recalls: Travel kits, crossbows, stuffed animals

•  Converter kits: Samsonite dual-wattage travel converter kits used to make standard U.S. and Canadian appliances usable abroad. The kit includes one black converter to change 220-volt AC electricity to 110-volt AC, two adapter plugs with round prongs, two with flat prongs and one grounded adapter plug with three flat prongs. The converter can overheat if a load in excess of 50 watts is applied to the converter while in the 50-watt setting. More information: Call Samsonite at 800-382-7259, or www.samsonite.com/recall

•  Crossbows: Middleton Siege Crossbows imported by The Bohning Co. The crossbows have model numbers 315, 330, 355, and 375. “The Siege” and the model numbers are printed in large lettering directly above the trigger mechanism. The crossbow can fire unexpectedly when the auto-safety mechanism appears to be on and the trigger is pulled. Call The Bohning Company at 800-253-0136 or www.bohning.com

•  Stuffed animals: Beamerzzz stuffed animals with LED flashlight made by Purr-Fection by MJC Inc. The stuffed toys come with LED flashlights sewn into the left paw. They were sold at Cabela’s stores and online at Cabelas.com from Sept. 2012 through Nov. 2012. The LED flashlight wires can protrude through the stuffed toy, posing a laceration hazard. Call Purr-Fection by MJC at 800-359-0254 or www.purr-fection.com .

•  Folding step stools: Grey Task*It 1-UP folding step stools made by Cramer LLC. The stools are plastic and have a 9.5 x 14.5 top step and feature two 11.5 inch legs that fold inward for storage. 2012 through Dec. 2012.

The folding step stool can crack or break and collapse, Call Cramer at 800-366-6700 or www.cramerinc.com.

The Star’s news services