I too have been having the same problem, but this fix works perfectly!..
Just to be clear, for anyone else reading this, you will need to update all three instances of this code (as detailed above)..
Also, if you want this same change to take effect in the admin area too (where you actually create/update/review the drop down menus) you will also need to update the page below with exactly the same updates!..
this page:
yourstore.com/Admin/Products_Update.php
;-)