Children's toys recalled due to 'date rape' drug

Millions of Chinese-made toy beads for children have been pulled from shelves in North America and Australia after scientists found it contained a chemical that converts into a powerful "date rape" drug when ingested.

Two children in the U.S. and three in Australia were hospitalized after swallowing the beads. 

   In the United States, the toy goes by the name Aqua Dots, which are distributed by Spin Master Toys based in Toronto. They are called Bindeez in Australia, where they were named toy of the year at an industry function earlier this year.

   The beads are sold in general merchandise stores for use in arts and crafts projects.   They can be arranged into designs and fuse together when sprayed with water.

   Scientists say the beads contain a chemical that the human body metabolizes into the so-called date rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate. When eaten, the compound -- made from common and easily available ingredients -- can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.

   The recall was announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday several hours after it was announced in Australia.

Aqua Dots were sold nationwide from April 2007 through November 2007 for between $17 and $30. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Spin Master to return for free replacement beads or a toy of equal value.

For additional information, contact Spin Master at (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.aquadotsrecall.com

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Another beef recall, I'm losing count

There are so many recalls lately, that we're are starting to run out of room around here! 

Here is the latest recall of a million pounds of beef:

The giant agribusiness company Cargill Inc. said Saturday it is recalling more than 1 million pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

       The ground beef was produced between Oct. 8 and Oct. 11 at Cargill Meat Solutions' plant in Wyalusing, Pa. and distributed to retailers across the country. They include Giant, Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Wegmans and Weis.    

Cargill learned the meat may be contaminated after the Agriculture Department found a problem with a sample of the beef produced on Oct. 8, the company said. The bacteria is E. coli O157:H7.    

"No illnesses have been associated with this product," said John Keating, president of Cargill Regional Beef, said in a statement. "We are working closely with the USDA to remove this product from the marketplace."

GO SEE THE LIST OF PRODUCTS

Study finds home lead test kits unreliable

The CPSC says not all lead detection kits are the same:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the results of a special evaluation of consumer lead test kits. CPSC staff used commonly available test kits on a variety of paints and other products containing different levels of lead. Many of the tests performed using the kits did not detect lead when it was there (false negatives); some indicated lead was present when it was not (false positives). Of 104 total test results, more than half (56) were false negatives, and two were false positives. None of the kits consistently detected lead in products if the lead was covered with a non-leaded coating. Based on the study consumers should not use lead test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead hazards.

These findings are consistent with previous CPSC staff test results.

CPSC staff studied two common types of home lead test kits that are based on chemical reactions involving rhodizonate ion or sulfide ion.

Most test kits were developed to detect levels of lead in household paint that are usually much higher than CPSC's regulatory maximum level of 0.06%. As a result, staff found that these kits may not be useful for detecting relatively low lead paint concentrations or for detecting lead in other materials, such as metal jewelry or vinyl products. Also, both types of kits may be affected by substances such as iron, tin, or dirt, or by paint colors that can cause the color in the test kit to change or hide the color change, thereby interfering with interpretation of the test results.

As part of the study of lead test kits, CPSC staff also evaluated the use of x-ray fluorescence (XRF) for screening for lead in paint and other products. Twelve of 13 samples were correctly identified as containing lead. The staff notes that this technology may be of use by a professional inspector for screening for the presence or absence of lead in products, particularly for surface level lead. However, XRF detectors are generally not available for consumer use. Further, use of an XRF device requires knowledge, training and consideration of its limitations. For example, XRF detectors have limited depth of penetration so, for certain applications such as children's metal jewelry, it is possible for the surface coating to mask the presence of potentially hazardous leaded base metal underneath.

Consumers should exercise caution when using these test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead exposures. False results can make it difficult or impossible for consumers to determine the proper course of action to take. In fact, CPSC staff has tested a number of other samples that had been identified by consumers and others based on their use of inexpensive test kits as having high lead levels. To date, none of these items has actually had high lead levels based on CPSC lab analysis. This is another indication of the poor reliability of the kits for this purpose. Testing by a qualified laboratory and trained personnel is the only way to accurately assess the potential risk posed by a consumer product that may contain lead.

Consumers can stay informed of lead-related recalls by signing up for email announcements at www.cpsc.gov. Consumers who suspect that their child has been exposed to excessive levels of lead, should immediately contact a physician.

To see this release on CPSC's web site, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08038.html

 

Drug makers pull infant cold medicines

Drug makers on Thursday voluntarily pulled kids' cold medicines off the market less than two weeks after the government warned of potential health risks to infants.

Products aimed at children under the age of two are being removed from store shelves due to "rare instances of misuse" that could lead to accidental overdose, a trade group that represents over-the-counter drug makers said.

Cold medicines being withdrawn include: Johnson & Johnson Pediacare Infant Drops and Tylenol Concentrated Infants Drops, Wyeth's Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops, Novartis' Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips and Prestige Brands Holdings' Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough.

CVS Caremark Corp. said Thursday morning it would remove the affected products as well as CVS-brand equivalents from store shelves.

Late last month the Food and Drug Administration tentatively recommended adding labeling to the medicines indicating they are not to be used in young children.

Current labeling directs parents to consult a doctor before administering the drugs to infants and toddlers and many doctors say they are safe to use.

FDA will formally consider revising labeling at a meeting scheduled for Oct. 18-19.

After reviewing reports of side effects over the last four decades, FDA found 54 child fatalities from over-the-counter decongestant medicines. The agency found 69 reports of children's deaths connected with antihistamines, which are used to treat runny noses.

Shares of Johnson and Johnson rose 22 cents to $66.05 while shares of Wyeth fell 17 cents to $45.99. Shares of Novartis AG dipped one cent to $54.07 and Prestige Brands Holdings Inc. fell 7 cents to $11.09.

 

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Listeria fears prompt chicken & pasta dish recall

A Connecticut firm has voluntarily recalled about 70,000 pounds of a chicken and pasta product that may be contaminated with the Listeria bacteria.

Aliki Foods, Inc., of Old Lyme, says the boxed product is "Aliki Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo Made with White Chicken" and was distributed to several Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, including Delaware.

Routine tests by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service turned up possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. However, the food safety service said it has received no reports of illness associated with product.

Each box bears the establishment number "Est. 219" inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection. It also has a best if used by date of "SEPT 08" on the top of the box.

Health officials say the bacteria can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract it. Symptoms are high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. It can also cause miscarriages.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

On the Net:

Aliki Foods: www.alikifoods.com

USDA Food Safety: www.fsis.usda.gov

Sam's Club pulls beef patties after E. coli illnesses reported

The Sam's Club warehouse chain pulled a brand of ground beef patties from its shelves nationwide after four children who ate the food, produced by Cargill Inc., developed E. coli illness, company and health officials said Friday.

Cargill has also asked customers to return any remaining patties purchased after Aug. 26 to the store or destroy them.

The children became ill between Sept. 10 and Sept. 20 after eating ground beef patties that were bought frozen under the name American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties from three Sam's Club stores in the Twin Cities area.

Sam's Clu voluntarily removed the product from its stores nationwide after the illnesses were reported, the company said.

"We can't be certain that meat from other stores is not involved, since the brand ... was likely sold at other Sam's Club locations," said Heidi Kassenborg, acting director of the dairy and food inspection division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

The patties were produced by Cargill and had an expiration date of Feb. 12, 2008, Sam's Club said in a statement. They were coded UPC 0002874907056 Item 700141.

A Cargill spokesman contacted by The Associated Press said the company would have no comment until Monday.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is working with the federal Agriculture Department to determine the source of the contamination.

Two of the children were hospitalized; one remains in the hospital and the other has been discharged, the Health Department said.

Symptoms of E. coli illness include stomach cramps and diarrhea. People typically are ill for two to five days but can develop complications including kidney failure. People who have developed such symptoms should contact their doctor, the Health Department said.

Sam's Club warehouse is owned by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark.

Cargill, based in Wayzata, Minn., is one of the nation's largest privately held companies and makes food ingredients, moves commodities around the world and runs financial commodities trading businesses.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Boy Scouts and soup recall

Boy Scouts badges recalled over lead concerns

The Boy Scouts of America said Thursday that a painted, plastic badge commonly worn by some of its youngest scouts is being voluntarily recalled after a test revealed high levels of lead in the paint.

Campbell Soup Co. announces recall of Chunky soup

Campbell Soup Company has announced a voluntary recall of more than 72,000 cans of a variety of its Chunky soup.

Possible salmonella contamination prompts Kraft to recall white chocolate

Kraft Foods announced Thursday it is recalling white chocolate distributed in the United States because of possible salmonella contamination.

  Kraft said consumers who purchased its six ounce, Baker's Premium White Chocolate Baking Squares should immediately discard the product. The recalled product was distributed nationally, and have the UPC Code 0043000252200 and for best when used by March 31, April 1, April 2 and April 3, 2008.

   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected the presence of salmonella in some packages of the white chocolate baking squares during tests, according to Kraft.

   Kraft said in a statement that it was aggressively investigating the source of the problem.

   The recall is only for Baker's Premium White Chocolate Baking Squares. No other varieties of Baker's White Chocolate or any other Baker's products sold in the United States are affected by the recall, according to Kraft.

   It said consumers can request reimbursement or ask other questions about the recall by calling Kraft at 1-800-310-3704.

   Northfield-based Kraft, which markets a variety of products, including Oscar Mayer meats; Post cereals and Nabisco cookies and crackers, is the nation's largest food and beverage companies.

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Ground beef recall expanded across U.S. amid E. coli worries

   

(9/30/07 - TRENTON, N.J.) - The Topps Meat Co. on Saturday expanded its recall of frozen hamburger patties to include 21.7 million pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria that sickened more than a dozen people in eight states.

The recall of products distributed to retail grocery stores and food service institutions in the United States was a drastic increase from the 332,000 pounds recalled Tuesday.

The recall represents all Topps products with either a "sell by date" or a "best if used by date" between Sept. 25 this year and Sept. 25, 2008. The Elizabeth-based company said this information is found on a package's back panel.

All recalled products also have a USDA establishment number of EST 9748, which is located on the back panel of the package and-or in the USDA legend, the company said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday it had suspended the grinding of raw products at the Topps plant after inspectors found inadequate safety measures at the Topps plant. The USDA declined to detail the inadequate safety measures.

"Because the health and safety of our consumers is our top priority, we are taking these expansive measures," said Geoffrey Livermore, Topps' operations vice president.

He said Topps has augmented its procedures with microbiologists and food safety experts.

"We sincerely regret any inconvenience and concerns this may cause our consumers," Livermore said.

The USDA said three people are confirmed as getting E. Coli from Topps products, with 22 other cases under investigation. Cases were found in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

E. coli causes intestinal illness that generally clears up within a week for adults but can be deadly for the very young, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and, in extreme cases, kidney failure.

A full list of the recalled products is available at http://www.toppsmeat.com/.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Death prompts infant play yard recall

Baby supply company Kolcraft Enterprises Inc. is recalling more than 425,000 play yards after a 10-month old boy was strangled, a government safety agency announced Thursday.

The boy was inside the company's Sesame Beginnings Travel Play Yard and the restraint strap from the elevated changing table hung down into the main play area and strangled him, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The company is now recalling twelve different play yards with changing table attachments that have that type of restraint strap.

"These play areas have a serious design flaw that poses a strangulation hazard," CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis said. "A 10-month-old boy died after strangling on one of the recalled Kolcraft play yards' restraint straps. We don't want that to happen to any other children."

Kolcraft spokeswoman Diane Steed noted that the changing tables did have warnings on them telling parents not to put a child in the play area when this attachment is on top.

"We would stress to parents again:`Do not put your child in the play yard when the changing table is on top,"' she said.

The play yards were manufactured in China.

One of the play yards, Contours 3-in-1, also features a rocking cradle attachment that sits on the top of the main play area. A child who rolls all the way to the side in the cradle could get stuck between the cradle and the mesh wall of the play yard. If there is a blanket or another material thrown over this wall, it could block the child's mouth or nose and pose a suffocation hazard. The company has received 45 reports of children rolling to the side and getting stuck in this manner, but no reports of injuries.

The play yards were sold around the country between January 2001 and September 2007. To receive a free replacement strap for the changing tables and a free kit to secure the rocking cradle, call Kolcraft at 888-655-8484. In the meantime, consumers should cut the existing restraining straps from the changing tables.

For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov or http://www.kolcraft.com.

The recall includes various models of the following play yards:

Kolcraft Travelin
Kolcraft Travelin
Kolcraft Travelin
Kolcraft Travelin
Carter
"Sesame Beginnings" by Kolcraft Travel Play Yard
Jeep Sahara SE Play Yard
Jeep Sahara Limited Play Yard
Jeep Sahara XT Play Yard
Jeep Sahara Limited SE Play Yard
Jeep Sahara Limited XT Play Yard
Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

200,000 Thomas toys among those recalled

Toys and children's necklaces made in China were recalled Wednesday, including five more items from the popular Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway product line, because they contain dangerous levels of lead.

RC2 Corp.'s "Knights of the Sword" series toys and some of its Thomas and Friends items, along with floor puppet theaters and gardening tools and chairs for children, were among the more than 601,000 toys and children's jewelry announced in the recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recalled toys contain high levels of lead in their surface paint, and the necklaces and jewelry sets contain excessive lead in some of their metal parts, the agency said.

Under current regulations, children's products found to have more than .06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall. The government warned parents to make sure children are not playing with or using any of the recalled products.

This is the second recall from the Thomas & Friends product line after RC2 Corp. on June 13 announced a recall of 1.5 million wooden railway toys. The company is recalling five product items, totaling about 200,000 toys in all, of Thomas & Friends toys not included in the first recall.

Julie Vallese, a spokeswoman for the CPSC, said the latest recalls were a result of both pressure from her agency and the toy industry's own initiative.

"There's been a very concentrated, concerted effort by both the CPSC and the industry to do a top-to-bottom investigation of the products to make sure they are not in violation with any toy safety standards," said Vallese. "The agency overall has been pushing and strongly suggesting to industry, whether it's RC2 or anybody else, to do a systematic inventory. Today's recall is a result of that work."

"I don't think consumers have seen the end to lead paint recalls," she said.

The CPSC announced seven product recalls in all: -Target, the importer of Happy Giddy gardening tools and children's Sunny Patch chairs, recalled about 350,000 items of the product. The children's gardening tools and chairs, manufactured by Starite International Ltd., were sold nationwide from August 2006 through August 2007.

-RC2 recalled about 200,000 Thomas and Friends Wood Railway Toys and 800 Britain's "Knights of the Sword" series toys. The five recalled Thomas and Friends items, sold nationwide from March 2003 through September 2007, include the all-black cargo car, toad vehicle, olive green cargo box and all-green maple tree top and signal base accessories.

-The "Knights of the Sword" recalled toys products include three items: a mounted silver knight on a red horse with an ax; a mounted silver knight on a red horse with two hands on a raised weapon; and a mounted silver knight on a red horse with a lance.

The products were sold at specialty toy stores nationwide from April 2004 through March 2006.

-Jo-Ann Stores Inc. recalled about 16,000 children's toy rakes.

The rakes, each about 24 inches long with a yellow duck head attached to the green handle, were sold only at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores from January 2007 to September 2007.

-Guidecraft Inc. recalled about 10,000 floor puppet theaters.

The recalled puppet theaters, each with a chalkboard surface on the front and colored side panels, were sold nationwide in specialty toy stores, gift shops, catalogs and Web sites from June 2006 through August 2007.

-TOBY N.Y.C. expanded its recall of TOBY & ME jewelry sets to include 23,500 more. The company recalled about 14,000 jewelry sets Aug. 22, also due to high levels of lead in the metal jewelry.

This recall was expanded to include two additional styles: a pink crystal and wood bead necklace and bracelet set with a monkey pendant as well as a pink and clear crystal bead necklace and bracelet set with a heart pendant. The recalled products were sold at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, A.J. Wright, Cracker Barrel and Shopko stores nationwide from August 2006 through August 2007.

-Rhode Island Novelty recalled about 850 children's spinning wheel metal necklaces because the clasp on the necklaces contain high levels of lead. This recall includes necklaces with a spinning wheel pendant, which has rhinestones attached to the front and a silver base. They were sold nationwide from November 2006 through May 2007.

You can find more information on the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Toyota and Nissan issue safety recall

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it was recalling optional "all-weather" floor mats in 55,000 Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry passenger cars because the mat could interfere with the gas pedal and lead to a crash.

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a consumer advisory about the heavy-duty rubber floor mats, noting that if unsecured, the mat could move forward and trap the gas pedal, causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably.

      In a separate move, Nissan Motor Co. said it was recalling nearly 420,000 sport utility vehicles because of possible corrosion in the tube where motorists pump gas.

      The recall involves Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUVs from the 1997-2001 model years. More than 370,000 of the vehicles under recall were originally sold or are currently registered in 22 "cold weather" states and the District of Columbia. Another 45,000 vehicles are in Canada.

      In the Toyota recall, NHTSA urged drivers of other vehicles, including the Avalon and Prius, to check the driver-side floor mats to ensure they were properly installed. NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said it was taking the step "because we believe potentially it is a very serious safety issue."

      Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong said the automaker had not received any complaints about the Avalon and Prius. In some cases, he said the floor mats - used to collect rain water, mud and snow - were stacked on top of the original carpet mats and wedged up against the accelerator.

      The vehicle has hooks on the floor that can only secure one mat at a time.

      Toyota has received 22 complaints and learned of six accidents allegedly connected to the issue. Kwong said they did not know of any injuries linked to the mats.

      The Japanese-based automaker plans to notify owners in early October and expects replacement mats to be available at dealerships by late November.

      In a statement, Toyota advised owners to regularly check that their floor mat is properly secured and said "under no circumstances should more than one floor mat ever be used in the driver's seating position."

      Owners can contact Toyota at (888) 270-9371 or (800) 331-4331 and Lexus owners can call (800) 255-3987 for more information.

      Nissan said its recall was prompted by an inadequate amount of coating on a bracket by the fuel filler tube assembly. In states that use road salt during the winter, a mixture of snow, water and salt could cause corrosion on the bare metal part of the tube and allow fuel to leak.

      Nissan spokesman Fred Standish said there were no reports of fires or injuries.

      The states covered by the recall include: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

      Nissan dealers will replace the fuel filler tube assembly with a new one with an improved coating process. Owners will be notified beginning in late November. For more information, owners can contact Nissan at (800) 647-7261.

      National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

      Toyota Motor Corp.: http://www.toyota.com/

      Nissan Motor Co.: http://www.nissanusa.com/

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Company issues beef recall

There's a recall involving boxes of frozen hamburgers.

Officials say a New Jersey-based meat company is voluntarily recalling some of its hamburgers after a cluster of illnesses in the Northeast caused by E. coli bacteria.

      The New York Health Department says at least six people have fallen ill there. All are recovering. Contaminated burgers were found in one victim's home freezer.

      The USDA says the recall affects more than 331,000 pounds of frozen beef patties that were distributed not just in New York, but nationwide.

      They carried the number "Est. 9748" inside the USDA mark of inspection, and were produced June 22nd, July 12th or July 23rd.

      The recalled products include certain 10-pound boxes of Butcher's Best 100-percent All Beef Patties; certain 10-pound boxes of Kohler Foods burgers; certain 10-pound boxes of Sand Castle Fine Meat; some two-pound boxes of Topps 100-percent Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers; and some three-pound boxes of Topps 100-percent Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

One million Simplicity, Graco baby cribs recalled after 3 deaths

About 1 million Simplicity and Graco cribs are being recalled after three children became entrapped in their cribs and died of suffocation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday.

Two infants, a 6-month-old and a 9-month-old, died in the recalled cribs, which were sold through May 2007. A 1-year-old child died in a newer model of the cribs, which has not been recalled but is being investigated by the safety agency, CPSC officials said.

   Commission spokesman Ed Kang would not comment on when or where the children died. Simplicity spokesman Joe Householder said the company will not release further details about the deaths out of respect for the families.

   In all three deaths, the consumer had installed the drop-rail side of the crib upside down, the CPSC said. This creates a gap in the crib that children can slide into and suffocate.

   Seven other infants have been entrapped in the cribs, according to the CPSC. There have been 55 reports of the cribs' drop sides detaching or the hardware failing to hold the side to the crib.

   Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., is listed as manufacturer of all the cribs, which were made in China. The recalled cribs were sold nationwide, under the Simplicity or Graco brands, from January 1998 through May 2007. The recall involves multiple models and model numbers.

   "Simplicity strives to make safe products, that is our number one priority. That's why we worked with the CPSC to take this action," Simplicity president Ken Waldman said in a statement.

   In a separate recall in June, the commission recalled about 40,000 Nursery-in-a-Box cribs, manufactured by Simplicity, because the assembly instructions incorrectly explain how to attach the drop side.

   None of the cribs that Simplicity currently supplies to stores is included in a recall, the company said in a statement.

   The commission, however, cautioned consumers who have the newer versions not covered by the recall to check to make sure the drop side is installed right side up and securely attached. The newer hardware has a flexible tab at the top of the lower track and a permanent stop at the bottom. The older hardware has a flexible tab at the bottom of the lower tracks.

   In an earlier Simplicity recall, a 19-month-old child in Myrtle Creek, Ore., died Jan. 6, 2006, in a crib that carried the Graco logo, the CPSC said in February 2006. Mattress support slats came out of the crib, and the child suffocated after getting trapped between the mattress and the footboard. That type of crib had been included in a December 2005 recall of about 104,000 Aspen 3 in 1 Cribs.

   The company is offering free repairs for cribs with older hardware. For more information, consumers can contact Simplicity at 888-593-9274.

   Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov    Simplicity: http://www.simplicityforchildren.com

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

RECALLS: Ice tea maker, outdoor candles, bunk beds

Here are some recalls you might want to know about:

 - IT400 Iced Tea Makers
- "Avant Yarde" Decorative Glaze Outdoor Candles
- Jubee Bunk Beds

Dole recalls bagged lettuce after sample tests positive for E. coli

A division of Dole Food Co. issued an international recall of bagged salad Monday after a sample taken from a store in Canada tested positive for E. coli, the company said.

There have been no reports of illness, company officials said.

The voluntary recall affects all packages of Dole's Hearts Delight salad mix sold in the United States and Canada with a "best if used by" date of September 19, 2007, and a production code of "A24924A" or "A24924B," Dole said.

The product was sold in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces in Canada and in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and neighboring U.S. states starting the weekend before last, said Marty Ordman, a Dole spokesman.

The romaine, green leaf and butter lettuce hearts that went into the blend were grown in California, Colorado and Ohio, then processed at Dole's plant in Springfield, Ohio on Sept. 6, according to Ordman.

Eighty-eight cases were distributed in Canada and 755 cases in the U.S., he said.

The company's move came a day after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warned consumers not to eat Hearts Delight.

"Our overriding concern is for consumer safety," Eric Schwartz, president of the Dole Fresh Vegetable division said in a statement. He said the company was working with U.S. and Canadian health agencies, as well as those in various states.

The Food and Drug Administration was talking with Westlake Village, Calif.-based Dole about the situation, agency spokesman Michael Herndon said.

The Canadian agency said it would be looking to find out at what point the salad blend, which is imported into Canada, became contaminated and to see if any other products are affected, spokesman Garfield Balsom said.

Last year, an E. coli outbreak traced to bagged baby spinach was blamed for the deaths of three people and for sickening hundreds more across the U.S.

State and federal authorities ultimately identified a central California cattle ranch next to spinach fields belonging to one of Dole's suppliers as being the source of the bacteria.

Food contaminated with this strain of E. coli may not look or smell spoiled but health officials say the bacteria can cause life-threatening illnesses.

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea; some people can have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis, while others may live with permanent kidney damage.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Chrysler, Honda announce vehicle recalls

 Chrysler LLC said Friday it would recall nearly 300,000 sport utility vehicles to address potential braking problems while driving uphill.

In a separate move, Honda Motor Co. said it was recalling more than 180,000 Civics from the 2006-2007 model year to fix a wheel-bearing seal that could leak and lead to a wheel falling off the car.

The Chrysler recall involves more than 156,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Commander SUVs from the 2006-2007 model years, more than 90,000 2007 Jeep Wrangler SUVs and nearly 50,000 2007 Dodge Nitro SUVs.

Chrysler spokesman Max Gates said the automaker had received about 20 complaints of vehicles experiencing a delay in braking when drivers tried to come to a stop after coasting uphill. To fix the problem, the computer connected to the antilock brake system will be reprogrammed.

There has been one crash tied to the issue and no injuries reported, Gates said. Owners will be notified by mail beginning later this month.

In Honda's recall, the automaker said in an Aug. 30 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the seal where the antilock brake sensor mounts to the rear wheel bearing could allow moisture and salt to leak into the wheel bearing and cause corrosion.

The conditions could lead to a wheel falling off and a crash, Honda said.

The automaker has received two complaints related to the problem, including one in which a wheel came off the vehicle while it was being towed, said spokesman Chris Naughton. No injuries have been reported.

Owners were being notified of the recall this month and can contact Honda at (800) 999-1009 for more information.

Separately, Chrysler said it was recalling 72,333 Dodge Avenger sedans and Chrysler Sebring convertibles from the 2008 model year to address problems with the front door latches and locks.

Gates said the company discovered problems with opening the vehicle doors through its internal monitoring program. No accidents or injuries have been reported and owners are expected to be notified of the recall next month.

For more information, owners can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All rights reserved.)

China agrees to ban on lead paint in toys

China signed an agreement Tuesday to prohibit the use of lead paint on toys exported to the United States.

      Unveiled at the second joint U.S-China summit on consumer product safety, the pact was negotiated in the wake of the recalls of millions of playthings decorated with paint containing the toxic metal.

      China has faced stiff pressure this year after an array of its exports, including toys, pet food ingredients, fish and jewelry, have been recalled over health and safety concerns.

      In the pact, Beijing also pledged to step up inspections of its exports and take other steps to ensure that those products meet U.S. standards, said Nancy Nord, acting head of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. That will include joint efforts by the two countries to increase understanding of those standards among manufacturers and exporters.

      The absence of such an understanding allowed paint suppliers to provide lead paint to companies making toys sold by Mattel Inc. and other companies, said Chuanzhong Wei, vice minister of China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Lead paint has been banned on toys made in the U.S. since 1978.

      "That's why we decided we should intensify the exchanges between importers and exporters in the field of standards," Wei said, speaking through a translator.

      U.S. and Chinese regulators also agreed to hold regular product safety talks, including monthly discussions of recall activity and trends, Nord said. China also will help the CPSC trace products to their source when problems do arise.

      The United States and China also agreed to cooperate on improving the overall safety of the latter country's toy exports, as well as fireworks, cigarette lighters and electrical products.

      "This is an important signal from the Chinese government that it is serious about working with CPSC to keep dangerous products out of American homes," Nord said.

      But Wei stressed that most Chinese exports are safe, echoing a line that Beijing repeatedly has used in defending the quality of its products. While acknowledging more could be done, Wei said that 100 percent safety was impossible and warned against overemphasizing what he characterized as limited problems.

      "We should not over-propagandize the problem," Wei said.

 

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

 

Mattel to recall several hundred thousand toys because of lead paint

Mattel Inc., whose reputation has been battered by two high-profile toy recalls this summer, will announce on Wednesday the recall of a third batch of Chinese-made toys because they may contain excessive amounts of lead paint, The Associated Press has learned.

The latest recall by the world's largest toy maker will be for a Fisher-Price toy and accessories to a Barbie playset and involves several hundred thousand units, according to two persons briefed by Mattel executives who asked for anonymity because the company has not yet formally announced the action. It could not be learned whether the toys were made in different Chinese factories. 

   Mattel officials did not immediately return phone calls on Tuesday.

   Mattel's last recall, announced on Aug. 14, covered about 19 million toys worldwide. They included Chinese-made toys that either had excessive amounts of lead paint or had small magnets that could easily be swallowed by children.

   On Aug. 1, Mattel's Fisher-Price division said it was recalling 1.5 million preschool toys featuring characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo because of lead paint. That action included 967,000 toys sold in the United States between May and August.

   Lead can cause brain damage when ingested by young children. Under current regulations, children's products found to have more than .06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall.

   Robert Eckert, chairman and CEO of El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel, warned at a press conference last month that there may be more recalls of tainted toys as the company steps up its investigations into its Chinese factories and retests products.

   Still, the latest action would be yet another blow to Mattel, which had cultivated an image of tightly controlling production in China. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also said Tuesday it was considering a possible investigation of whether Mattel notified authorities as quickly as it should have in connection with the Aug. 14 recall.

   With more than 80 percent of toys sold worldwide made in China, toy sellers are nervous that shoppers will shy away from their products in this year's critical holiday season.

   Late last month, Toys "R" Us announced it was recalling thousands of art sets made in China due to excessive levels of lead in some black watercolor paints.

   In June, toy maker RC2 Corp. voluntarily recalled 1.5 million wooden railroad toys and set parts from its Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway product line. The company said that the surface paint on certain toys and parts made in China between January 2005 and April 2006 contain lead, affecting 26 components and 23 retailers.

   In July, Hasbro Inc. recalled faulty Chinese-made Easy Bake ovens, marking the second time the iconic toy had been recalled this year.

   Last month, Mattel vowed that it would tighten its controls at its factories in China. About 65 percent of Mattel's toys are made in China, where about 50 percent of Mattel's production is produced in company-owned plants. But apparently, the controls were not strict enough, particularly when it came to overseeing Mattel's subcontractors.

   Until recently, Mattel had focused testing on materials that went into the toys and had factories do sample testing of its products.

   Now, the company is increasing its vigilance at the beginning of production and during production. Factories are now being forced to test every batch of products before they are released to stores. Mattel has also stepping up unannounced random testing of its Chinese suppliers and is tightening enforcement of rules that suppliers use certified paint.

   The Aug. 14 worldwide recall covered more than 400,000 die-cast cars modeled after the cartoon movie character "Sarge" that contained excessive amounts of lead paint. Eckert told reporters the correct paint was sent to a subcontractor, who apparently chose not to use it.

  (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

California produce firm recalls spinach

A California produce company recalled bagged fresh spinach Wednesday after it tested positive for salmonella.

There were no immediate reports of illness linked to the tainted spinach, distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, Calif. The recall comes nearly a year after an outbreak of another pathogen, E. coli, in fresh spinach killed three people and sickened another 200.

The recalled spinach was distributed throughout the 48 states and Canada and sold in both retail and food service packages. It covers 8,118 cases of spinach, although the company said more than 90 percent of that was on hold and would not be released.

While only a single sample from one of three packing lines tested positive for salmonella, the company said it moved to recall all the spinach packed that same day as a precaution.

The recall covers 10- and 16-ounce bags, as well as 4-pound cartons and cartons that contain four 2.5-pound bags, with the following tracking codes: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314.

Consumers with questions can contact Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.

Last year's E. coli outbreak prompted the Food and Drug Administration to warn Americans not to eat fresh bagged spinach. It later lifted that warning after tracing the contamination to spinach processed and packed by Natural Selection Foods LLC in San Juan Bautista, Calif.

The incident prompted stricter monitoring procedures by growers and processors and stepped-up inspections by California health officials.

Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people a year in the U.S. and kills about 600. It can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting. Most cases of salmonella poisoning are caused by undercooked eggs and chicken.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Study: Recalled toys, children's products resold on online sites

August 20, 2007 (CINCINNATI) - Toys and other children's products recalled because of safety concerns are often resold through online auction sites, putting children at risk, according to a recent study.

EBay Inc.'s Web site prohibits the sale of recalled products, but enforcement efforts don't seem to be succeeding, said Keri Brown Kirschman, the study's lead author and an assistant psychology professor at the University of Dayton.

Kirschman, who specializes in child psychology and pediatric injury prevention, said she searched for 141 recalled items on eBay for 30 consecutive days and found them offered in at least 144 online auctions. The products included play yards, baby walkers, bassinets and safety devices.

   About 70 percent of recalled items tracked were sold, she said.

Even sophisticated eBay users appear to be unaware or uncooperative of policies intended to keep recalled products from being exchanged, the study said.

The study was conducted in 2004 at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children's Hospital and reported this month in the peer-reviewed journal Injury Prevention.

Last week, Mattel Inc. announced a worldwide recall of almost 19 million items, including dolls, cars and action figures. Some of the items were contaminated with lead paint. Others had small magnets that children might swallow.

"I hope this study raises awareness on all levels about the problem and about the need to do more to prevent recalled items from getting to children even long after a recall," Kirschman said Monday.

The study recommends that parents check government recall sites before purchasing items on auction Web sites. It said sellers should be required to electronically sign a statement indicating the items they're selling have not been recalled.

Nichola Sharpe, a spokeswoman for eBay, said the online auction site works constantly to enforce its policy and does not permit the listing of items identified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as hazardous and subject to a recall.

"We have been working very closely with the CPSC for a number of years now to educate buyers and sellers about recalls and to enforce this policy," Sharpe said.

Julie Vallese, a spokeswoman for the CPSC, said the agency itself has found recalled products listed at online auction sites. The agency has worked closely with eBay and is confident that it is finding recalled products and removing them from the Web site as often as possible, she said.

   The Dayton Daily News published the results of the study in its weekend editions.

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

SpongeBob Squarepants journals and address books are recalled

(8/22/07 - WASHINGTON) - An Ohio importer recalled nearly 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants address books and journals manufactured in China because the bindings might contain hazardous levels of lead paint, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

Martin Designs Inc. notified the agency that tests of the metal spiral bindings turned up lead content above the level considered safe for children, the CPSC said. Under regulations, children's products found to have more than .06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall.

Children who ingest lead-laced paint can suffer brain damage. The company said it has received no reports of injury.

The recall involves address books and journals sold in retail stores nationwide from June 2006 through July 2007. They have a black metal spiral binding and depict the SpongeBob SquarePants character in various outfits on the front cover.

The recalled address books' UPC code, printed on the back cover, is 80773007505; the recalled journals have the UPC codes 80773002260, 80773075501 and 80773007551.

Consumers should dispose of the product and return the UPC code for a full refund to Martin Designs, Attention: Product Recall, 605 Westlake Dr., Ashland OH 44805.

For more information, consumers can call the company at 1-866-898-0261 or visit its Web site http://www.martindesigns-ltd.com or the CPSC's Web site http://www.cpsc.gov.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Nokia Corp. to replace batteries on request

Nokia Corp. warned Tuesday that up to 46 million batteries used in some of its cell phones could be faulty and pose a risk of overheating.

The advisory applies to batteries manufactured by Matsushita from December 2005 to November 2006, the world's largest mobile phone maker said. Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan is one of several suppliers that have together made some 300 million BL-5C batteries.

  The lithium-ion battery is one of 14 different types of battery used in Nokia phones.

Nokia said 100 incidents of overheating of the Matsushita-made BL-5C batteries have been reported worldwide, but added that "no serious injuries or property damage have been reported."

"Consumers with a BL-5C battery subject to this advisory should note that all of the approximately 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery," the Finnish company said. "According to Nokia's knowledge this issue does not affect any other use of the mobile device."

Nokia did not recall the batteries, but said concerned customers could request a replacement for any BL-5C battery affected by the advisory.

Last year, Sony Corp. recalled more than 10 million laptops after it discovered that lithium-ion batteries used in them could overheat and catch fire. The recalls included notebooks made by other major computer makers, including Dell Inc., Lenovo Inc., Apple Inc. and Acer Inc.

Nokia sells products in 130 countries and employs 110,000 people worldwide. In the second quarter, it sold 100 million mobile devices, claiming a 38 percent share of the global market.

Nokia: nokia.com/batteryreplacement

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

 

Mattel announce second recall of Chinese-made toys

Toy-making giant Mattel Inc. issued recalls Tuesday for about 9 million Chinese-made toys that contain magnets that can be swallowed by children or could have lead paint.

The recalls includes 7.3 million play sets, including Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures, and 253,000 die cast cars that contain lead paint. The action was announced on the company's Web site and at a news conference here by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

   Nancy A. Nord, acting CPSC chairman, said no injuries had been reported with any of the products involved in the new recall. Several injuries had been reported in an earlier Polly Pocket recall last November.

   "The scope of these recalls is intentionally large to prevent any injuries from occurring," she told the news conference.

   It was the latest blow to the toy industry, which has had a string of recalled products from China, ranging from faulty tires to tainted toothpaste. With more than 80 percent of toys sold worldwide made in China, toy sellers are nervous that shoppers will shy away from their products.

   The recall involving lead paint was Mattel's second in two weeks. Earlier this month, consumers were warned about 1.5 million Chinese-made toys that contain lead paint.

   "There is no excuse for lead to be found in toys entering this country," Nord said. "It's totally unacceptable and it needs to stop."

   Toys recalled Tuesday include 253,000 Sarge brand cars, because the surface paint could contain lead levels in excess of federal standard. The 21/2-inch, 1-inch high car looks like a military jeep.

   Also recalled were 345,000 Batman and "One Piece" action figures, 683,000 Barbie and Tanner play sets and 1 million Doggie Day Care play sets.

   In full-page ads Tuesday in The New York Times and other newspapers, Mattel said it was "one of the most trusted names with parents" and was "working extremely hard to address your concerns and continue creating safe, entertaining toys for you and your children."

   The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which negotiated details of Mattel's recalls, reported that since its recall of Polly Pockets play sets in Nov. 11, three children had been injured by swallowing more than one magnet. All three suffered intestinal perforations that required surgery.

   Two weeks ago, Mattel's Fisher-Price division announced the worldwide recall of 1.5 million Chinese-made preschool toys featuring characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo. About 967,000 of those toys were sold in the United States between May and August.

   Mattel discovered the latest problem while they were investigating the earlier recall, Nord said.

   Mattel officials maintained that a European retailer discovered the lead in some of the lead-covered Fisher-Price products in early July. On July 6, the company halted operations at the factory in China that produced the toys and launched an investigation.

   Days after the Fisher-Price recall, Chinese officials temporarily banned the toys' manufacturer, Lee Der Industrial Co., from exporting products. A Lee Der co-owner, Cheung Shu-hung, committed suicide at a warehouse over the weekend, apparently by hanging himself, a state-run newspaper reported Monday.

   Lee Der was under pressure in the global controversy over the safety of Chinese-made products, and it is common for disgraced officials to commit suicide in China.

   After Mattel announced the recall of its Fisher-Price toys, it launched a full-scale investigation into all of its factories in China.

   Before this month, Fisher-Price and parent company Mattel had never before recalled toys because of lead paint.

See the full list

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

255,000 Chinese-Made Tires Recalled

(NEWARK, N.J.) - A tire importer said Thursday it would recall 255,000 Chinese-made tires it claims were defective because they lack a safety feature that prevents tread separation.

The recall involves half the number of tires that the importer, Foreign Tire Sales Inc., had identified in June as possibly posing a risk.

The models involved are steel-belted radial replacement tires for pickups, vans and sport utility vehicles that consumers bought from early 2004 through mid-2006, Foreign Tire Sales said.

The small company, based in Union, was ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in June to recall as many as 450,000 tires that it bought from Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. since 2002.

"Consumers should know that the affected tires meet all federal motor vehicle safety standards. But we went the extra mile by testing them and determining that they did not meet our standards, which are more rigorous," Richard Kuskin, president of Foreign Tire Sales, said in a statement.

Hangzhou Zhongce said it fully cooperated with NHTSA and "has not found any evidence that the ... tires at issue contain any structural defects or are missing any safety features."

The recall is among a series of recent problems involving imports from China. Products including toys, toothpaste, seafood and pet food have been recalled.

Information on the tire recall was to be posted at Foreign Tire Sale's Web site, http://www.foreigntire.com. Consumers can also call a toll-free number, 888-899-9293.

The recall applies to Westlake, Compass and YKS brand tires in these sizes and models:

Size LT235/75R-15, models CR861 and CR857, with a DOT number beginning 7DT5FTS.

Size LT235/85R-16, models CR860, CR861 and CR857, with a DOT number beginning 7DT2FTS.

Size LT245/75R-16, models CR860, CR861 and CR857, with a DOT number beginning 7DT3FTS.

Size LT265/75R-16, models CR860, CR861 and CR857, with a DOT number beginning 7DT4FTS.

Size LT31X10.5 R-15, models CR857 and CR861, with a DOT number beginning 7DT6FTS.

Although Foreign Tire Sales did not make the tires, it is responsible for the recall, under U.S. law.

NHTSA ordered the recall after Foreign Tire Sales told the agency that some of Hangzhou Zhongce's tires were made without a safety feature, called a gum strip, that helps bind the belts of a tire to each other. Some of the tires had a gum strip about half the width of the 0.6 millimeter gum strip Foreign Tire Sales expected, the importer said.

It said it contracted for Hangzhou Zhongce to provide gum strips, but the manufacturer changed the design without informing Foreign Tire Sales.

Hangzhou Zhongce has denied that, asserting that the design did not include a gum strip. It also called the basis for the defect determination by Foreign Tire Sales "highly questionable."

The manufacturer has also told NHTSA that it has received just 11 claims for property damage from the nearly 450,000 tires purchased by Foreign Tire Sales, a rate it called "extremely low." The repairs averaged $1,722, "which is consistent with minor fender well damage," Hangzhou Zhongce said.

Hangzhou Zhongce also said it paid just 1,540 warranty claims for such items as ride disturbance and sidewall issues, which are not related to the alleged defect.

The details of the recall come a month later than Foreign Tire Sales had initially expected. Company spokesman Andrew Frank attributed the delay to gathering information from the manufacturer.

"The recall was complicated," he said.

Tread separation was what prompted the nation's largest tire recall, which involved 17 million Firestone tires in 2000.

Foreign Tire Sales alerted federal authorities of potential problems after it became embroiled in litigation involving the tires and Hangzhou Zhongce.

Foreign Tire Sales said it became concerned about Hangzhou Zhongce tires in October 2005 amid an increase in warranty claims. It began talks with the Chinese company, then commissioned its own tests.

It sued Hangzhou Zhongce in U.S. District Court in Newark on May 31, charging that its tests found that the tires may fail earlier than tests provided by Hangzhou Zhongce showed.

Foreign Tire Sales was sued May 4 by the families of two men killed when a van they were riding in crashed near the town of Jim Thorpe, Pa., in August 2006. The driver and another passenger in the van are also suing.

Hangzhou Zhongce said it made three of the four tires on the van, but they were not the recommended size for that vehicle. The fourth tire, a Michelin, was the proper size, but mismatched tires pose a risk, the Chinese company said. The company added that it has not yet been allowed to examine the vehicle and does not know if the accident was caused by tire failure.

Foreign Tire Sales does not have a warehouse. It has tires shipped directly to distributors, who in turn send them to retail outlets.

On the Net:

Foreign Tire Sales: http://www.foreigntire.com

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Ford to recall 3.6 million vehicles over cruise control switch

Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is recalling 3.6 million passenger cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans to address concerns about a cruise control switch that has led to previous recalls based on reports of fires.

   Ford said the recall covered more than a dozen vehicle models built from 1992-2007. The company said it was responding to concerns from owners about the safety of their cars and questions about the speed control deactivation switch in the vehicles that is powered at all times. 

   The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker previously had recalled nearly 6 million vehicles beginning in January 2005 because of engine fires linked to the cruise control systems in trucks, SUVs and vans. 

   "Customers remain concerned about the long-term durability of the speed control system and about the safety of their vehicles," said Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis. 

   He said the automaker had received "a few reports of fires" in Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars prior to the recall. He did not have a precise number. 

   The recall involves the following vehicles: 1998-2002 Ford Ranger, 1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car, 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, 1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. 

   Also covered are the 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 1992-1993 E150-350 vans, 1997-2002 E150-350 vans, 1993 Ford F-Series pickups, 1993 Ford Bronco, 1994 Mercury Capri, 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning, and 1995-2002 Ford F53 motor homes. 

   An additional 177,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Europe are covered by the recall. 

   Jarvis said there have been no deaths, injuries or accidents associated with the recall. 

   It was Ford's sixth recall, involving a total of more than 10.4 million vehicles, conducted since 1999 because of problems with the speed control system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

   The nation's largest single recall involved 7.9 million Ford vehicles in 1996 to replace an ignition switch. 

   Texas Instruments Inc. supplied the speed control switch in all of the vehicles covered under Friday's announcement, Ford said. A TI spokeswoman could not immediately comment. 

   Owners will begin receiving recall notices on Aug. 13. Jarvis said the parts for passenger cars would not be available until early October. In the meantime, owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have their cruise control deactivated until the parts arrive. The parts are available for trucks, Jarvis said.    

Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system or replace the deactivation switch if its found to be leaking. 

   Owners with questions about the recall can contact Ford at (888) 222-2751.

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Fisher-Price recalls 83 types of toys

Big Fisher-Price recall:

Toy-maker Fisher-Price is recalling 83 types of toys -- including the popular Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and Diego characters -- because their paint contains excessive amounts of lead.

The worldwide recall being announced Thursday involves 967,000 plastic preschool toys made by a Chinese vendor and sold in the United States between May and August. It is the latest in a wave of recalls that has heightened global concern about the safety of Chinese-made products.

   The recall is the first for Fisher-Price Inc. and parent company Mattel Inc. involving lead paint. It is the largest for Mattel since 1998 when Fisher-Price had to yank about 10 million Power Wheels from toy stores.

READ MORE

List of model names and product numbers for the nearly 1 million recalled Fisher-Price toys, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

   33662 Elmo Light Up Musical Pal
   33663 Ernie Light Up Musical Pal
   33664 Big Bird Light Up Musical Pal
   34658 Elmo Stacking Rings
   39038 Elmo Tub Sub
   39054 Sesame Street Shape Sorter
   87946 Elmo Keyboard
   90267 Ernie Splashin' Fun Trike
   90609 Elmo Collectible
   90611 Cookie Collectible
   90612 Zoe Collectible
   90613 Ernie Collectible
   90614 Big Bird Collectible
   90745 Construction Playset
   93068 Elmo Boom Box
   93107 Action Fire Engine
   93307 Press N Go Elmo
   93308 Rev & Go Cookie Monster
   93492 Cookie Saxophone
   93493 Elmo's Guitar
   93615 Splash Tub Puzzle
   93780 Music And Lights Phone
   B7554 Count To Beat Elmo
   B7888 Shake, Giggle & Roll
   B7987 Elmo in the Giggle Box
   B7989 Silly Parts Talking Elmo
   B9620 Dora's Talking House
   C6908 Dora, Backpack, Perrito Figure Pack
   C6909 Diego Figure Pack
   C6910 Swiper Figure Pack
   C6911 Boots, Tico Figure Pack
   G3825 Dora Talking Vamonos Van
   G5112 Sing With Elmo's Greatest Hits
   G9717 Giggle Doodler
   H2943 Grow with Me Elmo Sprinkler
   H3343 Cousin Daisy
   H3344 Birthday Dora
   H5569 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Cookie, Ernie)
   H5570 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird)
   H4187 Dora Figures in Tube
   H4628 Water Fun Tote
   H8236 Dora 3 Pack Figures in Tube
   H8237 Blue 3 Pack Figures in Tube
   H8238 Sponge Bob 3 Pack Figures in Tube
   H9124 Chef Dora
   H9125 Bedtime Dora
   H9186 Giggle Grabber Ernie
   H9188 Giggle Grabber Oscar the Grouch
   J0338 Diego Talking Field Journal
   J0343 Go Diego Go Antarctic Rescue
   J0344 Go Diego Go Deep Sea Rescue
   J0345 Go Diego Go Mountain Rescue
   J0346 Go Diego Go Talking Rescue 4 X 4
   J5935 Giggle Grabber Soccer Elmo
   J5936 Giggle Grabber Chef Cookie Monster
   J6537 Sesame Street Giggle Toolbelt
   J6762 Queen Mami
   J6763 Royal Boots and Tico
   J6765 Prince Diego
   J7983 Sesame Street Tub Pots & Pans
   J9518 Sesame Street Giggle Drill
   J9692 Dora's Talking Pony Place
   K0617 Twins Nursery
   K3414 Diego - Talking Gadget Belt
   K3571 Go Diego Go Mobile Rescue Unit
   K3580 Fairytale Adventure Dora
   K4139 Go Diego Go Dinosaur Rescue
   K4140 Toucan Motorcycle Rescue
   L0305 Dora Figure
   L3194 Surprise Inside Diego Eggs
   L3215 Sesame Street Elmo Jack-In-The-Box
   L3488 Sesame Street Birthday Figure Pack
   L3507 Sesame Street - Super Boom Box
   L5202 Birthday Dora
   L5813 Diego Tub Trike
   L8905 Pablo & Pals
   M0351 Dora Figures Dora & Kitty
   M0352 Dora Figures Diego & Bear
   M0524 Go Diego Go Talking Gadget
   M0527 Sesame Street Giggle Doodler
   M0732 Dora's Talking House
   M2051 Let's Go Rescue Center
   M2052 Fairytale Castle

Canned meat recall expanded to more than 90 brands after botulism scare

Here is info on that canned meat recall:

A Georgia meat processor on Saturday expanded its recall of canned meat products that may be connected to a botulism outbreak. Castleberry's Food Co. of Augusta recalled more than 80 brands of canned chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and other meat products in addition to the 10 brands it had recalled Thursday.

   Cans of chili sauce made at the Castleberry's plant were found in the homes of an Indiana couple and two children in Texas who had been hospitalized with botulism. All four are expected to survive.

   Botulism is a muscle-paralyzing disease caused by a toxin made by a bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. Such bacteria are commonly found in soil.

   The Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Thursday that an equipment malfunction may have been responsible for the contamination.

   On Saturday, FSIS said the malfunctions at the Augusta processing plant may have existed longer than initially estimated.    Castleberry's, which is owned by Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC and based in San Diego, voluntarily expanded the recall.

   Brand names of the recalled products include Austex, Best Yet, Big Y, Black Rock, Bryan, Bunker Hill, Castle, Castleberry's, Cattle Drive, Firefighter, Food Club, Georgia, Goldstar, Great Value, Kroger, Lowes, Meijer, Morton House, Paramount, Piggly Wiggly, Prudence, Southern Home, Steak N Shake, Thrifty Maid, Triple Bar and Value Time. The recall also includes four varieties of Natural Balance dog food.

   Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Castleberry's at 1-888-203-8446.

[ Read the full list of recalled brands ]

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

New Easy-Bake Oven Recall Following Partial Finger Amputation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of Product: Easy-Bake Ovens
Units:About 1 million
Manufacturer:Easy-Bake, a division of Hasbro, Inc., of Pawtucket, R.I.
Hazard:Young children can insert their hands into the oven’s front opening, and get their hands or fingers caught, posing entrapment and burn hazards.
Incidents/Injuries: Since the repair program announced in February, Easy-Bake has received 249 reports of children getting their hands or fingers caught in the oven’s opening, including 77 reports of burns, 16 of which were reported as second and third-degree burns. Easy-Bake also received one report of a serious burn that required partial finger amputation to a 5-year-old girl.
Description: The Easy-Bake Oven is a purple and pink plastic oven that resembles a kitchen range with four burners on top and a front-loading oven. “Easy Bake” is printed on the front of the oven. Model number 65805 and “Hasbro” are stamped into the plastic on the back of the oven. This recall includes all units with the retrofit kit. The Easy-Bake Oven is an electric toy and is not recommended for children under eight years of age. Ovens sold before May 2006 are not included in this recall.
Sold at:Toys “R” Us, Wal-Mart, Target, KB Toys and other retailers nationwide from May 2006 through July 2007 for about $25.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Caregivers should immediately take the recalled Easy-Bake Oven away from children, and call Easy-Bake for instructions on how to return the toy oven for a voucher towards the purchase of another Hasbro product.
Customer Contact:For additional information, contact Easy-Bake at (800) 601-8418 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.easybake.com.

The lowdown on dangerous toys

This is a consumer blog so you will see posts about toy recalls from time to   time. One person who can talk intelligently on the subject is Malcolm Denniss,   aka "Mr. Toy Safety." For the past 30 years, Denniss worked as one of the industry's safety experts. He recently retired from a large toy company after 26 years in quality   assurance and signed on as technical director for toys with a testing, certification and inspection firm. Denniss takes time to speak with   The Consumer Blog.

How do the toys of today compare to the toys when you first started your   career in terms of safety?
  Malcolm Denniss: To respond properly to this question it should be clear   that the toys of today are quite different than the toys of 30 years ago, they   are more sophisticated, many contain electronics and therefore batteries and   all the wizardry that electronics can provide. Given the change in sophistication   the toys of today are much safer than those of thirty years ago, however the   industry and public have a higher expectation of toy safety than they did 30   years ago. Changes in the types of toys have occurred from changes in manufacturing,   for instance there are few toys made of metal sheeting and therefore fewer opportunities   for cuts, there are far fewer toys with or that produce small parts that could   be a choking hazard. The awareness of the safety regulations and standards are   also much wider than before. All major and mid size Brands and Retailers require   that their products be tested before they are put on the shelves.

Were there trends over the years that lead to a toy being safer or more   likely to be recalled?
  Malcolm Denniss: There were certainly trends that led to safer toys as   indicated above, changes in materials used (metal to plastic), changes in awareness   of safety standards and the need to ensure products are tested before being   sold. The CPSC's recall programs have also made industry, retailers and the   public more aware of the expectation for safety. The growth of free call in   phone numbers for consumers to notify manufacturers of problems has provided   better and earlier feedback on any issues and helps manufacturers and CPSC focus   on emerging hazards. The Toy Industry has been proactive in holding toy safety   seminars both in the USA and in China as manufacturing has moved abroad. The   requirements of many retailers and Brands to have their toys tested has also   provided greater assurance that products comply with regulatory and industry   standards.

On the other hand the more stringent expectations, more complex toys and improved   standards also lead to more opportunities for products to fail. However while   there are still recalls for toys that fail established standards there are also   a large percentage of recalls for reasons other than failure to meet standards.   This often occurs due to innovation in new toys that produce potential hazards   not recognized by existing standards and are not identified during product development   and design. The toy industry is very much a fashion business and requires constant   change and new ideas, consequently products require careful analysis and evaluation   during the development process to ensure there are no new potential for hazards   that did not exist previously. If the new product design reviews are not sufficiently   robust then these problems may not be caught in traditional testing and result   in injuries and recalls. While the skills to conduct these types of product   reviews are available in many companies there some that need to subcontract   to consulting or specialized firms who can provide the necessary expertise.

What can toy companies do to prevent a recall?
  Malcolm Denniss: Companies need to address all the aspects of toy development   and manufacture, including appropriate instructions and warnings for use. The   development process is most critical as this is where new and innovative changes   take place and requires rigorous review to ensure that new and previously unknown   hazards are not caused. Companies must include a detailed design analysis during   the development process and if they do not have the resources internally then   outsourcing this skill is just as critical as testing the products to known   standards. Once a product in developed and put into production then rigorous   quality assurance and control must be maintained. The requirements of a good   Quality system are well documented and identified and can be implemented but   it is always necessary to audit the process and results through internal and/or   external sources. Good product evaluations are harder implement as it requires   similar skills in looking for new problems as the designers use in thinking   of new products, when these skills are not available internally then it is critical   that they be outsourced.

Thomas & Friends toy recall

Here is the info on the Thomas & Friends toy recall:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Products: Various Thomas & Friends" Wooden Railway Toys

Units: About 1.5 million

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: Surface paints on the recalled products contain lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: The recall involves wooden vehicles, buildings and other train set components for young children listed in the chart below. The front of the packaging has the logo "Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway" on the upper left-hand corner. A manufacturing code may be located on the bottom of the product or inside the battery cover. Toys marked with codes containing "WJ" or "AZ" are not included in this recall.

Recalled Product Name

• Red James Engine & Red James' # 5 Coal Tender
• Red Lights & Sounds James Engine & Red James' #5 Lights & Sounds Coal Tender
• James with Team Colors Engine & James with Team Colors #5 Coal Tender
• Red Skarloey Engine
• Brown & Yellow Old Slow Coach
• Red Hook & Ladder Truck & Red Water Tanker Truck
• Red Musical Caboose
• Red Sodor Line Caboose
• Red Coal Car labeled "2006 Day Out With Thomas" on the Side
• Red Baggage Car
• Red Holiday Caboose
• Red "Sodor Mail" Car
• Red Fire Brigade Truck
• Red Fire Brigade Train
• Deluxe Sodor Fire Station
• Red Coal Car
• Yellow Box Car
• Red Stop Sign
• Yellow Railroad Crossing Sign
• Yellow "Sodor Cargo Company" Cargo Piece
• Smelting Yard
• Ice Cream Factory

Sold at: Toy stores and various retailers nationwide from January 2005 through June 2007 for between $10 and $70.

Manufactured In: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toys away from young children immediately and contact RC2 Corp. for a replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RC2 Corp. toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. CT Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at http://recalls.rc2.com.

Houston area lab finds pet food contaminated with painkiller

Scientist, vet warn food could kill some pets

By Laura Whitley

(6/05/07 - KTRK/DEER PARK, TX) - You just thought your pet food was safe. Poison has been found in pet food just months after another scare. A Houston doctor says he's uncovered pet food contaminated with pain medication.

The pet food you are feeding your dog and cat could kill them. Experts are now warning that the contaminated pet food scare could be far worse than first thought. We've just learned a local lab has found food contaminated with a common pain medication -- acetaminophen. That's a deadly combination for pets.

The doctor who runs the lab believes the problems with pet food are far from over. His finding has sparked a new federal investigation.

Just one little acetaminophen pill is enough to kill a cat. But according to the lab, this drug was found in at least a half dozen pet food samples.

Technicians at EperTox in Deer Park test all kinds of samples. For the past few months more than a thousand of those samples have been different types of pet food. The results are troubling.

"We don't really how big and how involved this problem is right now. We are only uncovering the beginning of it," said Dr. Ernest Lykissa.

What Dr. Lykissa says he uncovered in his lab is more contaminated pet food. In more than two dozen samples Dr. Lykissa says either cyanuric acid or acetaminophen were found.

"Poisonous yes, if we're testing for it here, it's potentially poisonous to you," he said.

The highest level of acetaminophen contamination came from a sample sent in by a manufacturer. It tested at 2 milligrams of the painkiller per gram of dog food.

"So if you put two milligrams of Tylenol in little bit of food, that's an extremely high concentration," explained Dr. Michael Huddleston with the Bellaire Animal Clinic.

That's a concentration that could make a dog sick and could even kill a cat.

Dr. Huddleston warned, "Cats are extremely sensitive to this drug."

ExperTox lab manager Donna Coneley was so troubled by the results that she verified the tests.

"We were questioning that," she admitted.  "We took that same sample and did an extraction."

Due to a confidentiality agreement, the lab can not reveal which pet food samples tested positive for the drugs. At least one sample was Pet Pride cat food. All test results were reported to the pet food makers, which should have been reported to the FDA.

It may be up to owners to police pet food because, according to the lab manager, no one from the FDA has investigated their positive findings. In fact, to date not a single government inspector has asked to look at one of the tainted pet food samples tested in this laboratory.

Late this afternoon, an FDA spokesperson says the agency is trying to get those samples. For now Dr. Lykissa considers the quality of pet food questionable.

He said, "The FDA has to become a lot more vigilant, because if we're finding those things who knows what we're not finding."

The tests were conducted over the past month. An FDA spokesperson says the agency wants to test the samples independently to determine the levels of contaminants.

The makers of Pet Pride food said court order prevents them from commenting on our story.

---

Back in March, the FDA learned that certain pet foods were making cats and dogs sick. The FDA later found contaminants in vegetable proteins imported from China and used as ingredients in pet food. At least 16 pet deaths have been linked to the contamination, but the FDA is still sifting through thousands of reports of dead pets to determine if any of those cases are related. The products were sold by many different distributors under a number of different brand names. For the most up-to-date list of product names, check the Menu Foods website or call 1-866-895-2708.    
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Toothpaste From China Containing Harmful Chemical

The FDA has a warning about some toothpaste brands that have the made in china logo on it.

Here is the full release:

FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Toothpaste From China Containing Harmful Chemical
    FDA Detains One Contaminated Shipment, Issues Import Alert

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China, and issued an import  alert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene  glycol (DEG) from entering the United    States.

DEG is used  in antifreeze and as a solvent.

Consumers should examine toothpaste products for labeling that says the product is made in China. Out of an abundance of caution, FDA suggests that consumers throw away toothpaste with that labeling. FDA is concerned that these products may contain "diethylene glycol," also known as "diglycol" or "diglycol stearate."

FDA is not aware of any U.S. reports of poisonings from toothpaste containing DEG. However, the agency is concerned about potential risks from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and individuals with kidney or liver disease. DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to these populations. Toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, but FDA is concerned about unintentional swallowing or ingestion of toothpaste containing DEG.

FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that contain DEG and are included in the import alert: Cooldent Fluoride; Cooldent Spearmint; Cooldent ICE; Dr. Cool, Everfresh Toothpaste; Superdent Toothpaste; Clean Rite Toothpaste; Oralmax Extreme; Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor; Bright Max Peppermint Flavor; and ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste. Manufacturers of these products are: Goldcredit International Enterprises Limited; Goldcredit International Trading Company Limited; and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Company Limited. The products typically are sold at low-cost, "bargain" retail outlets.

Based on reports of contaminated toothpaste from China found in several countries, including Panama, FDA increased its scrutiny and began sampling toothpaste and other dental products manufactured in China that were imported into the United States.

FDA inspectors identified and detained one shipment of toothpaste at the U.S. border, containing about 3 percent DEG by weight. In addition, FDA inspectors found and tested toothpaste products from China located at a distribution center and a retail store. The highest level found was between 3-4 percent by weight. The product at the retail store was not labeled as containing DEG but was found to contain the substance.

DEG poisoning is an important public safety issue. The agency is aware of reports of patient deaths and injuries in other countries over the past several years from ingesting DEG-contaminated pharmaceutical preparations, such as cough syrups and acetaminophen syrup. FDA recently issued a guidance document to urge U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers to be vigilant in assuring that glycerin, a sweetener commonly used worldwide in liquid over-the-counter and prescription drug products, is not contaminated with DEG.

FDA continues to investigate this problem. If FDA identifies other brands of toothpaste products containing DEG, FDA will take appropriate actions, including adding products and their manufacturers to the import alert to prevent them from entering the United States.

Consumers can report adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products to FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:
    www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
(800)  332-1088

GE recalls 2.5 million dishwashers with potential to cause fires

Here's a big dishwasher recall you might want to know about:

General Electric Co. is recalling 2.5 million dishwashers because of a wiring problem that could cause fires.  The recall, government regulators said Wednesday, includes dishwashers sold under the brands Eterna, GE, GE Profile, GE Monogram, Hotpoint, and Sears-Kenmore. 

   The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said consumers should stop using the devices immediately and contact the company for a free repair or a rebate towards a new dishwasher.

   GE has received nearly 200 complaints of overheating, including 12 fires caused by the washers. The machines' wiring is susceptible to shorting out or overheating, the government said, if liquid rinse solution leak outs of dispensers.

   Customers with one of the affected models can receive a $150 rebate to purchase a new GE dishwasher or a $300 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE Profile of GE Monogram dishwasher.

SEE THE AFFECTED MODELS

Pet food recall expands

Here we go again:

Pet food recall expands

(Washington - WABC, April 5, 2007) - The recall affecting pet foods and treats contaminated with an industrial chemical expanded Thursday to include dog biscuits made by an Alabama company.

The Food and Drug Administration said Sunshine Mills Inc. is recalling dog biscuits made with imported Chinese wheat gluten. Tests revealed the wheat gluten, a protein source, was contaminated with melamine, used to make plastics and other industrial products.

Also Thursday, Menu Foods, a major manufacturer of brand- and private-label wet pet foods expanded its original recall to include a broader range of dates, the FDA said. Menu Foods was the first of at least six companies to recall pet foods and treats made with the contaminated ingredient.

FDA officials say they know of no other pet product companies planning recalls.

Sunshine, of Red Bay, Alabama, sells pet foods and treats under its own brands as well as private labels sold by grocery, mass merchant and dollar stores, according to its Web site. A list of recalled products was not immediately available.

Click Here for more info.

(Copyright 2007 WABC-TV)

Sunshine Mills said it would post a complete list of the recalled dog biscuits on its Web site, http://www.sunshinemills.com.

Another company has recalled some of its pet treats

Here comes another:

Some animal treats are now part of the massive pet food recall. Del Monte voluntarily added some of its products to the recall list, in light of the FDA investigation into tainted wheat gluten.That's the substance investigators think have caused so many pets to get sick and die.

The items Del Monte is recalling are:

-Jerky Treats
-Gravy Train Beef Sticks
-Pounce Meaty Morsels

Saturday, another brand of pet food was recalled amid contamination fears. That was after the recall expanded Friday to include the first dry pet food.

Nestle Purina PetCare Company is recalling all sizes and varieties of its Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes.

Purina says a limited amount of the food contains a wheat gluten from China that was found to be contaminated with a chemical found in plastics and pesticides.

Late yesterday, a dry cat food was added to the list of recalled items for the first time. Hill's Pet Nutrition said its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food also included the tainted wheat gluten.

Both companies used the same supplier that provided wheat gluten to Menu Foods. The Canadian company has recalled 60 (M) million containers of wet dog and cat food sold under nearly 100 brand labels.

The recalls followed reports of dogs and cats dying of kidney failure after eating the food.

READ MORE

• www.purina.com
• Chemical found in recalled food; some dry foods now recalled
• Read Hill's Pet Nutrition statement
• FDA.gov
• www.menufoods.com/recall/

Pet Owners Likely to Get Little in Suits