Just in case you were thinking about stuffing your mouth with anything Chinese that isn't General Tso's chicken -- Don't! Funtastic, a Texas-based novelty company, might have to re-brand itself under the name "Leadtastic," after it began to recall 26,000 fake hillbilly teeth that were manufactured in China.

I love how the packaging to the right works as both a sales pitch and a warning. Luckily these teeth are easily identifiable, just look for brown gums, yellow-colored teeth and a packaging number of 2657. Sorry, I don't think you can turn in Uncle Bubba's teeth as part of the recall effort.

I'm sure you have seen loads of darling children running around with a gob of misshapen plastic teeth in their mouths acting out scenes from Deliverance, but the fun has to end now. It seems lead in toys is an issue mainly because children might put them in their mouths and suffer from lead poisoning. You could argue that some items such as board games and piggy banks can contain as much lead as low-cost producers see fit since kids aren't likely to shove those items into their mouths. (Not that they won't try anyway). Somehow Funtastic missed this memo and for the last three years has been shipping lead-filled toys which are meant to be jammed into your kid's mouth.

You can get a refund on your lead dentures by contacting Leadtastic Funtastic.

The Toy Industry Association's board of directors is beginning to take steps to aggressively address toy safety issues, which were all too common in 2007. According to press accounts, there were 61 toy related product recalls last year, representing an increase of approximately 50% above the total toy safety issues reported for 2006.
With leadership assistance solicited from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a proposed plan of action has been drafted for the Toy Industry Association in an effort to more clearly define the product safety responsibilities of toy manufacturers and to more closely monitor toy manufacturing operations. The full program description will be published by ANSI for public review and comment on Feb. 22.

Daniel Grossman, Chairman of the Board of the Toy Industry Association is quoted on the TIA website as stating: "Once again, our industry has responded quickly and effectively when toy safety issues have been identified." The Toy Industry Association represents more than 500 manufacturers, and its members import or produce some 85% of toys distributed in North America, according to the website. Naturally this group has a strong interest in at least trying to keep on top of safety issues.

Nancy Nord, acting chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has taken a justifiably hard line when it comes to toy industry foibles. Associated Press quoted her as stating: "I will not tolerate this industry ... not complying with our regulations." The CPSC is helping by providing additional guidance in the efforts to develop a toy manufacturer standards program and the agency is making it clear that they're not playing around.

The largest beef recall in United States history happened over the weekend, so consumers better put their steaks on hold until they check the packaging. Some 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a California slaughterhouse have been recalled. The questionable meat dates back to February 1, 2006 (who keeps their meat in the freezer that long?). Much of the beef supplied by Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. goes to federal programs, including school lunches.

The recall is based upon the fact that the plant violated health regulations and cattle didn't receive proper inspections. So far no illnesses have been reported, but employees have been charged with animal cruelty and illegal movement of animals. Reports say that some of the cows were too sick to even walk to the slaughterhouse.

The beef from Westland/Hallmark is sold in bulk packaging from distribution centers. It's unclear how much of the beef hasn't been consumed. Double check your packaging, and if you have any meat from that company, please throw it out immediately.

Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations for her company Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting, and is the author of Essentials of Corporate Fraud.

It didn't rank up there with my wedding day or the birth of my first born, but I can honestly say that I remember the first time I saw Topps Meat on my grocery store shelves.

"How convenient," I thought as I grabbed the red rectangular box full of frozen hamburger patties. I'd gotten used to keeping frozen hamburger in the freezer for all those quick fix family suppers that call for ground meat (and I won't embarrass myself further by mentioning exactly what delightful concoctions I might make). But for at least a few months, I regularly bought Topps Meat -- and served it to my children.

I actually hadn't bought the stuff for a while when I saw headlines last Fall proclaiming that 22 million pounds of the meat was being recalled for E. coli contamination. The company went bankrupt in November and its remaining assets may soon be sold.

I can't say I'm sorry to see Topps go -- only sorry that I ever thought buying boxed frozen hamburger was a good idea. Now it seems that taking more care with my ground beef purchases -- actually all my food purchases -- is in order. Given all the food recalls this year, the notion of using convenience as a criteria for buying food seems, oh, so 2007.

This post was written as part of a series on on 2007 departures. Read about more products, companies and people you won't see in 2008.

General Electric has issued a widespread recall for a number of models of microwave/oven combo units sold between January of 2000 and December of 2003. Apparently, the door switch of the microwave can overheat enough to set the plastic on fire. Microwaves, as you know, aren't intended for cooking over an open flame.

The company reports 35 'incidents', although only one resulted in a fire that spread beyond the unit. The units sold under the brand names GE, GE Profile and Kenmore. A full list of the affected models can be found here. The serial numbers can be found in the microwave cooking chamber's left wall.

The company warns owners to stop using the microwave immediately, although they can continue to use the oven section. GE is offering to repair their shoddy equipment for free, or give owners a rebate on a new GE model.

This strikes a sour note with me. When I receive a crappy meal at a restaurant, the last thing I want as redress is a second free meal at the same restaurant. But maybe that's just me.