Recalls

Jelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic to

Mitch Lipka Nov 6th 2009 @ 2:30PM EST Filed Under: Food, Recalls, Consumer Ally

For people with peanut allergies, beware these innocent-looking jelly beans. Jelly Belly is recalling 7.5-ounce cylinders of 49 Flavors Jelly Belly jelly beans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The label does not mention that the ingredients include peanut butter and peanut flour.

"People who have an allergy to peanuts or a severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these ingredients," the FDA said in its recall announcement.

Continue reading Jelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic to

Dogs snacks recalled by PetSmart due to salmonella fears

Mitch Lipka Nov 6th 2009 @ 12:30PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

PetSmart stores are warning dog owners to protect their pooches from getting salmonella from some treats sold at its stores, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Two types of Dentley beef hooves sold between Oct. 2 and Nov. 3 are being recalled over fears they could be contaminated with the bacteria. They are:

Dentley's Bulk Cattle Hoof UPC# 73725703323
Dentley's 10 Pack Beef Hooves UPC# 73725736055

Both have a use-by date of Oct. 14, 2012.

The FDA said that although the products were shipped from the Pet Carousel manufacturing plant to only three PetSmart regional distribution centers, the company was pulling the product from its stores nationwide as a precaution.

Consumers who have the products should not feed them to their pets, and should return them to any PetSmart store for a refund. Those who have fed them to their dogs and are concerned should contact a veterinarian.

Dogs do not necessarily show the same signs of salmonella poisoning as humans, but can suffer from diarrhea and have other symptoms.

For additional information, visit PetSmart's site, the FDA site or call PetSmart 1-888-839-9638.

E.coli outbreaks lead to meat recall: More than 500,000 pounds of ground beef recalled

Mitch Lipka Nov 2nd 2009 @ 6:30PM EST Filed Under: Food, Recalls, Consumer Ally

After two deaths and more than two dozen people taking ill from E.coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is recalling 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef products sold from Maine to North Carolina.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with health and agriculture departments in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts connected the E.coli cases to beef that was prepared at a plant in upstate New York, the USDA said. All the meat was processed at Fairbank Farms in Ashville, N.Y.

UPDATE: The CDC announced the outbreak now has victims coast-to-coast, stretching from Maine to California. The 28 people known to have gotten sick with the same strain of e.Coli live in 12 states: California (1), Connecticut (4), Massachusetts (8), Maryland (1), Maine (2), Minnesota (1), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (2), and Vermont (1), the CDC said. Of those, 16 were hospitalized and three suffered kidney failure, the CDC reported.

Continue reading E.coli outbreaks lead to meat recall: More than 500,000 pounds of ground beef recalled

Nearly one million more window shades recalled after near-strangulations

Mitch Lipka Oct 28th 2009 @ 7:35PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

Nearly one million Roman window shades are being recalled -- most sold by Bed Bath and Beyond and IKEA -- following three near strangulations, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Infants and young children can become entangled in the exposed inner cord of the shades. About 5.5 million similar shades were recalled in August. Repair kits are being offered to help consumers make the shades safe.

Continue reading Nearly one million more window shades recalled after near-strangulations

Overheating Target Halloween flashlights uncovered by WalletPop are recalled by the CPSC

Mitch Lipka Oct 28th 2009 @ 6:00AM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

More than 600,000 Halloween flashlights sold at Target stores nationwide in August and September are being recalled following a story on WalletPop.com about them overheating and burning -- just days before kids head out for trick-or-treating.

The recall being announced today by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission includes both the flashlights that WalletPop detailed on Oct. 1 -- a three-pack of mini flashlights -- as well as a second set of flashlights with stencils that project six different Hallloween images. Chicago TV station WBBM revealed the problems with those flashlights.

Consumers are asked to bring the Chinese-made flashlights back to any Target store for a full refund. The flashlights can overheat and melt, posing a risk of burns. Eight incidents were reported, including one child who was burned, the CPSC said.

Continue reading Overheating Target Halloween flashlights uncovered by WalletPop are recalled by the CPSC

Breyers labeling mistake prompts ice cream recall

Mitch Lipka Oct 23rd 2009 @ 4:50PM EST Filed Under: Food, Recalls, Consumer Ally

Somebody wasn't paying attention when slapping on the labels at the Breyers ice cream factory.

Unilever United States Inc., Breyers' parent company, is recalling an undisclosed number of 1.5 quart tubs of "All Natural Cookies & Cream" ice cream that are carrying labels that say "All Natural Mint Chocolate Chip." The lids, however, correctly identify the ice cream inside.

Continue reading Breyers labeling mistake prompts ice cream recall

Recall of Blair clothing nearly doubles after reports of three more deaths

Mitch Lipka Oct 22nd 2009 @ 4:30PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

Chenille bathrobes sold by the catalog retailer Blair are being blamed in the fire deaths of nine women, prompting the company to nearly double the number of items being recalled and expand it to all sorts of chenille clothing, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Most of the victims were cooking when their robes ignited. One was tending to a pellet stove. Nearly all the victims were women in their 70s and 80s. All the deaths were prior to the initial recall in April.

This is the second expansion of the recall of Blair robes, as the death toll has mounted. Added to the recall are 138,000 more chenille robes, jackets and tops. All of the recalled clothing was manufactured by A-One Textile and Towel of Pakistan, the CPSC said.

The additional items being recalled were sold by Blair between 2000 and 2007. A full list is available here.

Many of the products do not meet federal flammability standards, the CPSC said. Owners of the products are urged to stop wearing the recalled clothing immediately. Consumers can get either a full refund or a $50 gift card from Blair.

For more information, consumers can call Blair at (877) 392-7095 Monday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Times, visit www.blair.com/recall, or e-mail blairproductrecall@blair.com.

'Haunted house' comes with a spooky surprise: It can catch on fire

Mitch Lipka Oct 21st 2009 @ 6:00PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

It's a spooky looking house/candle holder intended to give you home a little extra Halloween flavor. As it turns out, it could add a bit of fright to the occasion since, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, it can ignite.

If you have one of the Haunted House Screen Tea Light Holders sold at Yankee Candle stores nationwide as well as on Yankeecandle.com since August, don't light that match. It turns out that the window panes can catch on fire when the tea light candles are in place. Three fires have been reported.

Yankee Candle, which has no obvious notice on its site that the product has been recalled, lists the product as sold out. The distributor, on the other hand, does note the recall on its site.

The candle holder is made of black metal. The windows have a transparent coating. The fire trap of a haunted house is 15 inches wide, 15 inches high and four inches deep. It can hold up to six tea light candles.

The Chinese-made product was distributed by Coyne's & Company, which said about 7,800 of the little houses are involved in this recall. Consumers are asked to stop using them immediately.

To get a refund, contact Coyne's & Company or Yankee Candle. Consumers who want more information should contact Coyne's at (800) 336-8666 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Thursday or e-mail custserv@coynes.com

Can a guy just avoid a burning product for like a month? This time it's Handy Switch

Mitch Lipka Oct 21st 2009 @ 5:30PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

Fresh off my encounter with burning Target Halloween flashlights, I came to find out that I have given refuge to yet another product prone to spontaneous outbursts of fire -- Handy Switch.

About 1.3 million of these remote control light switches are being recalled by Idea Village Products Corp., the U.S. distributor of the Chinese-made product. Nine fires have been reporting due to the switch overheating, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. So, if you've got one, unplug it -- now.

I understand that there are some risks involved with bringing cheap Chinese-made products into one's home. But here's the thing: I bought the switch to test it for reviews I do of As Seen on TV products. It was for work.

Continue reading Can a guy just avoid a burning product for like a month? This time it's Handy Switch

Plum Organics baby food recalled over botulism concerns

Mitch Lipka Oct 20th 2009 @ 2:00PM EST Filed Under: Food, Recalls, Consumer Ally

Plum Organics is recalling some of the baby food it sells at Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores out of concern one of the batches had the risk it could become contaminated with the bacteria that can cause botulism.

Apple & Carrot Portable Pouch baby food with the best if used by date of May 21, 2010 carrying the UPC of 890180001221 are the only ones subject to the recall.

A statement from Plum Organics said the baby food did not meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines for acidity. The company's founder, in a letter to consumers, said the problem stemmed from a "mixing error...which resulted in an improper blend of carrots and apples." The company said it informed the FDA of its action.

Botulism poisoning symptoms include weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble swallowing. The company said it has not received any reports of illness associated with the baby food.

Consumers are asked to either dispose of the pouches or return them to a Toys R Us or Babies R Us store for a full refund.

Consumers with questions contact Plum Organics at 888-974-3555 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time or by e-mail at info@plumorganics.com.

Ouch y'all: Shattering Paula Deen cookware recalled

Mitch Lipka Oct 5th 2009 @ 1:00PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

If you've got Paula Deen cast iron cookware purchased from QVC y'all got a problem.

The cookware's being recalled because they can bust apart or shatter -- something particularly dangerous when they're smokin' hot.

The current queen of Southern-style cooking hasn't had the best month publicity wise. This recall comes on the heels of Barbara Walters accusing Deen of being a contributor to the nation's childhood obesity problem while promoting her cookbook for kids that features some of her tasty, but fat-laden recipes.

First she's making kids fat and now she's trying to hurt their parents. That's a couple of tough blows for the lovable TV personality with a deep and abiding commitment to butter.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Paula Deen Hammered Cast Iron Cookware, distributed by China-based Meyer Trading Inc., can crack or shatter when heated. The cookware poses a risk of burns and cuts, the CPSC said. Consumers are urged to stop using the cookware and return it to QVC for a full refund.

QVC and Meyer told the government they had received reports of 79 incidents. Typically, only a fraction of consumers report problems with products to the government or companies.

Included in the recall are: Paula Deen 11-inch cast iron grill pans and griddles (QVC items K14984, K11970 and K135024). Paula Deen's logo is engraved on the bottom of the black cookware.

The cookware was sold between October 2007 and July 2009 for $35 to $55. QVC said it has contacted known purchasers of the cookware.

For more information, call QVC at (800) 367-9444 between anytime between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. seven days a week.

Halloween flashlights ignite: Target pulls them from shelves after WalletPop inquiry

Mitch Lipka Oct 1st 2009 @ 8:00PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Shopping, Consumer Complaints, Consumer Ally

When you put a battery in a flashlight the flashlight shouldn't start burning. One my son brought home from a birthday party did.

It came from Target -- three for $1 in a package marketing them for Halloween. I dropped in a new Energizer battery, screwed on the top and the flashlight got warm right away. I shut off the flashlight and placed it on the kitchen table. A few minutes later a sizzling sound could be heard that we couldn't identify. The burning smell quickly led us to the flashlight, which was now smoking and melting from the heat. I grabbed an oven mitt, grabbed the flashlight and went out on the balcony and shoved it into a pot of dirt.

I'd have to say that after writing about dangerous products for more than a decade -- many cheap Chinese imports like this -- I hadn't had one go up on me. So I purchased another package of the flashlights and dropped batteries into two of them. One melted. The other was OK. Two out of three flashlights overheating isn't a good ratio in my unscientific test.

So I contacted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Target and the importer, Devrian Global Industries.

Continue reading Halloween flashlights ignite: Target pulls them from shelves after WalletPop inquiry

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