Consumer Products 659 articles

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ordered Zen Magnets LLC to recall all its high-powered magnet sets because they pose a hazard to children – who can easily swallow them accidentally or intentionally and cause catastrophic injuries and death. Once swallowed, the small, loose, separable magnets can become attracted to each other in the digestive system, pressing against digestive tissue and requiring surgical removal. If not removed in approximately eight hours, serious injuries and death can result, the CPSC said in a statement. “Surgery to remove multiple magnets from the gastrointestinal tracts of children has been required, and tragically, ... Read More

Many brands of baby formula and baby food sold in the U.S. are contaminated with arsenic, lead and other dangerous chemicals that can affect fine motor skills and cognition in developing infants according to a study conducted by the nonprofit advocacy group Clear Label Project. The organization tested about 530 different baby foods, infant formulas, toddler drinks and snacks focusing on top-selling and emerging brands using Nielsen data, and found that 65 percent of products tested positive for arsenic, 36 percent for lead, 58 percent for cadmium and 10 percent for acrylamide – chemicals that pose risks to young children, ... Read More

More than 40 million Kidde brand fire extinguishers in the U.S. and Canada are being recalled because they might not work during an emergency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced. The recall was initiated after the company received about 400 reports of extinguishers malfunctioning resulting in 16 injuries and one death. In 2014, a death occurred involving a car fire following a crash when emergency responders could not get the recalled Kidde fire extinguishers to work. There have also been about 391 reports of failed or limited activation or nozzle detachment, including the fatality, approximately 16 injuries including smoke ... Read More

Poultry products produced by Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods Inc., may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious illness in some individuals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced in a public health alert. A recall was not issued because it is believed that all products are no longer in commerce and are past their “Best by” dates. The affected product includes 8..75-ounce containers of “Kale & Broccoli Slaw Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast (Rib Meat)” with item #20346 and a “Use By” dates of 10/12/17 through 10/16/17. They were produced ... Read More

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation after receiving reports that Ford Fusion steering wheels have come loose or fallen off the midsized sedan. In one case, a Georgia resident said that the steering wheel of their 2015 Fusion fell into their lap in September while turning into a gas station. (Individuals who file complaints with the NHTSA’s public database are not identified.) NHTSA opened the probe after receiving three complaints about the steering wheels on Ford Fusion vehicles. Two other people said that the bolt attaching the wheel to the steering column came loose while ... Read More

Dozens of vegetable products are being pulled from grocery store shelves across the country after California-based Mann Packing announced it was recalling several of its products due to concerns that the vegetables had been contaminated with listeria, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. Mann Packaging’s recall spurred a chain of recalls from other companies who carry or use Mann Packaging’s produce products. Meijer, a Midwestern chain similar to Walmart, recalled nearly 20 different ... Read More

A softball fundraiser in a small Louisiana town went sorely wrong when the jambalaya served up by one vendor was linked to 158 illnesses, to date. At least 40 people had to go to the hospital as a result of their illness. A 56-year-old woman who ate the suspect jambalaya died. An autopsy was conducted to determine whether the cause was from foodborne illness. Results are pending. Health officials fear that the number of people sickened could climb in the days to come, and is urging those who ate the popular Louisiana dish at the festival to call the Louisiana ... Read More

Louisiana health authorities believe an outbreak of at least 49 salmonella poisonings and possibly one death may be linked to jambalaya sold Oct. 16 at a fundraiser in Caldwell Parish in northern Louisiana. Health officials say they anticipate more reports of illnesses to surface in the days ahead. Jambalaya, a stew-like Louisiana dish often made with chicken, sausage, seafood, vegetables and rice, is a Louisiana staple. The suspect jambalaya was served to at least 300 people. An autopsy is being performed to determine whether the death was caused by salmonella or other causes. Health authorities are advising anyone who has ... Read More

Dozens of varieties of minimally processed vegetable products manufactured by Mann Packing of Salinas, California, including broccoli and cauliflower florets, shaved Brussels sprouts, and vegetable medley, are being recalled. The products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems, as well as illness in otherwise healthy people and miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. The recall was initiated following a single positive result found during random sampling by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. To date, no illnesses related to ... Read More

About a year after popular furniture manufacturer and retailer IKEA recalled nearly 29 million chests and dressers prone to tipping over, the company reported that a 2-year-old boy was crushed to death by an IKEA Malm dresser. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) informed the company of the accident, which occurred in Buena Park, California in May. Toddler Jozef Dudek was put down for a nap by his father, and was later found under the Malm dresser, the family’s attorney said. An investigation indicates the dresser wasn’t properly attached to the wall. In June 2016, IKEA issued a recall ... Read More