DailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comDailyFinance.com%http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/BlogURL%/media/feedlogo.gifDailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Toyota Recalls 550,000 Cars for Steering Issuehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/09/toyota-recalls-550-000-cars-for-steering-issue/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/09/toyota-recalls-550-000-cars-for-steering-issue/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/09/toyota-recalls-550-000-cars-for-steering-issue/#commentsFiled under: ,

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) said Wednesday it is recalling about 550,000 vehicles worldwide - mostly in the United States - for problems that could make it harder to steer.

The recall affects 447,000 vehicles in North America, as well as 38,000 in Japan and another 25,000 in Australia and New Zealand, said Toyota spokesman Dion Corbett. In Europe some 14,000 vehicles are being recalled along with 10,000 in the Middle East and 14,000 in Asia outside Japan.

Toyota has received a total of 79 reports about the defect dating back to 2007, said Corbett. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problems, he said.

Toyota's reputation has taken a hit over the last two years due to a string of huge recalls that have ballooned to 14 million vehicles over that time, including millions recalled last year for acceleration problems. It faces damage lawsuits and lingering doubts in the U.S. about whether it had been transparent enough about the recall woes.

Japan's largest automaker has been trying to communicate better with customers and empower regional operations outside Japan to make safety decisions.

The news comes a day after Toyota said its July-September profit slid 18.5 percent to 80.4 billion yen ($1 billion) on plunging sales caused by parts shortages from the tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan.

It now faces such uncertainties from flooding in Thailand, where it has many suppliers and three assembly plants, that it declined to release an earnings forecast for the full year through March.

The latest recall is due to the possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise or a warning signal to light up, the company's U.S. sales unit said in a press release. If the problem isn't corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley, making it suddenly more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
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In the United States, the automaker is recalling 283,200 Toyota brand cars, including the 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara, the 2004 Avalon and the 2006 Highlander HV. Its recall of 137,000 Lexus vehicles includes the 2004 and 2005 ES330 and RX330 and 2006 RX400h.

Those affected elsewhere include certain models of the Alphard, Highlander, Highlander hybrid and some Lexus models, Corbett said.

The recall notification process varies from country to country.

In the U.S., Toyota will mail owners a notification to make an appointment with an authorized dealer to have their car inspected once replacement parts have been produced in sufficient quantities.

If needed, parts will be replaced for no charge, the company's American sales unit said. Notifications will be mailed starting in January.

In the meantime, if an abnormal noise is heard coming from the engine compartment, the owner is asked to make an appointment with any Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the vehicle inspected for this condition, the release said.

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]]>toyota recallToyotaRecallThe Associated PressWed, 09 Nov 2011 16:31:00 ESTWegmans Recalls Pine Nuts Over Salmonella Concernshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/27/wegmans-recalls-pine-nuts-over-salmonella-concerns/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/27/wegmans-recalls-pine-nuts-over-salmonella-concerns/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/27/wegmans-recalls-pine-nuts-over-salmonella-concerns/#commentsFiled under:

Wegman's recalls pine nuts over salmonella fearsROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Turkish pine nuts sold in bulk at Wegmans, an upscale grocery-store chain, have been linked to a salmonella outbreak that sent two people to hospitals and sickened 40 others in five East Coast states and Arizona.

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. said Thursday it has recalled 5,000 pounds of pine nuts imported from Turkey by Sunrise Commodities of Englewood Cliffs, N.J. They were sold between July 1 and Oct. 18 at its stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland.

The Rochester, N.Y.-based chain said the recall applies only to Turkish pine nuts purchased in bulk. Wegmans placed automated calls to just over 13,000 customers who bought the nuts using the company's Shoppers Club discount card, spokeswoman Jo Natale said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 26 people were sickened in New York, eight in Pennsylvania, four in Virginia, two in New Jersey and one person each in Arizona and Maryland. The Food and Drug Administration said it is investigating.

The CDC said people began getting sick Aug. 20 and two patients were hospitalized in undisclosed locations. No deaths have been linked to the outbreak.

Federal officials said Wegmans has cooperated in all aspects of the recall and investigation.

Salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. In some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.

Some Turkish pine nuts were eaten as an ingredient in prepared foods, such as Caprese salad or asparagus with pine nuts, according to the CDC. The median age of those who were sickened is 43 years.
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Wegmans, a 96-year-old, family owned business credited with helping pioneer "one-stop shopping," has 79 supermarket stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.

The pine nuts were not sold at Wegmans' new store in Northborough, Mass., and possibly other stores with small bulk-food departments, Natale said.

"On average, the quantity purchased by individual customers would have been somewhere between an eighth of a pound and a quarter of a pound," she said. "Not everybody who bought the nuts used a Shoppers Club card, but the vast majority are represented by those 13,000-plus people we called."

Wegmans has carried Turkish pine nuts from the same supplier since May 2010. "We are very sorry for the worry and inconvenience this (recall) may cause our customers," it said in a statement.

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]]>pine nutsPineNutsRecallssalmonellasalmonella outbreakSalmonellaOutbreakTurkish pine nutsTurkishPineNutswegmansThe Associated PressThu, 27 Oct 2011 16:08:00 ESTTotal Recall: Target Children's Frog Mask, More Listeria, Unlabeled Peanutshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/21/total-recall-target-childrens-frog-mask-more-listeria-unlabe/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/21/total-recall-target-childrens-frog-mask-more-listeria-unlabe/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/21/total-recall-target-childrens-frog-mask-more-listeria-unlabe/#commentsFiled under: ,

Target Frog Mask Breathing Problem

Ten days before Halloween, Target (TGT) on Friday recalled thousands of frog-themed masks for children, citing a suffocation risk.

No incidents have been reported, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The 3,400 plush masks, made in China, were sold nationwide between August and September, retailing for $1. The UPC code is 06626491474.

Consumers are asked to return the product to any Target for a refund.

Another Listeria Scare -- Blue Cheese

After blue cheese samples tested positive for listeria, Indiana-based Fair Oaks Royal Blue Cheese issued a recall for products purchased on or after Sept. 25. The blue cheese is labeled "Fair Oaks Royal Blue Cheese" and comes in 1/3-pound and 1/2-pound packages. The packages were sold in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, involving less than 20 pounds of cheese.

The announcement earlier this week comes on the heels of a cantaloupe-transmitted listeria outbreak that has killed 25.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The incubation period for listeria infection can last as long as 70 days. Contact Fair Oaks General Manager Julie Basich at 219-394-2025, ext. 314, for more information.

Peanut Possibility Unmarked in Fiber One Bars

General Mills has recalled a batch of Chocolate flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars because their labels did not indicate the possible presence of sensitive ingredients, including peanuts. No allergic reactions have been reported so far, the FDA wrote on its website Thursday.

All of the affected bars come from 5-count boxes with the "Better if Used By" engraving of 19MAY2012BV. Consumers requesting a replacement or refund should contact General Mills at 1-800-231-0308.

Mini S'Mores Switched With Peanut Clusters

Nassau Candy Distributors has recalled some Nancy Adams Classics Mini S'Mores because peanut clusters had been inadvertently included in the packaging and not labeled. The product was sold nationwide in 5.5-ounce boxes with a manufacturing code of I1119 or I1120 under UPC 6 18645 21923 9.

The FDA said Thursday it has received no word of allergic reactions to the peanuts. Concerned consumers are asked to call Nassau Candy at 1-516-433-7100, ext. 7297 or 7287, during business hours.

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]]>blue cheeseBlueCheesefiber one barFiberOneBarfrog maskFrogMaskGeneral Mills InchalloweenHealthlisteriapeanutsrecallssmoressuffocationU.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionRon DickerFri, 21 Oct 2011 17:30:00 ESTFDA Cites Dirty Equipment in Cantaloupe Outbreakhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/19/fda-cites-dirty-equipment-in-cantaloupe-outbreak/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/19/fda-cites-dirty-equipment-in-cantaloupe-outbreak/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/19/fda-cites-dirty-equipment-in-cantaloupe-outbreak/#commentsFiled under:

FDA traces listeria outbreak to dirty equipment at Colorado farmWASHINGTON -- Pools of water on the floor and old, hard-to-clean equipment at a Colorado farm's cantaloupe packing facility were probably to blame for the deadliest outbreak of foodborne illness in 25 years, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

Government investigators found positive samples of listeria bacteria on equipment in the Jensen Farms packing facility and on fruit that had been held there.

In a six-page assessment of the conditions at the farm based on investigators' visits in late September, the FDA said Jensen Farms had recently purchased used equipment that was corroded, dirty and hard to clean. The packing facility floors were also constructed so they were hard to clean, so pools of water potentially harboring the bacteria formed close to the packing equipment.

The equipment - purchased in July, the same month the outbreak started - was previously used to wash and dry potatoes, the agency said, and the listeria "could have been introduced as a result of past use of the equipment," according to the report.

FDA officials said that they are not concerned about similar listeria contamination in the potatoes that were previously processed on the equipment because those vegetables are rarely eaten raw. Cooking can kill the bacteria.

The agency said the contamination likely happened in the packing house, but the way the cantaloupes were cooled after being picked may have also contributed to listeria growth. The farm did not use a process called "pre-cooling" that is designed to remove some condensation, thus creating moist conditions on the cantaloupe rind that are ideal for listeria bacteria growth. Listeria grows in cool environments, unlike most pathogens.

FDA said that samples of cantaloupes in Jensen Farms' fields were negative for listeria, but bacteria coming off the field may have initially introduced the pathogen into the open-air packing house, where it then spread. Listeria contamination often comes from animal feces or decaying vegetation.

Another possible source of contamination was a truck that frequently hauled cantaloupe to a cattle operation and was parked near the packing house. Contamination could have come from the cattle operation and then tracked into the house by people or equipment, the report said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 123 people have been sickened in the outbreak, including the 25 who died. It is the deadliest known outbreak of foodborne illness in the U.S. since an outbreak of listeria in Mexican-style cheese in 1985.

The tainted fruit, which Jensen Farms recalled in mid-September, should be off store shelves by now. But the number of illnesses may continue to grow - symptoms of listeria can take up to two months to appear. Barbara Mahon of the CDC said that the illnesses peaked from mid-August through September, but that the government would continue to monitor the situation for at least another two weeks.

The CDC on Tuesday confirmed a sixth death in Colorado and a second in New York. Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming have also reported deaths.

FDA officials said Wednesday that the agency has never visited the farm to do an inspection. But that would likely change under a new food safety law signed by President Barack Obama earlier this year that boosts the number of inspections the FDA conducts annually. Currently, the agency may only visit a food facility every five or 10 years, at the most.

FDA officials said they have visited many food facilities over the years and the conditions at Jensen Farms were unique.

"There is no reason to believe these practices are indicative of practices throughout the industry," said Sherri McGarry, a senior officer in FDA's office of foods.

McGarry said the agency has sent the company a warning letter and is still considering what enforcement actions it will take. Officials said the farm had cooperated in all aspects of the recall and investigation.

Messages left for the farm's owners were not immediately returned.

___

Associated Press Writer P. Solomon Banda contributed to this report from Denver.


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]]>cantaloupe listeriacantaloupe recallCantaloupeListeriaCantaloupeRecalllisterialisteria outbreakListeriaOutbreakThe Associated PressWed, 19 Oct 2011 14:49:00 ESTSony Recalls 1.6 Million Bravia LCD TVs Over Fire Riskhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/12/sony-recalls-1-6-million-bravia-lcd-tvs-over-fire-risk/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/12/sony-recalls-1-6-million-bravia-lcd-tvs-over-fire-risk/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/12/sony-recalls-1-6-million-bravia-lcd-tvs-over-fire-risk/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After 11 incidents of Bravia flat-panel TVs melting or catching fire, the televisions are being called back to the shop by Sony (SNE). The third-largest TV maker announced late Tuesday it was recalling 1.6 million of the LCD televisions made since 2007. A malfunctioning transformer in the backlight system is thought to be the source of the overheating problem, Sony said.

The models being recalled are numbered KDL-40D3400, KDL-40D3500, KDL-40D3550, KDL-40D3660, KDL-40V3000, KDL-40W3000, KDL-40X3000, KDL-40X3500, Engadget reported. No burning incidents have been reported outside of Japan, and no one has been hurt, the company said. TV sets in the United States are subject to the recall as well.

Sony will fix the sets for free if a defective part is found, and a service crew could offer a rental while repairs are made, a spokeswoman said in a Bloomberg article, but there will be no refunds or replacement sets.

The electronics giant also experienced trouble in its video game unit on Wednesday, declaring that it had to suspend nearly 100,000 online gaming accounts because its PlayStation Network had been hacked, according to The New York Times. The cyber-attack pales in comparison to an April breach when the accounts of 100 million users were affected.



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]]>BRAVIABravia TV recallBraviaTvRecallFinancefire riskFireRiskLCD televisionLCD TVLcdTvmeltingSci/TechSonyRon DickerWed, 12 Oct 2011 10:25:00 ESTTotal Recall: More Cantaloupe Woes, VW Diesels, IKEA Tents and JCPenney Cribshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/07/total-recall-more-cantaloupe-woes-vw-diesels-ikea-tents-and-j/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/07/total-recall-more-cantaloupe-woes-vw-diesels-ikea-tents-and-j/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/07/total-recall-more-cantaloupe-woes-vw-diesels-ikea-tents-and-j/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cantaloupe Listeria RecallListeria Scare Expands: On Thursday, Fresh Fruit Up Inc. of Depew, N.Y., became the latest company to recall cantaloupes possibly contaminated by listeria, but was acting "out of an abundance of caution," the Food and Drug Administration wrote on its website.

The company recalled 4,800 packages of Fresh Fruit Cantaloupe and Cut Mixed Fruit Containing Cantaloupe. Although the melons originated from the same crop at Jensen Farms in Colorado that has been connected to 18 deaths, the FDA tried to allay fears by touting the packager's use of a potent sanitizing solution. The products in question were sold in the Buffalo, N.Y., area between Aug. 31 and Sept. 11. Initial symptoms from the bacteria take up to 70 days to appear, and include fever and diarrhea. Fresh Fruit Up said it did not hear of possible contamination until Sept. 27. No illnesses have been reported from this particular batch.

The frail, the elderly, and pregnant women and their unborn children are most at risk of serious consequences or even death from listeria. The average age of those who have died during this food-borne outbreak -- the third most fatal since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began keeping records -- is 79. Wyoming has reported a 19th victim, but the CDC had yet to confirm it as of this writing, the IBTimes reported.

The Fresh Fruit Up packages are labeled Cantaloupe Chunks, Cantaloupe Slices, Gourmet Fruit Salad, Small Fruit Salad, Small and Large Fruit Salad with Pineapple, Fruit Salad with Kiwi, and Fruit Trays.

Consumers who purchased the cantaloupe can return it where they bought it for a refund, or destroy it. The company's consumer line is (716) 684-4300.

VW Engine Trouble: A fuel injection system susceptible to fuel leaks has prompted Volkswagen (VLKAY) to recall 168,275 diesel engine cars.

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Affected models are 2009-2012 Jettas, 2010-2012 Golfs and 2010-2012 editions of Volkswagen-owned Audi A3s. The fuel-injection system feeding the 2-liter TDI diesel engines can develop cracks, leaking fuel that could catch fire, the Associated Press reported.

The automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it was not aware of any safety-compromising incidents.

The recall will begin in November. Volkswagen will fix the problems for free.

IKEA Folding Tent Could Cut or Puncture: IKEA urged shoppers to return all BUSA children's folding tents for a full refund because the steel wire frame can break, causing lacerations with its sharp edges.

The tent, which has been available at all IKEA stores since Aug. 1, has caused three known incidents, none serious, the company said on its website. The toll-free info number is (888) 966-4532.

Faulty Drop-Side Rails on J.C. Penney Cribs: A Taiwanese manufacturer has recalled cribs sold at J.C. Penney (JCP) because their drop-side rails can suddenly detach, potentially causing infants to fall or get trapped under the railing. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it was aware of nine incidents involving the cribs, none major.

The Yu-Wei cribs were sold under the Scroll and Lauren brands and have model numbers 343-8225 (sold between 2006 and 2010) and 343-9117 (sold between 2007 and 2010). Around 8,000 cribs are affected.

Consumers are advised to stop using the cribs and contact Yu Wei at (877) 806-8190 or yuweiparts@aol.com for a free immobilizer kit that will stabilize the drop side.

The new ban on the sale of drop-side cribs was not in effect when the cribs were purchased.




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]]>cantaloupeCDCdiesel engineDieselEnginedrop-side cribsDrop-sideCribsFDAfolding tentFoldingTentFood and Drug AdministrationFresh Fruit UpFreshFruitUpfuel leakFuelLeakHealthIKEAlisteriaNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationrecallsVolkswagen AGRon DickerFri, 07 Oct 2011 15:00:00 ESTKraft Recalls Velveeta Shells & Cheesehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/30/kraft-recalls-velveeta-shells-and-cheese/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/30/kraft-recalls-velveeta-shells-and-cheese/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/30/kraft-recalls-velveeta-shells-and-cheese/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kraft Recalls Velveeta Shells & Cheese Over Containation RiskKraft Foods (KFT) is recalling certain batches of Velveeta Shells & Cheese Microwaveable Cups because they might be tainted with wire-bristle pieces, the company announced Friday afternoon.

About 137,000 cases of the potentially affected products were distributed throughout the United States. The company said it has received no reports of injuries or complaints, and that it was voluntarily issuing the recall to be on the safe side.

Consumers who purchased the products stamped with the "best when used by" dates listed here, along with their UPC codes, should return the products to the store for an exchange or full refund. Or they can contact Kraft Foods Consumer Relations Monday through Friday at 1-800-308-1841.

The shipments involve Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Microwaveable Cups, Velveeta Shells & Cheese Made With 2% Milk Microwaveable Cups, and Velveeta Rotini & Cheese Broccoli Microwaveable Cups. The best-if-used-by dates range from March 30, 2012 to May 16, 2012.

The chart below, from Kraft's press release, details the items subject to recall.

Name of Product

Size

Best When Used By Dates

UPC

Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Microwaveable Cups


Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Four Pack Microwaveable Cups

2.39 oz. cup


4 x 2.39 oz. cup

16 MAY 2012


24 APR 2012 to 16 MAY 2012

2100002322


2100002339

Velveeta Shells & Cheese Made with 2% Milk Microwaveable Cups


Velveeta Shells & Cheese Made with 2% Milk Four Pack Microwaveable Cups

2.19 oz cup


4 x 2.19 oz cup

25 MAR 2012 to 30 MAR 2012


29 MAR 2012 to 12 APR 2012

2100002323


2100002946

Velveeta Rotini & Cheese Broccoli Microwaveable Cups

2.44 oz cup

29 APR 2012 to 14 MAY 2012

2100002318





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]]>contaminationFinancefood safetyFoodSafetyHealthkraft foodsKraftFoodsrecallUnited StatesVelveeta Shells Cheese Microwaveable CupsVelveetaShellsCheeseMicrowaveableCupsvoluntary recallVoluntaryRecallwire-bristleRon DickerFri, 30 Sep 2011 14:40:00 ESTCantaloupe Illnesses, Deaths Expected to Risehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/28/cantaloupe-illnesses-deaths-expected-to-rise/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/28/cantaloupe-illnesses-deaths-expected-to-rise/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/28/cantaloupe-illnesses-deaths-expected-to-rise/#commentsFiled under:

Federal health officials said Wednesday more illnesses and possibly more deaths may be linked to an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe in coming weeks.

So far, the outbreak has caused at least 72 illnesses - including up to 16 deaths - in 18 states, making it the deadliest food outbreak in the United States in more than a decade.

The heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said consumers who have cantaloupes produced by Jensen Farms in Colorado should throw them out. If they are not sure where the fruit is from, they shouldn't eat it.

Neither the government nor Jensen Farms has supplied a list of retailers who may have sold the fruit. Officials say consumers should ask retailers about the origins of their cantaloupe. If they still aren't sure, they should get rid of it.

"If it's not Jensen Farms, it's OK to eat," said Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC. "But if you can't confirm it's not Jensen Farms, then it's best to throw it out."

Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo. says it shipped cantaloupes to 25 states, though the FDA has said it may be more, and illnesses have been discovered in several states that were not on the shipping list. A spokeswoman for Jensen Farms said the company's product is often sold and resold, so they do not always know where it went.

The recalled cantaloupes may be labeled "Colorado Grown," ''Distributed by Frontera Produce," ''Jensenfarms.com" or "Sweet Rocky Fords." Not all of the recalled cantaloupes are labeled with a sticker, the FDA said. The company said it shipped out more than 300,000 cases of cantaloupes that contained five to 15 melons, meaning the recall involved 1.5 million to 4.5 million pieces of fruit.

The FDA said the cantaloupes were exported and that the countries involved were notified. But officials declined to say which countries received the melons.

Frieden and FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said that illnesses are expected for weeks to come because the incubation period for listeria can be a month or even longer. That means that someone who ate contaminated cantaloupe last week may not get sick until next month. Jensen Farms last shipped cantaloupes on Sept. 10. The shelf life is about two weeks.

"We will see more cases likely through October," Hamburg said.

The Food and Drug Administration said state health officials found listeria in cantaloupes taken from Colorado grocery stores and from a victim's home that were grown at Jensen Farms. Matching strains of the disease were found on equipment and cantaloupe samples at Jensen Farms' packing facility in Granada, Colo.

Sherri McGarry, a senior adviser in the FDA's Office of Foods, said the agency is looking at the farm's water supply and possible animal intrusions among other things in trying to figure out how the cantaloupes became contaminated. Listeria bacteria grow in moist, muddy conditions and are often carried by animals.

The health officials said this is the first known outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe. Listeria is generally found in processed meats and unpasteurized milk and cheese, though there have been a growing number of outbreaks in produce. Hamburg called the outbreak a "surprise" and said the agencies are studying it closely to find out how it happened.

Cantaloupe is often the source of outbreaks, however. Frieden said CDC had identified 10 other cantaloupe outbreaks in the last decade, most of them from salmonella.

Listeria is more deadly than well-known pathogens like salmonella and E. coli, though those outbreaks generally cause many more illnesses. Twenty-one people died in an outbreak of listeria poisoning in 1998 traced to contaminated hot dogs and possibly deli meats made by Bil Mar Foods, a subsidiary of Sara Lee Corp. Another large listeria outbreak, in 1985, killed 52 people and was linked to Mexican-style soft cheese.

Listeria generally only sickens the elderly, pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems. The CDC said the median age of those sickened is 78 and that 1 in 5 who contract the disease can die from it. Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often with other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Unlike many pathogens, listeria bacteria can grow at room temperatures and even refrigerator temperatures. It is hardy and can linger long after the source of the contamination is gone - health officials say people who may have had the contaminated fruit in their kitchens should clean and sanitize any surfaces it may have touched.

The CDC said Tuesday that 13 deaths are linked to the tainted fruit. State and local officials say they are investigating three additional deaths that may be connected.

The death toll released by the CDC Tuesday surpassed the number of deaths linked to an outbreak of salmonella in peanuts almost three years ago. Nine people died in that outbreak. The CDC reported four deaths in New Mexico, two deaths each in Colorado and Texas and one death each in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Maryland.

New Mexico officials said Tuesday they are investigating a fifth death, while health authorities in Kansas and Wyoming said they too are investigating additional deaths possibly linked to the tainted fruit.

The CDC reported the 72 illnesses and deaths in 18 states. Cases of listeria were reported in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The most illnesses were reported in Colorado, which has seen 15 sickened. Fourteen illnesses were reported in Texas, 10 in New Mexico and eight in Oklahoma.

While most healthy adults can consume listeria with no ill effects, it can kill the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. It is also dangerous to pregnant women because it easily passes through to the fetus. The CDC's Frieden said that two of those sickened were pregnant women but they have since recovered.

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]]>Cantaloupefdafood safetyFoodSafetyjensen farmsJensenFarmslisteriarecallThe Associated PressWed, 28 Sep 2011 19:06:00 ESTCargill Recalls 185,000 Pounds of Turkeyhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/12/cargill-recalls-185-000-pounds-of-turkey/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/12/cargill-recalls-185-000-pounds-of-turkey/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/12/cargill-recalls-185-000-pounds-of-turkey/#commentsFiled under:

Meat giant Cargill has issued a new recall that affects 185,000 pounds of ground turkey. Sunday's announcement said that the recall included "85-percent-lean fresh ground turkey products produced at the company's Springdale, Ark., facility on Aug. 23, 24, 30 and 31, 2011, due to possible contamination from Salmonella Heidelberg." The firm posted a list of the problem products on its website.

The new recall follows another issued in early August, affecting 26 million pounds of ground turkey that made dozens sick and may have killed one person. The new recall may be smaller, but it is a sign that the huge agribusiness firm is still struggling with quality control.

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Recalls have become a significant problem between the federal government and food companies recently. Del Monte sued the FDA on August 22, saying that it would "seek an injunction that would lift an FDA rule restricting the importation of wholesome fresh cantaloupes into the United States." The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

There have been concerns that the FDA cannot afford do its job as it tries to police the food supply. The Senate recently approved a bill to add $50 million to the agency's budget. But, the House has pressed for legislation that would cut some food safety funds. House Republicans said that the "U.S. food supply is 99 percent safe," according to The Washington Post. Part of the 1% that is left must include huge recalls from Cargill.

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]]>Cargillground turkeyGroundTurkeysalmonellaturkey recallTurkeyRecallDouglas McIntyreMon, 12 Sep 2011 07:30:00 ESTTotal Recall: Dangerous Dolls, Eye-Popping Exercise Bands, Risky Off-Road Bikeshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/09/recalls-dangerous-dolls-exercise-bands-motorcycles/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/09/recalls-dangerous-dolls-exercise-bands-motorcycles/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/09/recalls-dangerous-dolls-exercise-bands-motorcycles/#commentsFiled under: ,

With companies announcing a seemingly constant stream of new recalls, it can be a challenge for consumers to keep track of the latest products and food getting pulled off the shelves. To make life easier, DailyFinance will now collect them all in one place for you to check each week.

This is Total Recall.

Pottery Barn doll recallBeware Soft Dolls with Looped Hair

On Thursday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced a voluntary recall by Pottery Barn Kids, a division of Williams-Sonoma (WSM), of 84,300 soft dolls named Chloe, Sophie and Audrey -- 81,000 sold in the U.S. and 1,300 in Canada -- because of a strangulation hazard. According to the USPSC, "The hair on the Chloe and Sophie dolls may contain loops that are large enough to fit around a child's head and neck, and the headband on the Audrey doll, if loosened, can form a loop that fits around" the same. Pottery Barn has received five reports of dolls with looped hair, "including one report in which a loop of the Chloe doll's hair was found around the neck of a 21-month old child. The child was not injured."

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The dolls, part of Pottery Barn Kids' Doll Collection, are approximately 17 inches high, and the offending hair is made of yarn -- Audrey's black, Chloe's dark brown, and Sophie's blonde. (The names are sewn onto the bottoms of the dolls.) Manufactured in China, they were sold exclusively at Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide, online at potterybarnkids.com and through Pottery Barn Kids catalogs from July 2006 to April 2011, for around $40. Consumers are advised to take the dolls away from children immediately and "cut the looped hair of the Chloe and Sophie dolls and remove the headband of the Audrey doll to eliminate the hazard." A merchandise credit is also available for those who wish to return their dolls; for instructions, contact Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (855) 880-4505 between 4 a.m. and 9 p.m. PST, seven days a week, or online at www.potterybarnkids.com.

Exercise Extreme Caution Before "Embark"ing

Also on Thursday, Target (TGT) said it would voluntarily recall 447,000 Embark Resistance Cords and Cord Kits due to an injury hazard posed by a black plastic ball attached to the resistance cord's door anchor. The ball can unexpectedly release and strike the user; three consumers have reported such incidents, two of them resulting in permanent vision loss. ("The severity of the injury in the third incident is unknown," reports CSPS.)

The resistance bands in question are made of green, blue or black rubber with black foam handles and a door attachment, with "Embark" printed on either a black strap attached to the foam handle or on the middle of the rubber cord itself. They were manufactured in China and sold at Target stores nationwide as well as online at Target.com from July 2009 through August 2011, for between $10 and $20. Consumers should stop using the cords immediately and contact the company for repair instructions.


Motorbikes May Go Too Far Off-Road

Finally, on Thursday KTM North America announced a recall of around 6,117 off-road motorcycles due to a fall or crash hazard (which, you would think, sort of comes with the territory). All KTM model year 2011 off-road/competition motorcycles are involved in the recall; according to CPSC, the bike's "handlebar clamp can develop cracks during normal use causing the handlebars to move from their set position. This can result in the rider losing control of the vehicle, posing a fall or crash hazard." And indeed the company has gotten a report of one incident in which a rider was hospitalized due to injuries received in a crash caused by handlebar clamp-cracking. Also affected are 2011 Husaberg off-road/competition motorcycles, which are blue, yellow and white in color and carry the model name and Husaberg logo on their right and left shrouds.

The bikes -- which were manufactured not in China, for a change, but in Austria -- were sold at authorized KTM and Husaberg dealers nationwide from April 2010 through May 2011; they retailed for between $6,200 and $9,500. Customers should stop using the cycles in question and contact their dealers about scheduling a free repair. Find a dealer online at www.ktm.com or www.husaberg.com, or call KTM North America customer relations at (888) 985-6090 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday to Friday.


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]]>embark resistance cordsEmbarkResistanceCordsktmKTM recallKtmRecallpottery barn kidspottery barn recallPotteryBarnKidsPotteryBarnRecallrecallsrecalls and safetyrecallsandsafetyTarget recallTargetRecallwilliams-sonomaEamon MurphyFri, 09 Sep 2011 17:10:00 ESTTotal Recall: Porsches, Martha Stewart Casserole Dishes, Morehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/19/total-recall-porsches-martha-stewart-casserole-dishes-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/19/total-recall-porsches-martha-stewart-casserole-dishes-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/19/total-recall-porsches-martha-stewart-casserole-dishes-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With companies announcing a seemingly constant stream of new recalls, it can be a challenge for consumers to keep track of the latest products and food getting pulled off the shelves. To make life easier, DailyFinance will now collect them all in one place for you to check each week.

This is Total Recall.

That's What You Get for Having Fancy Electronic Rotating Seat Belts

An alert for the high rollers: On Friday, Porsche announced a recall of numerous model year cars because of a possible seat belt problem. Potentially affected vehicles include the 2012 911 Carrera, 2012 Boxster S and Boxster Spyder, 2011 911 Speedster, and 2012 Cayman.

Porsche's announcement explains that the mounting holes in the seat belt anchor plate might be too small; if so, the anchor plate could be unable to rotate about the fastening bolt, leaving the occupant insufficiently restrained in the event of a collision. Dealers will inspect anchor plates and fastening screws, and replace seat belts if necessary. For a full list of affected models, click here.


Some Consumers Unlucky to Be Martha Stewart Living

Also on Thursday, the CPSC announced that Macy's (M) would voluntarily recall 960,000 Martha Stewart Collection[TM] casserole dishes because of a laceration and burn hazard. Apparently, the enamel coating on the cast iron casseroles can crack or break during use, potentially causing the enamel to crack and fly off as a projectile. Two consumers have reported such harrowing incidents, although fortunately no one was injured in either.

The offending dishes come in 7, 5.5, and 2.75 quart sizes, and with exterior finishes of red, cobalt blue, sand, green, blue, white, mustard, brown and teal. They were sold at Macy's stores nationwide, and on macys.com, between June 2007 and June 2011 for $25 to $170. Like the Office Depot chairs, the casseroles were made in China (although the latter sound actually quite dangerous).

Customers are advised to return their dishes to Macy's for a full refund. The department store can be telephoned toll-free at (888) 257-5949.


Chair Bites Man

On Thursday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced that Office Depot (ODP) will recall 34,000 desk chairs due to a "pinch hazard," discovered after one (1) man got his finger caught in an opening in the chair's tilt mechanism. The products in question, Realspace[TM] PRO 3000 Series Custom Fit desk chairs, were made in China by Huichang Furniture Co. Ltd. between March 2009 and May 2011; the manufacture date is printed in year/month/day format on a label affixed to the underside of the seat.

Consumers can contact Office Depot's recall hotline to request a complimentary repair kit which will cover the tilt mechanism's offending opening. The telephone number is (855) 259-5093. Photographs and more identifying details of the chairs can be found here.


Phil&teds Bogus Recall

In significantly more horrifying chair-related recall news, New Zealand-based stroller and baby paraphernalia manufacturer phil&teds recalled 54,000 clip-on chairs whose missing or worn vice clamp pads allowed them in some cases to detach from tabletops, potentially falling to the ground or crushing children's fingers. The CPSC issued a product safety alert about the Metoo Clip-on Chair on May 6, but phil&teds refused to cooperate in a nationwide recall on the agency's terms. The company finally came around by Wednesday.

Nineteen reports of chair-failure have been received, including five injuries ("crushed, lacerated, pinched or amputated" fingers). All Metoo Clip-on Chairs are implicated except those with black plastic spacers between the cross bar and the clamps. Consumers who purchased the chairs, which have been sold in stores and online since May 2006 for around $50, should stop using them and contact phil&teds for a free repair kit with instructions. Do this also if you received from the company a pair of rubber boots as a repair kit the first time you complained, which apparently happened to some people.

Consumers with questions -- such as "why did you initially refuse to cooperate in this recall when children's fingers were at stake, and why did you at first send a pair of rubber boots in lieu of a repair kit?" -- can call phil&teds USA at (855) 652-9019.

Because of Winn-Dixie, Individuals With Celiac Disease May Be at Risk

Also on Wednesday, southern grocer Winn-Dixie Stores (WINN) voluntarily recalled its "Winn-Dixie Choco Charm Chocolate Drink," sold at its in-store dairy departments, "because the product may be mislabeled and may contain the undeclared allergen of wheat," according to the Food and Drug Administration. The drink was sold in a one gallon clear plastic bottle with a yellow top, at Winn-Dixie and SaveRite stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

No reports of illness have been received. Wheat-protein can cause a moderate-acute allergic reaction in sensitive people; those who suffer from full-blown celiac disease can in some cases die from ingesting gluten.

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]]>martha stewart casserole dishesMarthaStewartCasseroleDishesoffice depot chairsOfficeDepotChairsporsche seatbellPorscheSeatbellrecallEamon MurphyFri, 19 Aug 2011 16:30:00 ESTMajor Grocery Chains Recall Tainted Ground Beefhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/15/major-grocery-chains-recall-tainted-ground-beef/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/15/major-grocery-chains-recall-tainted-ground-beef/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/15/major-grocery-chains-recall-tainted-ground-beef/#commentsFiled under:

At least three major grocery store chains are recalling certain packages of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination.

The recalls at Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Publix Super Markets Inc. and Kroger Co. mainly in the southeastern U.S. stem from meat from National Beef Packaging Co. of Dodge City, Kan.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that National Beef was recalling more than 60,000 pounds of beef after the Ohio Department of Agriculture found the bacteria.

The recalls affect products sold mainly in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee, but the meat could have been distributed nationwide.

The agriculture department says there have been no reports of illnesses. The company says it's investigating.

E. coli can be deadly and can cause bloody diarrhea and other problems.

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]]>The Associated PressMon, 15 Aug 2011 07:24:00 ESTTotal Recall: Honda Stalls, Chrysler Needs a Cushion, Tainted Turkey, Morehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/05/total-recall-honda-cars-chrysler-minivans-tainted-turkey-and/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/05/total-recall-honda-cars-chrysler-minivans-tainted-turkey-and/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/05/total-recall-honda-cars-chrysler-minivans-tainted-turkey-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

With companies announcing a seemingly constant stream of new recalls, it can be a challenge for consumers to keep track of the latest products and food getting pulled off the shelves. To make life easier, DailyFinance will now collect them all in one place for you to check each week.

This is Total Recall.

Shifting Gears, By Accident

Honda Motor (HMC) announced Friday that it will recall a total of 2.26 million vehicles in the U.S and China because of a defect in automatic transmissions. The models involved include the 2005-2010 Accord, the 2007-2010 CR-V and 2005-2008 Element.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the defective transmissions could cause vehicles to roll "after the driver has placed the gear in the park position" and to stall unexpectedly due to a short circuit. Honda says no one has been injured or killed in the U.S. because of these problems, but NHTSA sensibly warns of "the risk of a crash or personal injury to persons within the path of a rolling vehicle."

The Wall Street Journal notes that the "number of vehicles to be recalled in the world's two biggest car markets is equal to 63% of the 3.56 million vehicles that [Honda] sold last year worldwide."

Chrysler's Recall-Recall

Chrysler has recalled more than 367,000 Dodge and Chrysler minivans -- including the 2008 Town and Country, Voyager and Caravan models -- because of a leak in the air conditioning and heating system that could cause air bags to "deploy unexpectedly and without warning."

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This is the second recall of Chrysler minivans for the same problem, with the first having been announced in January. Back then, according to USA Today, dealers fixed the leak by replacing a grommet. But the problem didn't end there: "Chrysler says its engineers have determined that the moisture may have damaged the chip circuit boards in the repaired vans and compromised their performance, so it's recalling them again to inspect and possibly replace them," the paper reports.

The dangers of faulty airbags include "aggressive deployment," in which the safety feature fires at the right time (i.e., during an accident or collision), but with excessive force, injuring instead of shielding the occupant.

DuPont's Imprelis Imperils the Trees

Colossal chemical company DuPont (DD) said Thursday that it plans to stop selling and recall its widely used (and bizarrely named) herbicide Imprelis, "after customers and several lawsuits complained that the treatment has killed thousands of trees," Reuters reports.

Imprelis, touted by DuPont as "the most scientifically advanced turf herbicide in over 40 years," is intended for professional use, to target broadleaf weeds in turf. Apparently -- and shockingly, for an herbicide -- it's also deleterious to evergreen trees, such as the white pine and the spruce, whose presence is presumably desired for landscaping purposes.

In a statement, DuPont said it was working with the Environmental Protection Agency to determine "the most effective way to implement" a product recall and return program. If you sense the hint of duress in the company's desperate tone, you're probably right: The EPA is reportedly preparing a "stop sale" order.

DuPont says Imprelis went through more than 400 trials before it was approved for use in all states except New York and California, those bastions of wisdom (regulation-wise, at least).

Just Please Don't Lick-A-Pin

Build-A-Bear Workshop (BBW) is recalling 28,700 lapel pins labeled "Love.Hugs.Peace" because of unsafe levels of lead in their surface paint. According to STLtoday, the company was first alerted to the problem in 2010 by the Center for Environmental Health, a California consumer advocacy group, which found 10 times the federal limit for lead in children's toys when it tested the pins.

In May of that year, Build-A-Bear defended itself to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, saying the pin had passed "rigorous testing." The company finally reversed itself Thursday, issuing a voluntary recall and accompanying statement asserting "that this situation is an isolated occurrence."

The pins, which were manufactured in China, retailed for $3.50. Customers can return their pins to any Build-A-Bear Workshop for a $5 store coupon. The usefulness of a $5 refund in cases of childhood lead exposure is unclear. Consumers can call 868-236-5683 for more information.

Target's Collapsing Novelty Stools

Also on Thursday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions announced that Target (TGT) has issued a recall for 206,000 wooden step stools sold at its stores across the country -- and online -- between January 2007 and October 2010. The company has received 26 reports of stools breaking or collapsing, causing injuries including fractures to wrists, a hip and a pelvis.

Fourteen of the reported incidents involved children, and seven involved adults, according to the CPSC. (Five reports did not specify the age of the injured consumers.) The two-step stools, priced between $25 and $30, were sold under the Circo and Do Your Room (DTR) brands and came in various colors, including natural, red, white and honey.

Full refunds are available for customers who return their stools to any Target store. For more information, call Target's toll-free phone line, 800-440-0680, or visit its website.

Tainted Turkey

On Wednesday, Cargill Value Added Meats Retail, a division of Cargill Meats Solutions Corp., recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey due to potential contamination by a multiple drug-resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg. This is the third-largest food recall in U.S. history, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The outbreak of salmonellosis, traced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to a Cargill plant in Springdale, Arkansas, has killed one person in California and sickened 78 others across 26 states. According to a Patch.com website in Pennsylvania, "The recall covers ground turkey sold under the Honeysuckle, Riverside, Natural Lean and numerous other labels and bears the notation 'P-964' inside the USDA inspection marking, the USDA said."

What's funny -- not in the sense of being humorous, but rather strange and unnerving -- is that the inquiry into this outbreak dates back to late March, "when CDC officials noticed an unusually high rate of hospitalizations related to salmonella," according to the Alaska Dispatch. But the Food and Safety Inspection Service only issued a public alert about the pathogen on July 29.

Apparently, there's an involved investigation process which has to be painstakingly followed before a particular business is identified with an outbreak. Which is great from the perspective of protecting businesses, but less so from a consumer safety standpoint.

Asked about the delay, a CDC official explained, "We needed to ensure that everything had lined up in a way that we were convinced." From the Dispatch:
When the FDA went ahead and contracted Cargill last week, it met with the company's legal representatives to inform them of their findings. A second meeting took place Wednesday with Cargill's corporate management. That resulted in the voluntary recall later in the day...
So while the CDC was going out of its way to ensure that Cargill could avoid negative publicity, if at all possible, and while Cargill was using what is presumably a high-powered legal team to protect itself to the maximum allowable extent, unknowing consumers continued to purchase potentially tainted meat.

How many people got sick while these various government agencies were handling Cargill with kid gloves?


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]]>Build-A-Bearbuild-a-bear workshopBuild-a-bearWorkshopCargillRecallchryslerChrysler RecallChryslerRecallDupontdupont recallDupontRecallground turkeyground turkey recallGroundTurkeyGroundTurkeyRecallhondahonda recallHondaRecallImprelisRecallssalmonellasalmonella outbreakSalmonellaOutbreakSalmonellaPoisoningstool recallStoolRecalltainted meattainted turkeyTaintedMeatTaintedTurkeyTargetTarget Corp.Target recalltarget stool recallTarget StoresTargetCorp.TargetRecallTargetStoolRecallTargetStorestotal recallTotalRecallturkeyturkey recallTurkeyRecallturkeysEamon MurphyFri, 05 Aug 2011 17:30:00 ESTFord to Recall 1.1M Pickup for Gas Tank Problemhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/01/ford-to-recall-1-1m-pickup-for-gas-tank-problem/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/01/ford-to-recall-1-1m-pickup-for-gas-tank-problem/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/01/ford-to-recall-1-1m-pickup-for-gas-tank-problem/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford recallFord Motor Co. (F) says it is recalling 1.1 million pickup trucks because the gas tanks can fall off and cause a fire.

The company is recalling certain Ford F-150, F-250 and Lincoln Blackwood pickups. The recall affects certain models from the 1997 model year through the 2004 model year. They were sold in cold-weather states where salt is used to clear roads. That salt can corrode straps holding the tanks in place.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday on its website that the straps holding up the tanks can rust, causing them to fall to the ground. The tanks can rupture and cause a fire.

Ford reported eight incidents of the tanks falling, resulting in three injuries.

Ford's F-Series pickup traditionally is the top-selling vehicle in the U.S.


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]]>Ford Motor Companyford pickupford pickupsford recallford recallsFordMotorCompanyFordPickupFordPickupsFordRecallFordRecallsThe Associated PressMon, 01 Aug 2011 15:35:00 ESTRecall Roundup: Fisher-Price Wagons, Beef, Strollers and Morehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/29/recall-roundup-fisher-price-wagons-beef-strollers-and-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/29/recall-roundup-fisher-price-wagons-beef-strollers-and-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/29/recall-roundup-fisher-price-wagons-beef-strollers-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Keeping track of the latest product and food recalls can be a challenge for any consumer, so Consumer Ally has collected them all in one place for you to check each week.

Here is this week's roundup:

  • Fisher-Price recalls 210,800 Little People Builders' Load 'n Go Wagons in the United States and Canada after seven children have been hurt, including five who needed stitches after falling on a rigid, molded plastic wagon handle, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission said. Included in the recall is the wagon with the model number P8977, which can be found on the bottom of the wagon. Consumers should take the wagon away from children and call Fisher-Price for a repair kit at (800) 432-5437 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST.

Continue reading Recall Roundup: Fisher-Price Wagons, Beef, Strollers and More


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]]>ConsumerAllycpscfdafisher-priceHoneywellinthenewskohlerpapayaRecallsrossstarbucksUSDAwalmartLinda DoellFri, 29 Jul 2011 17:30:00 ESTWalmart Warns Shoppers of Recalled Papayashttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/25/walmart-warns-shoppers-of-recalled-papayas/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/25/walmart-warns-shoppers-of-recalled-papayas/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/25/walmart-warns-shoppers-of-recalled-papayas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PapaysWalmart recently warned its shoppers about papayas sold in its stores after the fresh fruit was possibly linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 97 people in 23 states and is currently under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Walmart posted the recall from distributor Agromod Produce Inc. on its website, noting that the fruit had been sold in its stores.

Agromod recalled all of its fresh, whole papayas sold before Saturday (July 23) in stores nationwide and in Canada because they could be contaminated with salmonella, the FDA said. Salmonella can cause a potentially life-threatening infection in young children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Even healthy people can suffer from fever, nausea and diarrhea.

Continue reading Walmart Warns Shoppers of Recalled Papayas


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]]>cantaloupeConsumerAllyfdafoodhealthinthenewspapayasrecallsalmonellawalmartLinda DoellMon, 25 Jul 2011 16:00:00 ESTRecall Roundup: Pressure Washer Attachment, Fruit Pies and Morehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/22/recall-roundup-pressure-washer-attachment-fruit-pies-and-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/22/recall-roundup-pressure-washer-attachment-fruit-pies-and-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/22/recall-roundup-pressure-washer-attachment-fruit-pies-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Recalled productsKeeping track of the latest product and food recalls can be a challenge for any consumer, so Consumer Ally has collected them all in one place for you to check each week.

Here is this week's roundup:
  • Homelite Consumer Products Inc. recalled 41,200 pressure washer attachments sold exclusively at Home Depot stores nationwide and in Canada because the nozzle and spray bar can break and hit consumers. said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The company has received nine reports of incidents, including one consumer who was cut and three reports of minor property damage. The CPSC lists the model numbers affected by the recall. The units were sold from February 2010 through June 2011 for about $70 as an attachment and for about $450 when sold with a pressure washer. Consumers should call Homelite at (800) 867-9624 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST for a replacement.

Continue reading Recall Roundup: Pressure Washer Attachment, Fruit Pies and More


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]]>ConsumerAllycpscfdafordFord RangerHome DepotPilgrims PriderecallTargetUSDAwhole foodsWholeFoodsMarketLinda DoellFri, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 ESTFord Recalls 26,715 Ranger Trucks Over Light Issuehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/21/ford-recalls-26-715-ranger-trucks-over-light-issue/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/21/ford-recalls-26-715-ranger-trucks-over-light-issue/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/21/ford-recalls-26-715-ranger-trucks-over-light-issue/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford RangerFord Motor Co. recalled 26,715 Ranger pickup trucks built this year at the Twin Cities Assembly Plant because the tail lights might not turn on, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The problem involves a plastic slider on a multifunction switch that can warp, making it impossible for the switch to turn on the truck's turn signals, tail lights, hazard warning flashers or brake lights, which could increase the risk of a crash, the NHTSA said.

In a letter to the NHTSA, Ford said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries as of July 5 that were connected to the recalled part.

Continue reading Ford Recalls 26,715 Ranger Trucks Over Light Issue


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]]>ConsumerAllyf-150fordFord RangerinthenewsNHTSARecallsLinda DoellThu, 21 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST