I will not be responding to any comments posted at this site.  All comments must be posted at the new location.

I hope to see you there.  Thanks!

~Sandy G.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Buster Brown Clog Children’s Shoes

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Canisol, Danfoss, Elektra, Momento, OJ Microline, Raychem, Thermosoft, Warmly Yours, Warmup Thermostats

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

By Jeremy Kirk, ComputerWorld

The first worm that spreads between mobile devices by spamming text messages has developed a new communications capability that one security vendor says signals the arrival of mobile botnets.

Trend Micro has analyzed a piece of mobile malware known as “Sexy Space,” which is a variant of another piece of mobile malware called Sexy View, which targets devices running the Symbian S60 OS.

Sexy View, which was detected by vendors such as F-Secure six months ago, is significant because it is the first known malware sample that spreads by SMS (Short Message Service). It appeared initially in China.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Luv N’ Care Ltd. of Monroe, La., is initiating a nationwide recall of gel-filled teethers with the brand names “Nuby,” “Cottontails” and “Playschool,” because the liquid inside the gel-filled teethers has been found to contain Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans bacteria in the gel.

Although these bacteria generally do not cause illness in adults, infants and children with weakened immune systems can experience stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and uncommonly more serious disease, if the teether becomes punctured and they ingest the liquid gel.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

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Hobby Lobby Recalls Leather Butterfly Chairs

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Chandra Recalls Art Collection Leather Shag Rugs

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Children’s Hooded Jackets Sold at Meijers Recalled

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

I wish to get advice from you. Their is a webhosting company in Bangalore India named manashosting.com.
This company had looted me and involved in crime. How could I report this company to every body.

I just scanned the web and found various issues reported earlier you can also check them here –

http://www.mouthshut.com/product-reviews/Manashosting.com-925102697.html
http://www.consumercourt.in/hosting/5355-manashosting.html
http://consumer.admanya.com/reviews_ManasHosting_Web_Hosting-1189-0.html
http://sachinkraj.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/manashosting-the-worst-decision/

Now could you please help me fight this Fraud company. Kindly publish the post and make your users aware that this company is fake.

The question why I am doing this because i had been cheated by this company and I don’t want any body else should be cheated.  Although I am taking serious action against the cheater company as they taken money and not renewed my domains.  I looses my business due to their cheating.

I had also reported to their registrar and also going to report ICANN and other international organizations regarding the subject.   Kindly Help me.

Victime of Manashosting Fraud.

~Sandy G.

***Edited to add note to person that left this comment:  I have tried to reach you, but the email was returned undeliverable.  Take care and please keep me posted on this situation.

By NATASHA SINGER, The New York Times

“Don’t forget to check your neck,” says an advertising campaign encouraging people to visit doctors for exams to detect thyroid cancer.

In another cancer awareness effort, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, has more than 350 House co-sponsors for her bill to promote the early detection of breast cancer in young women, teaching them about screening methods like self-exams and genetic testing.

Meanwhile, the foundation of the American Urological Association has a prostate cancer awareness campaign starring Hall of Fame football players. “Get screened,” Len Dawson, a former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, says in a public service television spot. “Don’t let prostate cancer take you out of the game.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Thane International is recalling about 580,000 H20 mop steam cleaners. The power cord can unexpectedly wear down and expose the wiring, posing a shock and burn hazard to consumers.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

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Brookstone Pharmaceuticals Recalls Concentrated Acetaminophen Drops

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Energizer Wallplate Nightlights Recalled

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Rossignol Recalls Cross-Country Boots

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Hard Tail Recalls Girls’ Jackets, Sweats

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C-Mrk Recalls Ocean Current Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts

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Aqua-Leisure Industries Recalls Inflatable Baby Floats

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Simplicity Drop Side Cribs Recalled

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

Offers new approach to treatment

From ConsumerAffairs.com

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Alimta (pemetrexed), the first drug available for maintenance therapy of advanced or metastatic lung cancer.

Patients with cancer often receive maintenance therapy to prevent the disease from progressing after their tumor has shrunk or the disease has stabilized in response to chemotherapy.   Alimta disrupts metabolic processes that are dependent on the B-vitamin folate, a necessary ingredient for cell reproduction.

“This drug represents a new approach in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director, Office of Oncology Drug Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.  “Typically, patients whose tumors respond to chemotherapy do not receive further treatment after four-to-six chemotherapy cycles.   This study demonstrates an advantage in overall survival in certain patients who received Alimta for maintenance therapy.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

DesignWare Sport Balls Recalled

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Copco Harmony Tea Kettles Recalled

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~Sandy G.

Data finds links to fatal overdoses; agency orders new safety study

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Perhaps partly satisfying its critics, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is taking several actions to reduce the risk of overdose in patients using pain medications such as Darvon and Darvocet that contain propoxyphene. The agency said the actions were taken because of data linking propoxyphene and fatal overdoses.

The consumer group Public Citizen has been calling on the FDA to ban Darvon altogether, saying that the “old pain killer is a plain old killer.”

Instead, the agency is requiring manufacturers of propoxyphene-containing products to strengthen the label, including the boxed warning, emphasizing the potential for overdose when using these products. These manufacturers will also be required to provide a medication guide to patients stressing the importance of using the drugs as directed.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Kolcraft Recalls 1 Million Play Yards

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Dragonfly II Mosquito Traps, NightWatch Bedbug Monitors Recalled

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Jaloma Pacifiers Recalled

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Charles David Recalls Shoes Sold at Nordstrom

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~Sandy G.

From Kim Komando at Komando.com

Linda wrote in from Rogers, AR. She catches my show on KFAY 1030 AM. She is looking for some ways to make money at home. She’s heard quite a bit about the Google Home Business Kit. She would like more information, along with my opinion of it.

Google has a lot of cool services, Linda. But it doesn’t offer a work-from-home kit. The sites promoting these kits simply capitalize on Google’s name. That should be your first clue that something is wrong. The sites are full of unsubstantiated claims. They don’t say what’s in the kit. Nor do they tell you what type of work you would be doing. That is another hallmark of a scam.

I have a pretty good idea of what’s in the kit. It will help you set up a site to sell the kit to more people. You may pay $30 for the kit. Or, you may only pay a few dollars for shipping and handling. Either way, you’re enrolled in a monthly subscription. Good luck trying to cancel that!

I would stay away from this one. There are much better ways to make money from home.

Want to work from home? Start a blog or open an online store. Or, there are sites where you can sell your photos, crafts and music. Visit my Money Center to get started.

This isn’t the only online scam going, of course. I have some great tips that will protect you from other scams:

• Watch out for sweetheart scams
• Avoiding the latest threats and scams
• Give to a charity, not a scammer

For more great tips and information, please visit Komando.com

***Please note:  I am not affiliated with Kim Komando or Komando.com in any way, nor am I receiving any compensation for this post.

~Sandy G.

Knife blade found in energy drink

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use Hardcore Energize Bullet or New Whey liquid products sold in test tube-like vials.

The agency suspects product tampering and the products are being recalled.

The suspected tampering involved a utility knife blade found in one vial of Hardcore Energize Bullet drink, manufactured in the United States and sold in Canada. Another blade was discovered in one vial of New Whey liquid products, manufactured and sold in the United States. No one is known to have been hurt.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

No recalls despite numerous complaints about Power Sentry

By Lisa Wade McCormick, ConsumerAffairs.com

A product designed to protect electronic devices from dangerous spikes in electricity may have contributed to a handful of fires nationwide that damaged homes and office equipment. Consumers also blame the product’s failure for frying their computers and other expensive electronics.

ConsumerAffairs.com uncovered these potential hazards during a review of complaints from homeowners across the country.

The product at the heart of these complaints is the Power Sentry Surge Protector. Since 2003, ConsumerAffairs.com has heard repeated safety concerns about this brand of surge protectors.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

~Sandy G.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

Sandy G.

Financial data is easy target for scammers

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Scammers often target job-seekers because they are usually very likely to provide requested information. But law enforcement officials are warning job applicants about a recent scam in which criminals posing as employers ask for copies of their personal credit reports.

“Credit reports contain a wealth of background information about consumers, including social security numbers, summaries of bank and credit card accounts, employment history, current and previous addresses and other details that are extremely valuable to con artists,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett. “Falling for Internet job schemes can be a double threat — leaving victims unemployed and struggling to untangle a web of financial problems caused by identity theft.”

“Corbett noted that con artists are using Internet postings and email messages to circulate ads for high paying part-time work as personal assistants, check processors and a variety of other work-at-home positions.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

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Firestone Recalls FR380 Tires

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~Sandy G.

Lawsuit alleges expensive test not foolproof after all

By Jon Hood, ConsumerAffairs.com

A group of New York mothers is suing the manufacturer of an “infallibly accurate” fetus gender test, claiming that the product doesn’t live up to its hype.

The Baby Gender Mentor is advertised as giving “99.9% accurate” results as early as five weeks into a mother’s pregnancy.

According to the lawsuit, Acu-Gen Biolab, which manufactures the kit, referred to it in ads as “the gold standard for prenatal gender detection.” A website devoted to the test, www.babygendermentor.com, claims that the “early prenatal gender detection test is based on established qPCR technology that, when properly administered by a qualified laboratory, has been proven highly accurate in detecting targeted DNA markers.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Blue Cross ordered to pay for proven therapy

By Jon Hood, ConsumerAffairs.com

Blue Cross has settled a lawsuit brought by parents of children with autism, reimbursing them for the costs of therapy they had to pay out of their own pockets.

The suit, filed in Detroit, alleged that Blue Cross refused to pay for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy for autistic children on the grounds that it was “experimental.”

Blue Cross policies exclude experimental therapies for a variety of conditions. The plaintiffs in the current suit, Johns v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, argued that characterizing ABA as experimental was arbitrary, capricious, and possibly even illegal.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Many suspect agency investigating NUTRO as well

By Lisa Wade McCormick, ConsumerAffairs.com

Pet owners who were informed of the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) suspension of Evanger’s ability to sell pet food across state lines were relieved — and unsurprised — by the news.

News of the FDA’s crackdown confirmed dog owner Leslie K.’s suspicions about Evanger’s food — and federal authorities’ interest in the company.

“A special agent with the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) called me in May 2009 and wanted details of what happened to my dogs after they ate Evanger’s food,” the Tabernacle, New Jersey, woman told us. “He came out and said Evanger’s failed multiple inspections, and this was not a simple paperwork issue or something to do with an unimportant process. He said it was about ingredients and the manufacturing process and people are not getting what they pay for.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

During difficult economic times, the cost of higher education leaves many students wondering if they can afford to go to college. For those who want to avoid being saddled with huge loans, the U.S. government offers one of the best deals around: Enroll at one of the five service academies tuition-free and receive free room and board. (And you thought the Grand Slam promotion at Denny’s was cool.) But if military service isn’t for you, here are eight other schools that offer tuition-free educations:

1. College of the Ozarks

 

Several schools share the “Linebacker U” and “Quarterback U” monikers in reference to the NFL talent that their college football programs produce, but the only “Hard Work U” is located in Point Lookout, Missouri. In 1973, a Wall Street Journal reporter bestowed that title on the College of the Ozarks, where students pay no tuition and work at least 15 hours a week at a campus work station. Jobs are taken seriously at the school of 1,400; students are graded on their work performance in addition to their academics.

2. Deep Springs College

 

Deep Springs is a two-year, all-male liberal arts college located on a cattle ranch and alfalfa farm in the Inyo-White Mountains of California’s High Desert. To get an idea of just how isolated the school is, consider the explanation for its policy forbidding smoking in any of the school’s buildings or near hay bales: “We’re 45 minutes from the nearest emergency services, so a fire could be disastrous.” Every student admitted – 10 to 15 per year – receives free tuition, room, and board, and works at least 20 hours a week on the ranch. The manual labor ranges from washing dishes to milking cows. Most students complete their degrees at prestigious four-year schools after leaving Deep Springs.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

By Matt Soniak, Mental_Floss.com

Have you ever wondered why that bottle of Poland Spring has a “drink by” date on it when common sense dictates that water doesn’t go bad? You can thank the great state of New Jersey.  A 1987 NJ state law required all food products sold there to display an expiration date of two years or less from the date of manufacture.

Labeling, separating and shipping batches of expiration-dated water to the Garden State seemed a little inefficient to bottled water producers, so most of them simply started giving every bottle a two-year expiration date, no matter where it was going.

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has never established or suggested a limitation on the shelf life of bottled water as long as it’s produced in accordance with regulations and the bottle remains properly sealed. Makes sense, because it’s, you know…water. Even Dirty Jerz caught on to this fact and amended the law a few years ago. But the expiration date has been an industry norm for so long that many producers have just kept it on there.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

By Alonna Friedman, InStyle.com

Hair myths circulate like urban legends, but which horror stories are just hype? Before you toss your favorite shampoo or swear off color, separate fact from fiction.

1. True or False? Frequent Trims Make Your Hair Grow Faster

FALSE.   “Hair grows from the roots, not the tips,” says Michael Wright, senior research scientist at Nexxus Salon Hair Care. A trim removes split ends to prevent them from moving farther up the hair shaft, saving you from having to cut more to eliminate the damage. Keep your hair healthy in the first place with conditioning treatments and sun and heat protectors, says Saurabh Desai, principal scientist at Aveeno Nourish+.

2. True or False? Brushing Your Hair Often Makes It Healthier                                                                               

FALSE.   Brushing your hair 100 times before bed won’t make your hair look any better. In fact, it might make it look worse. “Over-brushing can dull hair by destroying the cuticle, as well as causing split ends and breakage,” says Desai. And using the wrong tool could further harm hair. In general, plastic and metal bristles can weaken the hair cuticle and cause damage or static and flyaways, so consider switching to a gentle brush with natural boar bristles. “Stick to just enough brushing to keep your hair from becoming tangled — the brush should be able to move through the hair with ease,” says N.Y.C. celebrity hairstylist Miok. For some, that might mean as little as a few strokes just once or twice a day.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

By Jada A. Graves, U.S. News & World Report

Knowing where to place your bets with a used car can be tricky. The horror stories are all too common — the pieced-together parts, the unexplained and unexpected sounds and smells, the bodies in the trunk …

Okay. Maybe the last one isn’t quite as common.

But buying used doesn’t have to be such a gamble if you do your research. There’s a wealth of online information available that can make it easier to avoid a lemon. With the federal government’s vehicle defect notices and J.D. Power and Associates’ reliability data the most common mechanical issues are all easy to trace. In addition, U.S. News’ used car listings make the search easier for the best used car options in your area.

But we’ve already done at that research to help you narrow down your choices. Check out our list of the best and worst used cars. Remember, while this list is a good start, all used cars are different. Before buying, make sure you give any used car — even one on our best list — a thorough inspection.

FOR COMPLETE STORY AND LIST OF BEST & WORST USED CARS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

FDA acts to prevent repeated drug quality problems

From ConsumerAffairs.com

U.S. Marshals, acting at the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have seized drug products manufactured by Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd., at the company’s Michigan facilities in Detroit, Farmington Hills, and Wixom. The seizure also includes ingredients held at these same facilities.

“The FDA is committed to taking enforcement action against firms that do not manufacture drugs in accordance with our good manufacturing practice requirements,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Compliance with these standards prevents harm to the public.”

The move follows Caraco’s continued failure to meet the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, which assure the quality of manufactured drugs, the agency said.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

From Kim Komando’s Tip Of The Day

Q.   I am at an age where orientation plays major tricks on my mind. At times, when I am done shopping, I’ve forgotten where I parked. Is there a GPS device that will help me find my car? This device needs to be very user-friendly and simple.   —Linda in Honolulu, listening on KHVH 830 AM

A.   We all need a little help finding our car from time to time. That’s true no matter our age.

If you already have a GPS unit, you should be set. Add a waypoint in the GPS unit before leaving your car. Take the GPS unit with you. To find your car, navigate to the waypoint.

The steps for adding a waypoint vary. Manually adding one every time you park can quickly become a hassle.

Some GPS units automatically add waypoints when removed from their mounts.

Garmin makes a number of GPS units with this feature. They start around $400. Look for units featuring Garmin Locate. I could not find a similar feature from other manufacturers.

You needn’t purchase a full-fledged GPS unit. There are GPS gadgets designed specifically to help you return to a location.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

***Please note:  I am not affiliated with Kim Komando or Komando.com in any way, nor am I receiving any compensation for this post.

~Sandy G.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Loyal Bedding Recalls Mattress

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PowerPlus Generators Recalled

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Crane Recalls Whirlpool Bath Tubs

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Black & Decker Spacemaker Coffeemakers

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Poseidon Besea Diving Wings Recalled

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Orangatang Skateboard Wheels Recalled

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~Sandy G.

Is this the most dangerous Wii accessory so far?

By Mike Smith, Yahoo! Games

Way back in 2006, there was a spate of media reports about new Wii owners damaging their TVs, prized furniture, elderly relatives and/or pets after losing their grip on a remote while playing Wii Sports Bowling. Nintendo, to its credit, took the problem in hand, first mailing out beefier remote wrist straps to all owners, then following that up with rubberized grips for even more security. But this bowling ball controller, from third-party firm CTA Digital, could take the cake.

Says the official web site: “This Wii peripheral is the first of its kind to be fashioned after an authentic bowling ball, turning your wii-mote into the optimum performance-enhancing accessory! To operate simply …plug the three holes with your fingers, as you would a bowling ball. Lastly, make sure to wear the wrist strap securely around your wrist, this will prevent the ball from accidently flying out of your hand…Even though holding and bowling the ball is so like-like[sic] to the actual sport, never, ever release the ball!!”

Uh, yeah. Nothing bad could ever come of this.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Inoperable tumors almost disappear in three patients

From ConsumerAffairs.com

For years it’s been medicine’s Holy Grail — a cure for cancer. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic aren’t saying they’ve found it, but they think they may be getting close.

Two patients whose prostate cancer had been considered inoperable are now cancer-free, doctors say. The men were treated using an experimental drug therapy that was used in combination with standardized hormone treatment and radiation therapy.

The men were participating in a clinical trial of an immunotherapeutic agent called MDX-010 or ipilimumab. In these two cases, physicians say the approach initiated the death of a majority of cancer cells and caused the tumors to shrink dramatically, allowing surgery. In both cases, the aggressive tumors had grown well beyond the prostate into the abdominal areas.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Hucksters prey on those trading in cars for vouchers

From ConsumerAffairs.com

It should come as no surprise that as soon as the Senate passed “cash for clunkers” — legislation granting vouchers to people who trade in their gas-guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars — a host of scam operations would pop up trying to profit off the bill.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning consumers to not be deceived by official-seeming sites such as “Cash For Clunkers Headquarters,” which claim to offer information on how to trade in your car. Sites that ask for personal information or offer a pre-registration opportunity should not be trusted, the agency said.

“There’s only one official site for the government, and that’s NHTSA’s CARS.gov website,” said NHTSA press officer Eric Bolton. “Folks should go there and not rely on “cash for clunkers” sites on the internet as they are not official.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Possible sentence of two years in prison, $200,000 fine

By Lisa Wade McCormick, ConsumerAffairs.com

A Nevada couple pled guilty in federal court today to distributing melamine-tainted wheat gluten, the ingredient blamed for the illnesses of deaths of thousands dogs and cats nationwide during the massive 2007 pet food recall.

Sally Qing Miller, 43, a Chinese national, and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, 56 — along with their company, Chemnutra, Inc., — entered their guilty pleas late this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Maughmer.

Sally Miller is the controlling owner and president of Chemnutra; Stephen Miller is an owner and chief executive officer of Chemnutra.

Each of the co-defendants pleaded guilty to one count of selling adulterated food and one count of selling misbranded food.

“Millions of pet owners were impacted by the pet food recall in 2007,” said Matt J. Whitworth, acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “The conduct of these defendants in violating federal health and safety standards caused the deaths and illness of thousands of family pets, as well as anxiety among dog and cat owners across the country and economic harm to many pet food manufacturers.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Legislation would empower FDA to police food system

By Martin H. Bosworth, ConsumerAffairs.com

The House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously passed by voice vote the “Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009,” legislation that would, if passed, overhaul the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)’s power to police food suppliers and producers for signs of contaminated product.

“A series of foodborne disease outbreaks…has not only sickened and killed American consumers, but has laid bare unacceptable gaps in our food safety laws,” said committee chair Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). “Today the Committee will act to close those gaps — and give the Food and Drug Administration new authorities, new tools, and a new source of funding to carry out this vital mission.”

Proposed powers for the FDA under the new law include:

• Creation of a registry of all food facilities and importers serving Americans, which would be updated on an annual basis. Affected parties would pay fees to be included in the registry, and would be tagged with unique identification numbers for easier tracking.

• Registered facilities would pay an annual fee of $500 to fund FDA oversight, including inspections, recalls, and certifications for export of food to the U.S.

• The FDA’s powers to “quarantine” potentially unsafe food or products from entering geographic areas would be enhanced.

• The FDA would issue regulations requiring every company in a food produce chain — including manufacturers, processors, and transporters — to maintain records for the origin and distribution of the food, and ensure the records are usable and transferable in multiple formats.

• Enhanced safety requirements for infant formula.

• New authority to subpoena records and protect whistleblowers in case of alleged violations of the law.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Company disputes FDA warning about nasal remedies

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., the pharmaceutical company that makes Zicam, has pulled two of its nasal remedies from the market, but isn’t happy about it. The company responded after the FDA warned that three Zicam products posed the risk of users losing their sense of smell.

“Consumer safety is and has always been the company’s top priority,” the company said in a statement. “While Matrixx Initiatives believes that the FDA action today was unwarranted, it is voluntarily withdrawing Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Gel from the market. Based on the FDA’s recommendation, consumers should discard any unused product or contact Zicam at 1-877-942-2626 or visit www.zicam.com to request a refund.”

The FDA said it had logged more than 130 complaints from consumers detailing their loss of the sense of smell after using the nasal products. It urged consumers to stop using three Zicam products because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell, a condition known as anosmia. Anosmia may be long-lasting or permanent.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

~Sandy G.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

18 Kick Body Boards Recalled

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Chelsea Necklace, Bracelet Sets Recalled

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Macy’s Recalls Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Wagner Spray Tech Recalls Heat Guns

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Campbell Hausfeld Recalls Air Compressors

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Starbucks, Seattle’s Best Coffee Grinders Recalled

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Viking Recalls Built-In Refrigerators

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

~Sandy G.

Refrigerated cookie dough may carry E. coli

From ConsumerAffairs.com

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a dangerous bacterium that causes food borne illness.

The agencies said consumers should:
• Throw away any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products you may have in your home.
• Do not cook the dough because you might get the bacteria on your hands and on other cooking surfaces.
• Contact your health care professional immediately if you or your family have recently eaten the dough and have had stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, with or without bloody stools.
• If you have additional questions about the recalled products, contact Nestle consumer services at 800-559-5025 or visit the company’s Web site.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Test results provided to company; no response so far

By Lisa Wade McCormick, ConsumerAffairs.com

Lab results on a sample of the recalled NUTRO cat food reveal the product contains “concerning” and “sky high” levels of zinc that could cause gastrointestinal problems and liver and kidney damage in felines, according to a veterinary toxicologist.

The non-profit Pet Food Products Safety Alliance (PFPSA) hired Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory to test a sample of the recently recalled NUTRO Max Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor cat food.

Those test results reveal the food contains an excessive amount of zinc — 2100 parts per million (ppm).

“The concentration of zinc identified in this report of 2100 ppm is very high,” said Dr. Stephen Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist and senior vice-president of Animal Health for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). “That zinc level jumps off the page. It is awfully high and does concern us. It’s certainly gotten our attention.”

Do those high levels of zinc pose health problems for cats?

“The problem in this case is that we believe no one actually knows (or at least has published) the effects of 2100 ppm dietary zinc long-term in cats,” Dr. Hansen said. “Typically, cats are more tolerant of high zinc than other species, including dogs and humans.

“But it’s certainly possible that those levels of zinc would likely cause health problems in cats that could involve significant intestinal upset and liver and kidney damage.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Obama expected to sign auto stimulus package quickly

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

The cash-for-clunkers bill passed the Senate 91-5 today and is on its way to President Obama for his signature. It will offer cash vouches worth as much as $4,500 to consumers who trade in their old cars for new, more fuel-efficient models.

The bill sailed through Congress after Democratic backers attached it to a bill that provides funding for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s intended to boost U.S. auto sales, reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality, although critics say it’s unlikely to achieve any of those goals.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will result in the sale of 150,000 new cars.

“This program will provide a much-needed boost to the struggling auto industry, including manufacturers, dealers, suppliers and other related industries,” Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

Supporters include not just domestic automakers. The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) was also a cheerleader for the measure.

“We expect the ‘cash for clunkers’ program to help stimulate the economy and drive an increase in industry sales. Such a program will also radiate economic benefits out to suppliers, dealers and small businesses all around the country,” said AIAM CEO Michael J. Stanton.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

8 ‘freebies’ for new-home buyers

By Fred Minnick, Bankrate.com

In this tough economy, builders would rather give stuff away than sit on unsold homes and condos. And that’s great news for new-construction homebuyers.

Rhonda Duffy, owner of Duffy Realty in Atlanta, says a builder’s whole career could rest on whether he or she sells one house.

“Builders used up all their construction loan money, and they’re sitting on properties. So they can’t build any more houses because they’ve got to sell these first,” says Duffy.

These desperate times translate into 5-percent to 20-percent discounts immediately off the asking price, says Jason Pohlonski, owner of Pohlonski Real Estate Investments in Chicago. Later in the year, prices could drop to 40 percent below the original price, Pohlonski says.

The seller’s concessions don’t stop at the asking price. Brian Lewis, executive vice president of Halstead Property in New York City, says it’s been more than a decade since buyers have felt this kind of power, and they’re using it to score great deals. “They are not necessarily falling in love with homes. They are falling in love with deals,” Lewis says.

Some experts say the freebies are built into the price. Nonetheless, Lewis says, “Ask for everything you want.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Stolen vials of Levemir being sold in the U.S.

From ConsumerAffairs.com

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has learned that some stolen vials of the long-acting insulin Levemir made by Novo Nordisk Inc. have reappeared and are being sold in the U.S. market.

The agency said that three lots or a total of 129,000 vials of this product were stolen in all. These stolen insulin vials may not have been stored and handled properly and may be dangerous for patients to use.

The FDA has received one report of a patient who suffered an adverse event due to poor control of glucose levels after using a vial from one of these three lots.

The agency is advising patients who use Levemir insulin to:

1. Check your personal supply of insulin to determine if you have Levemir insulin from one of the following lots: XZF0036, XZF0037, and XZF0038. Patients can locate the lot number on the side of the box of insulin and also on the side of the vial.

2. Do not use your Levemir insulin if it is from one of these lots. Replace it with a vial of Levemir insulin from another lot. If you must switch to another brand of insulin for any reason, first contact your healthcare provider as another insulin product may require adjustments in dosing.

3. Always visually inspect your insulin before using it. Levemir is a clear and colorless solution.

4. Contact the Novo Nordisk Customer Care Center at 800-727-6500 for what to do with vials from these lots or if you have any other questions.

LINK TO STORY HERE.

~Sandy G.

Bill would force tobacco companies to disclose ingredients

From ConsumerAffairs.com

For the first time, the U.S. tobacco companies may soon come under the jurisdiction of health regulators. The Senate Thursday approved a measure giving the Food and Drug Administration responsibility for regulating the companies that make tobacco products.

The House has already passed a similar measure. After reviewing the Senate version, it is expected to give final approval to the measure and send it to President Obama, up until recently, a smoker himself.

Health advocates have pushed for such a measure for years. Under the bill passed by Congress, tobacco companies would have to disclose the ingredients in cigarettes.

Though the tobacco industry has resisted such a move every time it’s been brought up, the bill destined to become law is far from controversial. It easily passed the Senate in a bipartisan 79-17 vote.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

New study documents how BPA-related fertility defect can occur

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.Com

The body of evidence against the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, appears to be growing.

The chemical, found in a wide range of household items, including beverage and food containers, is believed to to cause a fertility defect in the mother’s offspring in animal studies, and now researchers say they have found how the defect occurs.

Exposure during pregnancy to the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, found in many common plastic household items, is known. The results of the new study will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

The study, funded partly by the National Institutes of Health, joins a growing body of animal research showing the toxic health effects of BPA, including reproductive and developmental problems. Last August the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found BPA to be safe as currently used but later said more research on its safety is needed.

BPA is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic, such as for baby bottles, refillable water bottles and food containers, as well as to make the linings of metal food cans. BPA has estrogen-like properties and in pregnant animals has been linked to female infertility.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Suit claims non-existent, expired profiles are fraudulent

By Jon Hood, ConsumerAffairs.com

A New York man has filed a class action lawsuit against popular dating site Match.com, claiming that the site deceives subscribers by showing them photos and profiles of non-paying members who can’t respond to romantic advances.

Match.com allows anyone to create a profile for free, but in order to read or respond to messages, or contact potential partners, customers must sign up for a subscription with the website.

Sean McGinn, of Brooklyn, NY, alleges that this practice caused him “humiliation and disappointment” when he tried to contact non-subscribing members and never heard back from them. McGinn apparently took this to mean that his efforts had failed, when in fact his romantic interests were unable to read, let alone reply to, his messages without subscribing or re-activating an expired account. (Match.com doesn’t delete profiles of members who have canceled their accounts or let them expire, further defrauding bachelors like McGinn.)

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Agency warns against hand sanitizers, skin protectants

From ConsumerAffairs.com

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use any skin sanitizers and skin protectants made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah.

The company is recalling products marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the product during a recent inspection.

The FDA says consumers should not use any Clarcon products and should throw these products away. Sanitizer and skin protectant products revealed high levels of various bacteria, including some associated with unsanitary conditions.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Legislation would pay for trading in old gas-guzzlers 

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

The House of Representatives has voted to a pass legislation that would pay consumers up to $4500 for trading in old gas-guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The measure, designed to both spur auto sales and reduce U.S. fuel consumption, now goes to the Senate. If passed, President Obama is expected to sign it.

Under the so-called “cash for clunkers” bill, a consumer is rewarded for trading in cars that average 18 miles per gallon or less on the combined city/highway cycle. If they purchase a new vehicle that gets an extra four miles per gallon or more, they would receive a voucher for $3,500. If they purchase a new vehicle that gets 10 miles per gallon or more than their “clunker,” the value of the voucher goes up to $4500.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.