Widespread salmonella contamination feared in products containing peanut butter

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

Another company has recalled some of its products as the nationwide salmonella outbreak continues to grow. The Michigan-based Meijer company on Monday recalled two types of peanut butter crackers and two types of peanut butter ice cream sold in its stores and gas stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

The company took the action after the products’ manufacturers said they could be contaminated with salmonella. Meijer recalled the following products:

• Meijer Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56235
• Meijer Toasty Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56239
• Meijer Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96635-3
• Meijer Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96843-2

FOR THE COMPLETE STORY: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/01/pb_king_recall04.html
~Sandy G.

Treats and decorations could be hazardous to animals’ health

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

Animal protection organizations say there’s no trick to keeping pets safe this Halloween. Pet owners just need to be aware of the risks dogs and cats could face on this upcoming haunted night.

“Many of our favorite Halloween traditions could pose a potential threat to our companion animals,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s (ASPCA) Poison Control Center. “So as you start to make plans for trick-or-treating or Halloween costumes, pet parents should be aware of Halloween-related products and activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.”

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) agrees.

FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:   http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/10/halloween_pets.html

~Sandy G.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

Buzz’s Boatyard is recalling about 200 toy boats. The paint on the recalled toy boats contains an excess level of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

This recall involves two models of tin Pop Pop toy boats. Models included in the recall are the 13-inch ‘Titanic’ and the ‘Hut’ Pop Pop boats.

The boats were sold through Buzz’s Boatyard’s Web site (http://www.buzzboats.com/) from April 2007 to November 2007 for between $3 and $12. They were made in India.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Buzz’s Boatyard for a refund or an exchange.

For additional information, contact at Buzz’s Boatyard at (877) 207-1923 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.buzzboats.com/poppop.htm.

FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:    http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/buzz_boats.html    

~Sandy G.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

IKEA is rcalling about 5,000 KVIBY chests of drawers. The glass drawer knobs on the chest can break either during assembly or in use, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

IKEA has received three reports of laceration injuries requiring medical attention. An additional 11 injuries occurred outside of the U.S., where an additional 26,000 of the units were sold.

The recalled KVIBY Chest is white with 4 drawers and 6 glass knobs. The recall includes chests with article number 201-080-90 and a date stamp of 0817 (first two digits indicate the year; the second two digits indicate the week) or earlier. The article number and date stamp are located on a label attached to the underside of the chest. KVIBY chests with a date stamp of 0818 and later have improved replacement knobs and screws and are not included in the recall.

The chests were sold at IKEA stores nationwide from August 2007 through July 2008 for about $300. They were made in Denmark.

Consumers should protect their hands and carefully remove the glass knobs. Contact IKEA to receive free replacement knobs and screws by mail.

For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.ikea-usa.com/.

FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:    http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/ikea_chest.html 

~Sandy G.

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

Candy-maker says U.S.-made products are untainted

The Hershey Company, which manufactures and sells Cadbury chocolates in the United States, said it does not buy powered milk or other milk ingredients from China.

“All Hershey products use the highest-quality ingredients and are completely safe,” the candy giant said in a written statement. “This includes Cadbury products manufactured and distributed in the United States by The Hershey Company.”

The announcement follows Monday’s recall of 11-types of Cadbury chocolates made in China. The British-based candy company took that action after the products tested positive for melamine.

PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE STORY: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/09/chinese_formula06.html

~Sandy G.

Bantry Bay products may be contaminated with dangerous toxins

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says consumers should be on the lookout for certain frozen cooked mussel products made by Bantry Bay Seafoods, imported from Ireland. The agency says they could be contaminated with azaspiracid toxins, a group of naturally occurring marine toxins known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Unfortunately, there’s little way to tell of food is contaminated with Azaspiracid toxins without eating it. The toxins are odorless, tasteless, and cannot be destroyed or neutralized by freezing or cooking, including boiling.

The FDA says consumers who have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as those noted above after eating any of the products listed below should consult their health care professional. Symptoms typically occur within hours of consumption and persist for two to three days.

In July, two people in Washington State became ill after eating the company’s “Mussels in a Garlic Butter Sauce.” FDA tested unopened product from the same production lot and found that it contained the azaspiracid toxins.

Consumers should throw out the following Bantry Bay Seafood frozen cooked products with “Best before end” dates ranging from January 23, 2009, to November 15, 2009:

• Mussels in a Garlic Butter Sauce
The “Best before end” dates are displayed on the side of the box in the following format: MM:DD:YY. Products to be thrown out are marked with dates 01:23:09 through 11:15:09.

• Mussels in White Wine Sauce

• Mussels in Tomato and Garlic Sauce

PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/08/seafood_warning.html  

~Sandy G.