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.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

Halloween costuming may be harmful if improperly used

Every year, the approach of Halloween heightens concerns at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that consumers will harm their eyes with unapproved decorative contact lenses.

These are lenses that some people use to temporarily change their eye color or to make their eyes look weird — perhaps giving them an “eye-of-the-tiger” look.

“Although unauthorized use of decorative contact lenses is a concern year-round, Halloween is the time when people may be inclined to use them, perhaps as costume accessories,” says James Saviola, the Ophthalmic and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Network Leader in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The problem is not that people use decorative, non-corrective lenses. It’s that many go about it the wrong way, which is dangerous.

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

~Sandy G.

 

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

Suspect White Rabbit Creamy Candy found in at least two states

Candy lovers beware. Melamine-tainted candy — imported from China — is now showing up on store shelves in the United States.

Officials in California and Connecticut confirm they have found White Rabbit Creamy Candy contaminated with melamine in their states.The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection said the tainted candy was primarily found in Asian markets. But officials warn the contaminated candy could be on store shelves nationwide.

Melamine is the chemical at the heart of the Chinese-milk scandal, which is blamed for the deaths of four babies and the illnesses of more than 53,000 other children in that country.

FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:     http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/10/chinese_formula07.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.

Opponents say irradiation no substitute for careful handling of food

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has flashed a green light for two green vegetables to be zapped with radiation to kill bacteria and reduce foodborne illness. The FDA said the process would also give the produce a longer shelf life.

Both spinach and lettuce were associated with recent outbreaks of E. coli. Hundreds of consumers nationwide were sickened in late 2006 and dozens had to be hospitalized.

Although it is controversial, the irradiation process is nothing new. It has already been approved for use on meat, poultry, and shellfish such as oysters, mussels and clams.

Some consumer groups, including Public Citizen, oppose irradiation, saying it is not as effective as its proponents claim and is a substitute for filthy conditions in the food chain.

“That 5,000 people in the United States die every year from foodborne illnesses is tragic,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. “Food producers need to address the source of the problem — too fast processing lines and dirty conditions at plants — not promote an expensive, impractical and ineffective technology like irradiation.”

Irradiation does not kill all the bacteria in food and may undermine other food safety efforts by masking filthy conditions and encouraging improper handling, Hauter said.

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

~Sandy G.