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

Rage Wireless Guitars used with the Nintendo Wii gaming system are being recalled. A circuit board defect can cause AA batteries used in the guitar to leak if the batteries are installed incorrectly, posing a risk of chemical burns to consumers.

Performance Designed Products Inc. has received one report of a burn to a consumer.

The Rage Wireless Guitar controller is designed to be used on the Nintendo Wii system. The guitar is blue or white and is 31 inches long. The guitar contains battery-operated LED-lighted fret buttons that go up the neck of the guitar.

Mass merchandisers and specialty retailers nationwide sold the guitars from June 2008 through September 2008 for between $40 and $60. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the wireless guitar game controllers immediately and return them to the place where purchased for a full refund. Do not contact or return the product to Nintendo.

For additional information, contact Performance Designed Products at (800) 331-3844 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.pdp.com/.

LINK TO STORY:    http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/rage.html

~Sandy G.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

Target is recalling about 330,000 pairs of Circo Rosette bobbie socks. The ribbon on the sock can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Target has received four reports of the ribbon detaching. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves girls Circo bobbie socks. The socks were sold in packs of six (pink, purple, plain white and three pairs with a box), ranging in size from 6- to 12-months, 12- to 24-months and 2T to 5T. The socks are packaged in a green and white sleeve with a Circo-brand logo on the front.

The socks, made in Hong Kong, were sold at Target stores nationwide from January 2007 to July 2008 for about $6.

Consumers should take these socks away from children and return them to the nearest Target store to receive a full refund.

For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.target.com/.

LINK TO STORY:    http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/circo.html

~Sandy G.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

Worldwise Inc. is recalling about 223,000 SlyDog retractable dog leashes. The metal clasp connecting the leash to a dog’s collar can bend or break while in use, causing the leash to recoil back unexpectedly. This poses a serious risk of injury to consumers.

Worldwise has received five reports of injuries, including facial cuts, a broken tooth, displaced eye lens, and a bruised collar bone.

This recall involves the SlyDog Retractable Dog Leash with a metal clasp. The leash has a handle composed of a blue plastic case with a black plastic grip. The leash is made of a black woven strap and measures approximately one-half inch wide. The end of the leash has a metal clasp which connects to the dog’s collar. The SlyDog retractable leashes with a plastic clasp are not included in this recall.

The leashes, made in China, were sold by Dollar General Stores nationwide from September 2007 through August 2008 for about $5.

Consumers should stop using these leashes immediately and return them to Worldwise Inc. for a full refund, including shipping costs.

For more information, contact Worldwise toll-free at (888) 296-3807 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.squareonesystem.com/.

LINK TO STORY:     http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/dog_leash.html

~Sandy G.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

My Way Corp. is recalling about 800 baby walkers that do not meet the stairway fall hazard standard. The walkers can fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers can be seriously injured or killed.

The recalled walkers were sold for babies 6 months and older. The walkers were sold in the following colors: pink, red, green, blue, and ivory. The walkers have an activity tray with a steering wheel and other toys. “My Way Corp” is printed on a sticker on the front of the walker.

The walkers were sold at independent discount stores in Puerto Rico from November 2004 through March 2008 for between $18 and $25. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using these walkers immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

For additional information, contact My Way Corp. collect at (787) 758-5848 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

LINK TO STORY:      http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/myway.html

~Sandy G.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

Playkids U.S.A. is recalling about 2,000 convertible cribs after a 5-month-old child died in Brooklyn, N.Y. after becoming trapped between the mattress and the drop side rail of the crib.

The sides of the convertible crib are made of a mesh that expands, creating a gap between the mattress and the side through which an infant can slip. This poses suffocation and entrapment hazards for young children.

The recall involves the Playkids U.S.A. convertible crib/playpen/bassinet/bed with model number PLK-909. “Playkids U.S.A.” can be found on the packaging and on a label sewn into the side of the crib. The model number can be found on the packaging.

The convertible cribs have a drop side rail, a stationary side rail, a canopy assembly, and a bassinet. The sides of the convertible crib, the mattress support, the bassinet, the canopy and the bedskirt are covered in fabric and mesh. The fabric and the mesh come in a variety of colors and patterns.

The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in juvenile product retailers in New York from March 2007 through September 2008 for about $100.

Consumers should stop using the recalled convertible cribs immediately and contact Playkids USA to receive a full refund.

For additional information, consumers should contact Playkids USA collect at (718) 797-0302 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

LINK TO STORY:     http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/playkids_crib.html

~Sandy G.

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

Tween Brands is recalling about 12,000 children’s necklaces, CD and MP3 players sold at Limited Too and Justice Stores. Surface coatings could contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

This recall involves a Ball and Heart Necklace with pink beads of varying sizes and a pink heart located in the center; a Portable CD Player with flowers and dots available in blue and pink; a pink MP3 Player with purple, green, blue, yellow, and red hearts; and a light blue MP3 Player with a picture of a monkey’s face on the front.

The items were sold by Limited Too and Justice retail stores nationwide, the Limited Too catazine (catalog), and on www.limitedtoo.com  from May 2007 through August 2008. The Ball and Heart Necklace sold for about $8, the Portable CD Players sold for about $25, and the MP3 Players sold for about $55. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take these recalled products away from children and return them to any Limited Too or Justice store for a full refund and a coupon for a 15% discount off a future purchase.

For additional information, call Tween Brands at (800) 934-4497 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web sites at www.limitedtoo.com/ and www.shopjustice.com.


LINK TO STORY:    http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/tween.html   

~Sandy G.