Exploding battery packs result in Rayovac recall

Power tools are dangerous enough without the threat of the cordless battery pack suddenly exploding! That’s the situation with this latest product safety recall.

BatteriesPlus, LLC is pulling back 111,800 of their Rayovac NI-CD Cordless Tool Battery Packs after they received five reports that the batteries were exploding.  The packs sold at BatteriesPlus retail stores across the USA and on the company online store for approximately $60 each.  Packs purchased from June 2008 through October 2011 are involved in this recall.

Photo: CPSC

Here’s what to look for:

• RAYOVAC-branded replacement battery
• RAYOVAC NI-CD printed on battery casing
• Part number beginning with “CTL” is printed on the product (see website link below for more details)
• Voltages ranging between 2.4 and 18 volts
• Variety of shapes and sizes

Sold as replacement batteries to these brand-named power tools: Black and Decker, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Panasonic, Ryobi and Skil.

Stop using the battery immediately.  Remove the battery from the power tool. Contact BatteriesPlus for details on how to return the product for a store credit.

BatteriesPlus phone:  (877) 856-3232

BatteriesPlus website:  www.batteriesplus.com

Massage Pets find a kink they can’t work out!

 Red & black Ladybug  /   Yellow & Black Bee

UPC 0 49696 60453 6 / UPC 0 49696 60454 3

The hang tag states that these Handheld Massage Pets are a “fun way to massage away aches and tension." It’s likely that the Ohio-based distributor, Fourstar Group USA, Inc., is suffering with a big ache and pain, as 25,500 units were pulled off the shelves when reports of leaking batteries began to surface. Leaking batteries can pose a serious burn or skin irritation hazard to users.

Manufactured in China, these little massagers were sold exclusively through BJ’s Wholesale Club membership locations in fifteen states from Florida to Maine. Five of those stores reported customers complaining about the batteries leaking, but no injuries were indicated. They were sold briefly from September through December 2011.

Consumers who purchased these massagers should stop using them and return them immediately to the BJ’s Wholesale Club nearest them for a full refund. WARNING: To avoid exposure to any potential harm, do not touch the battery or open the battery compartment. 

Both products are 3 ½“ high and 5” wide and come with two Kendal-brand AA batteries.  The retail tag is printed with “Dating code 1210A.”

Fourstar Group can be contacted via phone at (866) 290-6191, but unfortunately there is no human customer service person available to take your call. In addition, the email address given in CPSC recall is no help in reaching a company contact for further information. Returning the unit to the store of purchase appears to be the only option given at this point.

Quality & Design Issues force recall of two infant rattle sets

Two collections of infant rattles were recalled from store shelves in Colorado and Dallas last week.  Distributed by Toy Distribution of Los Angeles, one set of five rattles and the other set of nine rattles were sold in toy stores in the two states from December 2009 thru December 2010 at the quality-assuring price of $2.00 a set.

Yes, the facetiousness does seep in here, I admit.  But really folks – how does it make sense that toys that cost less than a cup of coffee can actually be trusted to be safe for an active, teething infant, the most vulnerable of our consumers?  It’s obvious that price alone is not an indication of safety or quality, but certainly it should be one factor that caregivers use to guide their decisions. Quality, toughness and durability built into toys are costly, but for an infant toy, these features should top the list.  Chinese manufacturers, Winning Key Manufacturing and Topwin Toys, HK, produced these sets, and the December 13, 2011 CPSC announcement indicates that only 50 sets are involved.    

In the case of these rattles, small parts can break off creating a choking hazard for children under three years of age.  The plastic handles have a rounded shape at the ends that have the potential to become pushed into the back of the child’s throat, blocking the airway, also creating a choking hazard.  If the child is toddling and falls with the end of the handle in their mouth, this could cause harm to the roof of the mouth or soft pallet. 

Photo: CPSC

• Item name HANDBELL TOYS printed at the top left-hand corner of the boxes. 
• The name "JUNYI" printed on the front top right-hand corner of one box with item number 58083801 on a white sticker on the back of the box.
• The name "XIN DA MEI" printed on the front of the box in the top right-hand corner, with the item number 308363 on a white sticker on the back of the box.

Consumers who think they may possess these sets should remove the toys from  child use immediately and contact the place of purchase for refund or replacement. Toys Distribution can be reached directly at (323) 266-8088, or via email at mailbox@shoptdi.com .

Glass Fragments found in ProPack Tropik Splash Lemonade

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a consumer warning for possible contamination of Tropik Splash Lemonade with small fragments of glass.  No injuries have been reported, but the bottled fruit drink is being recalled in an abundance of caution to protect the health of consumers.

Although the product, produced by Toronto-based ProPack Foods, Inc., is normally distributed in Ontario and Quebec, it may have nationwide distribution and sales in Canada.

To identify if the product on your pantry shelf is involved, check for these details on the bottle label.

• 473 mL bottles
• UPC Code:  0 26595 78680 8
• Lot number beginning with "BB 2013 SEP 14"

Consumers are urged not to ingest the affected beverages and can contact CFIA by phone at (800) 442-2342 to receive disposal or refund instructions.

FDA sets strict DEHP limit for bottled water

How safe is that water bottle you just purchased?  Are you sure the clear, refreshing liquid inside is as pure and chemical free as you expect?  Bottled water is actually regulated quite extensively, but despite that monitoring, new risks continue to be addressed to help reduce any potential threat to long-term consumer health.

Bottled water is federally regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Manufacturers of bottled water must follow the FDA’s stringent food safety and labeling  requirements, as well as specific Good Manufacturing Practices to help ensure that the water inside those creatively designed plastic bottles maintains a specific quality level. 

There are also state responsibilities for bottled water.  State health departments efforts are focused on supporting the federal regulations and making sure that they are strictly adhered to. Some of the state responsibilities include:

• Making sure that all water comes from approved sources
• Inspecting and analyzing those approved sources
• Certifying  third-party testing labs to ensure consistent & reliable results
• Random and annual inspections of bottling plants and finished products

Water sources for bottled water sold in the USA can also be outside the U.S. borders, so the bottled water industry also voluntarily follows the International Bottled Water Association Model Code, which requires annual plant and water source inspections.

On the other hand, pubic drinking water (municipal water) is regulated as a product by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Safe Drinking Water Act. Public water goes through a water treatment system of coagulation, sedimentation, disinfection and filtration that helps eliminate contaminants and assure the best quality results.

The blitz of popularity that bottled water has enjoyed, also brought with it new environmental and health issues.  One such issue is the release of a chemical known as  DEHP or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. This chemical is on the California Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Studies have shown that the main exposure to this chemical is through diet (ingestion). The clear, flexible plastic used to mold the bottles can sometimes contain DEHP, and the potential for this chemical to leach out of the plastic and into the water inside is very real. 

For this reason, effective April 16, 2012, bottled drinking water will have to meet new, stricter FDA water quality standards.  The existing FDA 21 CFR 165.110 was recently amended, establishing a specific allowable DEHP limit of 0.005 mg/litre. Manufacturers of bottled water will now be required to annually monitor both their source water and finished product for appropriate levels of DEHP. By setting a specific DEHP limit, and requiring adherence to Best Practices in Manufacturing, bottled water safety will be equivalent to the EPA’s requirements for public drinking water.

Now - if we can only find a way to reduce the significant assault on the environment that bottled water presents.  The World Wide Fund for Nature suggests that over 1.5 million tons of plastic is used in 89 billion liters of water every year. While the DEHP may be limited in each individual bottle, the accumulative result is large amounts of this chemical leaching out into landfills at amazing rates.

On step forward, but still losing the race.

Aflatoxin contaminates Cargill dog food

Aflatoxin is in the news again as Cargill Animal Nutrition announced a recall of two brands of dry dog food due to high levels of the potentially toxic mold by-product.  Earlier this month Procter & Gamble recalled Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food in which the Aflatoxin levels were also discovered to be above the FDA’s acceptable limit [see earlier Safety Spot blog post.]

Cargill, an international food and industrial product distributor, targeted the River Run and Marksman brands in this recall.

 Check the company website for photos at this link.

Batches produced from December 2010, and up to Dec. 1, 2011 are involved and only those products with the following Packaging Date Codes or Lot numbers are affected:

• 4K0335 through 4K0365
• LL0335 through LL0365
• 4K1001 through 4K1335
• LL1001 through LL1335

The affected dry dog food has already been removed from the shelves in the fifteen states into which it has been sold, but consumers are warned to check their products to see if they have any of the affected food.  If so, return the dog food to the store of purchase (opened or partially used) for a complete refund.

Cargill can be contacted for more information at (855) 460-1532 or at their website.

Bella Bliss Sleepwear fails flammability standard

Children’s sleepwear is subject to federal flammability standards 16 CFR 1615 and 16 CFR 1616. These requirements are designed to protect children from burns that could occur if the child wearing the pajamas was near an open flame or fire.  The standard requires that fabric used in sleepwear children’s sleepwear must be "flame resistant and self-extinguish if a flame from a candle, match, lighter or a similar item causes it to catch fire."

The regulation is designed to cover children’s sleepwear for ≥ size 9 months and ≤ size 14. Prior to being placed into commerce, two things must be assured: (1) the fabric/garment must pass the federally required flammability tests; or (2) be "tight fitting" as indicated by the specific dimensions in the standard

This week Bella Bliss announced a voluntary recall of 2,300 of their Bliss Collection Children’s Henley Pima Cotton Pajama sets for failure to pass the federal flammability standard. The two-piece sleepwear sets in children sizes 2 through 12 were manufactured in Peru and came in white and three other pastel colors; blue, pink and red. 

"Bella Bliss" is printed on neck label 

Sets were sold for $48-$58 each via the Bella Bliss mail-order catalog, as well as clothing specialty retail and online stores nationwide.  Those pajamas purchased between January 2008 and up to June 2011 are impacted by this voluntary recall.

Customers should stop using the pajamas and return them to the place of purchase for refund, exchange or store credit.  Bliss Bella can be contacted by phone at (866) 846-5295 or via their website at www.bellabliss.com.

See's Almond Clusters recalled for peanut content

‘Tis the Season for candy and treats; 

cookies and lollipops; and all kinds of sweets.

See’s Candies has been a company and personal gift-giving favorite since their start in 1921. Long known for their homemade delights and consistent quality, the company fell victim to a little Bah-Humbug this week when they announced a safety recall on one batch of Almond Clusters (8 oz. size).

The batch being recalled (Code SF 088/12 only) is suspected of containing peanuts. Peanuts are a known allergen to many who have an allergy or sensitivity to the nuts. Allergic reactions to peanuts can be mild to life-threatening.  For this reason, See’s is pulling back 3,600 boxes in the singular production run marked SF 008/12.

The candied nuts were sold through See’s Holiday Gift Centers and licensed shops in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Consumers can contact See’s for details at (800) 789-7337

IAMS Puppy Food recalled for violating Aflatoxin levels

Iams.com

Aflatoxin is a mold that grows in tree nuts and seeds like peanuts & peanut butter, pecans, corn, wheat and cotton-seed oil.  Aflatoxins are considered by the FDA to be “unavoidable contaminants”, but because they can cause cancer in animals, the leading U.S. food safety authority allows aflatoxins in pet food only in very low amounts.

Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) just announced a voluntarily recall on one single production batch of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food in which the Aflatoxin levels were discovered to be above the FDA’s acceptable limit.

Although the products affected have already been removed from store shelves, consumers who previously purchased the dog food should check the Code Dates and UPC Codes below to see if the product in their pantry is included in this recall.

Recalled dog food information:

Product Name	Version	Code Date	UPC Code
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food with Use By or Expiration Dates of February 5 or February 6, 2013	7.0 lb bag	12784177I6	1901402305
	8.0 lb bag	12794177D2 12794177D3	1901410208
	17.5 lb bag	12794177K1 12794177K2	1901401848

The affected product batch was distributed to a small number of retailers located in the eastern USA (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia). No illnesses have been reported, but P&G is removing the product to protect the health of pets.

As with any food safety recall, consumers should stop using the product discard it so it can not be consumed by other pets and contact Iams/P&G via phone at (866) 908-1569; or via their website at www.iams.com. 

Symptoms of Aflatoxin poisoning include lethargy, sluggishness, a poor appetite, diarrhea and/or vomiting.  One may even see a yellowish tint to the eyes or gums.  If the pet has consumed the recalled product and any of these symptoms are seen, contact a veterinarian for immediate consultation. 

Halloween Projection Flashlights Pose Fire & Burn Hazard

Those vampire teeth, slimy eyes and long black press-on nails have loads of play-value after the scary Halloween night has passed. Unfortunately, many times the cheap discount store novelties have less than stellar reputation for safety. 

Take, for example, the ten-thousand Halloween Projection Flashlights that sold for just $1.00 at discount stores in Utah, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, California, Connecticut, Florida and Maryland from August 2010 through October 2011.

The novelty lights were made in China and imported by Nygala Corporation (New Jersey).  A product safety recall was announced this week when the importer received a report that one of the small flashlights overheated, melting the plastic. This poses a potential fire and burn hazard to the user.

The black and orange 6.5-inch handle of the plastic flashlight includes images of cats, bats, haunted houses witches, and pumpkins. Six projection lenses attach to the flashlight.  Powered by two AA batteries, the word “Flomo,” “HW189” and UPC 677916518266 can be found printed on the product packaging.

Those who purchased these flashlights themselves should remove the batteries and dispose of them properly, then return the flashlight to the store of purchase for a full refund.

Those who received the flashlights as a Halloween give-away should stop using the product immediately, remove and properly dispose of the batteries, and contact the company website for disposal directions.

Nygala Corporation can be reached via phone at (800) 445-5936.

The company website is: www.flomousa.com

Schwinn 460 Elliptical Trainer Recalled for Fall Hazard

illo: desidieter.com

Historically treadmills have been the most popular home exercise equipment, providing convenient and healthy walking/running experiences to folks in both sunny and snowy weather.  Running a close second in popularity are elliptical trainers that provide a great cardio effort with the added benefit of a low-impact workout.  That is, unless the footplates detach during use delivering the very real potential for a high-impact fall!

This is the case with the Schwinn 460 Elliptical Trainer manufactured by Nautilus Incorporated.  About 10,000 of the exercise equipment was recalled on December 6, 2011 for the loosening of the footplates that have created nine incidents of the plates detaching and one report of the user falling off and hitting his knee.

A medallion with the Schwinn logo is on the
bottom right side of the base of the machine.

At a retail cost of about $1000 each, the trainers were sold nationwide at a wide variety of specialty and sporting goods retail stores, as well as online sites.  Units involved in the recall were sold from July 2008 though May 2011.

Consumers are advised to stop using the trainers immediately and contact Nautilus Inc. for a free repair kit, along with an extended warranty.   The company can be contacted via phone at (800) 259-9019, or on the Schwinn website at http://www.schwinn.com.  

Widmann's candy-imitating Christmas ornaments violate UK law

Decorating the Christmas tree and rooms around the house with reindeer and jingle bells and nativity scenes is a often a family event.  Opening the boxes packed with ornaments handed down or collected over the years is one of the most special holiday activities. Each colorful decoration holds a special memory.

To keep those memories happy ones, be cautious about the ornaments placed on a tree where young children are present. Young children can be easily attracted to the glittery decorations, and the more fragile ones can break into small parts with minimal effort.  Broken ornaments or decorations can expose sharp points, sharp edges or small parts that can quickly lead to puncture, laceration or choking hazards.

When children are present, avoid using decorations that resemble small pieces of candy. These are simply too enticing to young children, and they don’t recognize the hazard of swallowing that glass or plastic candy. 

Tree topper #M251968; Tree garland #L316552;  Star Ornament #L316554

Recently, O Widmann and Company, Ltd., a novelty importer based in London, announced a product recall on the Lollipop & Dots Sugar tree garland, White Snowflake tree topper and Hanging Star Sugar Ornament. UK Trade inspectors discovered the decorations during a routine retail investigation. They felt the decorations looked too much like real candy which could confuse children into thinking they were real, then put them in their mouth, or swallow them. If swallowed the candy-shaped pieces could create a suffocation, choking or poison hazard. It was determined that this product violates the UK law Council Directive 87/357/EEC that forbids the marketing of food-imitating products. 

While the USA has not mandated such a rule, common sense should prevail. Protect children from this completely preventable safety hazard, and keep the merry in Merry Christmas by keeping food/candy imitating ornaments off the tree and out of the home.