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.

Silva English Bangers recalled for labeling error

English Bangers: Comfort
food for traveling Brits

Any citizen of the United Kingdom and Ireland may certainly be homesick for the delicious pork and veal sausages that they refer to as “bangers.”  The name is thought to be derived from the loud popping sound made when the sausages explode over high heat.  It’s a favorite hearty meat often served with mashed potatoes.  

Silva Sausage Company in Gilroy, California has been making these sausages for years, and distributes them for restaurant and other institutional use in the northern areas of Livermore and Sacramento.

On November 28, 2011, Silva Sausage Company announced a recall of specific batch of the sausages when it was discovered that the label on the product did not list wheat as one of the ingredients. The mistake involved 1,010 pounds of the sausage packed in 10-pound cases.

The mistake was attributed to an error in the new printing process they had recently installed at their factory.  It was detected during a routine factory audit by the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  No illness or reactions have been reported, but the recall is being conducted to assure consumer safety.

Institutions that have purchased the Silva Sausage English Brand Bangers should check for the following information on the packaging:

• USDA Inspection seal marked EST 6086
• Item #10326
• Lot Codes: 112271, 112911 or 112980

Contact Silva Vice-President, Rick Martins at (408) 293-5437 for questions and instructions for this recall.

Hong Kong consumers warned of problem with eye drops

The Hong Kong Department of Health (DH) has announced the voluntary recall of one specific batch of eye-drops marketed to reduce redness and irritation. The drops, known as Eye Mo 36 Eye Drops 0.05%, are manufactured in Indonesia by PT Sterling Products Indonesia and distributed in Hong Kong by the drug wholesaler, GlaxoSmithKline Ltd.  

Hard boric acid crystal deposits have been found on the dispenser’s nozzle. 

The company indicated that it has imported 31,500 of the drops into Hong Kong mostly to local pharmacies, drug stores and medicine companies. Some of the batch was re-exported to Macau.

The recalled batch #X012FA-1 is marked on the product itself. The batch involved in the recall was the only batch shipped via air freight, and it is suspected that there may have been inconsistent temperature control or cabin pressure during transportation that caused the crystallization of the buffering agent in the drops.

No injuries have been reported yet, but the DH is recalling this batch in an abundance of caution.

Hong Kong consumers should not use the product, and can contact the company’s customer service directly at 3189 8765.

UPDATE: Ocean Spray Craisons® recall expanded

UPDATE:  On December 2, 2011, Ocean Spray added five more “Best By” code dates to their voluntary recall of selected batches of Craisins® on November 25, 2011. This update includes a specific number of production batches shown below:

The new batches shown above were only shipped to retailers in eight western states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington.

See original post below for consumers instructions.

Ocean Spray Craisons® recalled for metal fragment contamination

Nov, 25,2011

Dried cranberries and raisins are popular all-year ‘round, but during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays their popularity gets kicked into high-gear.  Cranberry sauces for the turkey dinner and cranberry muffins or scones for family breakfast festivities. Ocean Spray has long been known as one of the premier makers of packaged dried fruit for healthy snacking and backing. It was Ocean Spray’s idea to combine these two delicious dried fruits into one delectable creation, Craisins®.

The company’s reputation for safe and quality food handling processes ran into some trouble this week, as the company announced a food safety recall of four styles of their packaged dried “Craisons®”  The recall was done in due caution when small, thin metal fragments were discovered to have possibly contaminated specific batches of the packed fruit.

The recall involves five, ten, forty-eight ounce and 10 lb bulk packs of Ocean Spray Original Flavor Craisins® Dried Cranberries. Although no injuries have been reported, and it is unlikely that these hair-like pieces would cause illness or injury, Ocean Spray is taking these voluntary actions to ensure consumer safety.

To check the details on this recall, click the link to the FDA announcement here.  Consumers who purchased one of the batches outlined in the chart below should remove the UPC label, discard the package and contact Ocean Spray via phone at (800) 662-3263 for a replacement product coupon.

Product Name	Best By Dates
5 oz Craisins® UPC: 00293-000	Oct 27 2012  M
10 oz Craisins® UPC: 29456-000 and 29464-000	Oct 27 2012 M  Oct 28 2012 M  Oct 29 2012 M
48 oz Craisins® UPC: 00678-318	Oct  27 2012 M Nov   3 2012 M Nov   4 2012 M Nov   5 2012 M Nov   6 2012 M Nov   7 2012 M Nov 10 2012 M Nov 11 2012 M
10 lb bulk ingredient & foodservice UPC: 03477-000	30 Oct 2013 M 31 Oct 2013 M 1 Nov 2013 M 5 Nov 2013 M

Consumer health threatened by these manufacturers' errors

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend promises plates of appetizers, main courses and tantalizing desserts, all designed to remind the gathered groups of how blessed each one is to have food to eat this holiday.  Having spent many years working in poor townships and villages of South Africa and Sri Lanka, this attitude of appreciation is a daily mindset at our home.

This week the celebrations in many homes may be stunted by the slew of FDA food safety recalls that have made the news.

The links for information are included below, but here is the skinny on a few you’ll want to be aware of:

Caribbean Rum Balls label
missing ingredient list

The tasty rum balls made in the Virgin islands by Caribbean Rum Balls were recalled for undeclared allergens.  That's right, plural.  The label on these treats neglected to list wheat, coconut, eggs, milk and sodium bisulfite (a preservative). In fact, there was no ingredient list at all on the product packaging!  Sold through the mail and in local markets, the rum balls were packed in 4, 8 and 12 ounce containers.

Consumers can contact Caribbean Rum Balls via phone at (340) 755-6616.  

Details about the recall can be found here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** *

During a standard factory inspection, the New York State Department of Agriculture & Market Foods found unsatisfactory handling and processing methods associated with Munia Brand Churi Dry Fish. The inspection revealed that the fish, a product of Bangladesh, had been incorrectly eviscerated, which could promote the contamination of dangerous Clostridium botulinum spores. These spores are known to be a cause of botulism which can have serious, even fatal effects if ingested.   

Botulism is a serious condition that can show itself through symptoms such as double or blurred vision, lethargy, slow reflexes and trouble swallowing and breathing.

Munia Brand Dry Fish

The Best Used Before code on the affected packages is April-2013.  They had nationwide sales, but fortunately so far no illnesses have been attributed to this product. Consumers are encouraged not to eat the affected product, and may contact Munia at (718) 366-6580.

Check here for more specific details. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * 

Georgia seafood packagers, King & Prince Seafood Corporation, have issued a recall of 24 Nova Scotia style Cold Smoked Salmon and Sable Fish Lox, Salmon Sushi Fillets, and Salmon Trim.  Each product was vacuum-packed and sold in frozen form beginning on October 4, 2011, but may have been sold thawed at the retail level.

The health issue here is that the packs may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes which, if ingested, has the potential to cause illness in children, the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, and stillbirths or miscarriages in pregnant women.

Check the recall here for details of specific products being recalled. Date codes involved include: 1277W, 1278W, 1279W, 1280W, 1281W, 1283W, 1284W, 1285W, 1286W, 1287W, 1290W, 1291W, 1292W, 1293W, 1294W, 1297W, 1298W, 1299W, 1300W, 1303W, 1306W, 1311W, 1312W, 1313W, 1314W.

Consumers who purchased these products at retail markets should return them to place of purchase.  Markets who purchased the products frozen from King & Prince Seafood should contact them directly at 800-632-5464 or online at nova@kpseafood.com 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * 

GFS® sugar canisters from Diamond Crystal Brands, Inc. was recalled last week when it was discovered that they had mistakenly filled the twelve ounce sugar canisters with non-dairy coffee creamer.  Shipped in cases marked as “GFS® NON-DAIRY COFFEE CREAMER-24/12 ounce - Lot G293 B,” the canisters inside the cases were labeled on the bottom of each containers as “GFS® SUGAR – Lot G293 B.”

GFS Sugar mistakenly contains coffee
creamer and milk allergen

Past the obvious issue of having coffee creamer in a sugar jar, the more serious issue is the presence of sodium caseinate, a milk by-product. People with milk allergies who unknowingly ingest this milk product, could have a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction. 

Check here for more details.

Consumers should check any GFS® sugar canisters they may have and if an incorrect container is discovered, they are encouraged to contact Diamond Crystal Products directly at (800) 654-5115.

Bumbo Baby Seat: An example of an ineffective Corrective Action Plan

The effectiveness of consumer product recalls continues to raise concerns among product safety professionals.  While it is important to announce these recalls to the public, that is really only the tip of the iceberg as a response to addressing the safety issue itself.  In addition to posting recall posters in retail stores, issuing press releases and advising consumers via phone, email or postal service, companies involved in a recall are required to prepare a Corrective Action Plan (CAP).  This CAP is intended to get defective products off the shelves and out of consumers’ hands as quickly and effectively as possible.  Any good CAP includes a resolution that addresses how the company will make sure that the safety hazard is completely resolved and results in a safer product for consumer use.

Here’s the problem – not every CAP is effective.  It’s true that the nation’s foremost safety authority, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is responsible for “approving” these action plans.  It is also true that not every approved plan results in safe products.  The CPSC must work within the confines of the law; so unless the product violates some rule, ban, standard or other regulation enforced by CPSC, a poorly designed product that has the potential to create injury through consumer misuse may continue to be marketed.

This is the case in a childcare product known as the “Bumbo Baby Seat.” Manufactured in South Africa, the seat is molded with dense foam that snuggles the infant into place without the use of seat belts or safety restraints.  The manufacturer intends for the product to be suitable for children 3 to 14 months of age, and to be used on a flat floor surface only.  They also clearly identify the safety concerns right on the product packaging:

“May not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement.”

"WARNING - Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface." 

This is an example of a moment that any product designer and manufacturer should stop and think BEFORE placing such an item on the market. What is the health/safety risk(s) to the child if the consumer does not use the product as intended?  How likely is it that the consumer using the seat will use it incorrectly? Can incorporating a design or material change mitigate this safety risk?

When a manufacturer decides to use a product label to eliminate a safety risk, the result is almost always poor, and the safety of the consumer can still be at risk. 

The lack of a restraint-system in the Bumbo Baby Seat clearly creates a potential safety concern. Infants as young as 3 months of age can fall out of the seat by arching their backs, leaning and rocking back and forth or side to side. The force of these actions only increases with age. These are all perfectly normal and foreseeable actions of a developing infant.  While the manufacturer may feel the lack of a restraint system is a selling feature, a product safety professional would say is a lack of effective risk assessment, as well as a lack in understanding their customers' foreseeable habits of product use.

Today, for the second time, the Bumbo Seat is in the CPSC hot seat. In their November 22, 2011 safety alert, CPSC and Bumbo International issued an advisory, warning parents and caregivers to never use the Bumbo Baby Seats on tables, countertops, chairs or any other raised surfaces.  In 2007, over 1 million Bumbo Baby Seats were recalled due to incidents of falls from the seats. New warning labeling was mandated by CPSC before the seat could be placed back on the market.  Since that 2007 recall, at least forty-five additional fall incidents involving infants 3 to 10 months of age have been reported.  Each of these were falls from a raised surface.  The results of those falls - 14 skull fractures, two concussions and one incident of a broken limb.

Photo:www.gizmo-central.com

According to the CPSC announcement, about 3.85 million of the Bumbo Baby Seats have been sold in the United States since 2003.

A BASIC RISK ASSESSMENT Q & A for the Bumba Baby Seat:

1.  What is the health/safety risk(s) to the child if the consumer does not use the product on a flat, floor surface as intended?  HIGH RISK 

2.  How likely is it that the consumer using the seat will use it incorrectly? HIGHLY LIKELY

3.  Can incorporating a design or material change mitigate this safety risk? YES, consider a  wider, sturdier diameter base, a weighted base, a higher back, a higher front support,  and/or a retraining system – one or more of these design adjustments could help mitigate the problem.  

4.   Does labeling the product with a warning help reduce the safety risk? NOT LIKELY

Simply adding a warning label but neglecting to design-out the safety concern is an unsatisfactory resolution. The CPSC-approved Corrective Action Plan, to simply add a warning, was an example of an ineffective plan.  This second alert, aimed at reminding consumers to read the warning, is just as ineffective.

Smart consumers of children’s products MUST be proactive when purchasing goods, no matter how “cute and cuddly” the product appears.  Safety should always be the main concern. 

CONSIDER & COMMENT:

• How often & how carefully do you read the safety warnings on a product?
• Do you think ALL parents & caregivers read the warnings as completely as you do?
• How likely do think you would be to place this lightweight infant seat on a tabletop or countertop?