Halloween Safety Do's & Dont's

The nation’s leading authority on consumer product safety, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds parents and caregivers about safety on Halloween.  

Injuries on this day and evening will likely include children falling due to unlit paths or costumes that restricts their ability to walk freely, to serious burns from open flames of Halloween lights mixed with flammable fabrics. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that Halloween is among the top 5 days of the year for candle-related fires.  

To avoid these hazards and enjoy a fund, safe holiday, read the Consumer Product Safety Commissions latest list of do’s and don’t on Halloween.

CPSC’s  Halloween safety check (pdf)

CPSC’s Pumpkin carving safety tips are found here.

Consumer Health vs. the Button-cell Battery

Technology is wonderful.  It has not only improved our everyday lives, but it has expanded our world dramatically. There are times, however, when manufacturers incorporate new technology into consumer goods before fully considering the consequences to the consumer.  This is particularly dangerous when producing products for children and the elderly.

Is your child at risk?

In the risk assessment business we often talk about foreseeable use and misuse (or in the case of toddlers and young children, foreseeable creative use.). What this really means is that any new product design must be evaluated in relationship to the developmental and typical behavior patterns of the end-user. Children develop through clearly defined stages of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development.  One can safety foresee that toys sold to children under three years old, for example, are almost always going to be chewed, sucked, pulled, twisted, banged, thrown, placed into any opening in the body, or have any appendage placed into any opening in the toy. That’s just what toddler do - all day long.

As children grow older, they tend to  try to test the limits of any given toy. They may try using it in a new way, like wearing a plastic bucket as a hat.  They want to take things apart and see if they can put it back together again.  This often results in a small part that didn’t start out as, nor was ever intended to be, a small part.

We know that caregiver vigilance is an important component to child safety. Realistically a caregiver does not have their eyes on young children every minute of every hour of every day.  In fact, some studies have shown that mother and child are awake and home together (supervised) only about 6.50 hours per day.  That leaves 17.5 hours per day that a child is not directly in the caregiver’s sight.  The explorative nature of young children, combined with the moments of non-supervision is what might be called “The Danger Zone.”  These are moments when plastic totes are pulled over the head to cover nose and mouth, or small parts, like small button-cell batteries, are swallowed.  And this is also where our exciting new technology becomes a risk.

If the child has access to a toy or household item that is powered by button cells batteries, a particularly dangerous scenario is present.  Dr. Toby Litovitz , a physician in Washington, D.C. has been gathering incident-report data from the National Battery Ingestion Hotline, set up through the National Capital Poison Center. Her study of this data shows a dramatic increase in incidents in which swallowing button-cell batteries caused acute injuries and fatalities have dramatically increased. In fact, they have increased sevenfold since 1985!

Dr. Litovitz’s research revealed that the majority of the serious injuries occurred in children four years or younger; but older adults whose vision or cognitive awareness is compromised have also been reported in increasing numbers. They often mistake the small discs for candy or medication. Batteries can become accessible in everyday household products like the TV remote control, toys and games, musical greeting cards, flashing jewelry, and calculators.   In the Unites States alone, at least 3,500 reported incidents annually are related to people swallowing button-cell batteries.

These small batteries are a growing concern. At only 3/4 inch (20 mm) or less in diameter, parents may be completely oblivious to the fact that their child has just swallow the battery. In fact, according to the data studied by Dr. Litovitz, ninety-two percent of fatal incidents, and fifty-six percent of major incidents occurred with the ingestion being unobserved.

When are small batteries such a threat to human health? 

In the majority of the cases, the button-cell battery will pass quickly through the body and be rid of in the stool. Still, sometimes the small battery gets caught in the esophagus where it can really do some damage on the lining tissue. The moist lining of the gastrointestinal tract produces the chemical hydroxide around the battery which serves as a current conductor. This lets current flow through the battery as it rests on the lining. This can result in burns to the throat and esophagus.  The longer the battery remains in the system, the more damage it can do all along the intestinal tract and stomach.  To put the severity in perspective, a battery allowed to remain in the system for just two hours can cause long-term or permanent damage. 

National Poison Control

And here’s the rub.  If parents/caregivers are not even aware the battery has been swallowed, this damage may be happening without them knowing it.  The child may begin to show signs of a tummy ache, or even a slight fever, but the fact that the child swallow a dangerous battery is not likely going to be the first thing a parent thinks of. In the meantime, the current is at work in the gastrointestinal system, completely unbeknownst to the parent, or even the ER physician.  This is what makes the diagnosis of the condition so difficult. According to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the nations leading authority on consumer product safety, more than 66% of these button-cell related incidents were  initially misdiagnosed. With time of treatment being so critical, misdiagnosis can mean long-term damage to breathing, vocal cords or colon walls.

Dr. Litovitz found one other surprising and troubling trend.  She discovered that the most dangerous battery type was actually the 3 volt batteries that were 20mm or larger in diameter. Since the button-cell batteries may pass through a child’s system quickly without any harm at all, the larger, higher voltage batteries have a higher chance of getting stuck in the  esophagus.  Many of these battery-related incidents require major surgery, and even after surgery, permanent damage remains. Deaths have resulted in the worst cases.  

Is there a solution?

As the consumer good manufacturers rush to satisfy public demand for newer, better and more powerful technology, the continued increase in these serious injuries appears to be inevitable.  For this reason, many countries including the USA, EU member states, Japan, Korea and Australia have been buzzing about creating safety specifications for the use of  these batteries. The Button Cell Battery Safety Act of 2011 (SB1165) was introduced in June 2011. The intent of the bill is to protect consumers against the hazards associated with ingestion of the small batteries by mandating that the CPSC create standards that require child-resistant closures on battery-operated consumer goods.

Beyond that, a public education plan should be developed and implemented to raise public awareness of the potential risk of kids or elderly vs. battery-operated products. Asking the right questions is essential to quick diagnosis. It is unlikely that this serious type of scenario can be fully eliminated completely, but with more efforts by manufacturers to make batteries inaccessible, and increased awareness of parents, caregivers, pediatricians and ER doctors -  the numbers might be significantly reduced.

The National Capital Poison Center has developed a list of safety precautions to follow in the case of a swallowed battery,  You can find these by opening this link. It might be wise to print this out, study it and educate your family on the serious nature of batteries if swallowed.   The  center in Washington, DC, operates a 24/7 hotline for battery ingestion cases. They can be reached by phone at 202-625-3333. To find your local poison center call 1-800-222-1222.

Photo: Brick/Getty

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Don't forget your pet when it comes to batteries.  The same scenario that proves so dangerous to our children or eldery, also apply to our pets.  If you suspect your pet has swallowed a battery, act fast and call the ASPCA Animal Poiron Control center's 24/7 emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Recent Food-Related Recalls Cause Concern

Although the media is much more likely to set off all the bells and whistles for a toy recall, the Federal Food and Drug Association’s (FDA) food safety alerts seem to get much less attention.  From September 1 through October 24, 2011 CPSC announced eight recalled toys covering a total quantity of 1,863,805 units. The safety issues involved in these eight recalls include a laceration injury, 2 potential small part choking incidents, 1 lead paint incident and one potential suffocation concern.  These recalls were prompted by one injury and three child-involved incidents where no injury occurred, as well as toy manufacturers' own product integrity program checks and balances.

On the other hand, during that same time period, the FDA has announced a whooping 45 food-related recalls!  These food alerts included violations that could result in illness, reactions and infections that range from serious to life threatening.  The FDA recalls rarely list a quantity of units involved, so it might be reasonable to assume that these potentially expose many more consumers to harm than those toys recalled during the same time period.

Take a look at what the last fifty-five days of food recalls brought to light:

• Wire pieces in snacks
• Undeclared milk
• Undeclared peanuts
• Undeclared sulfites
• Undeclared wheat
• Undeclared gluten
• Undeclared egg
• Undeclared tree nuts
• Undeclared shrimp
• Uneviserated fish
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Salmonella
• Elevated levels of histamine

Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella are both organisms that can cause serious to fatal infections in young children, as well as individuals who are elderly, frail or have compromised immune systems. Listeria infection has also been known to cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Elevated levels of histamine in food can cause various reactions, which may not be limited to a burning sensation in the mouth, facial swelling, rash, hives or itchy skin.  Others might experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.  Wire mesh or small fragments of wire pieces caused scratching and scraping in and around the mouth, gums and throat.

Twenty-two undeclared allergens, 15 cases of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, and eight cases of Salmonella contamination make up the majority of the food health warnings.  While smaller food producers were called out in these alerts, big players like General Mills, Nestle, Kroger, Kraft, Pepperidge Farms and Quaker Oats were also culprits.  With numbers and name brands like these being recalled within only 55 days, it is surprising that more attention to FDA’s failing report card does make the headlines.  In fact, for the most part, they barely made a blip on the media radar.

The FDA is the federal agency held responsible for overseeing most of the food supply in the United States. Their goal remains to protect the public health by ensuring the nation’s food supply is safe, correctly labeled and packaged.  It’s a tough job, since they face increasing challenges in this world of globalization. Innovative new food and animal drug technologies seem to be changing faster than the rules and regulations can address. More and more people are becoming sensitive to airborne and foodborne pathogens, making undeclared allergens a serious concern.  The escalated problem with obesity in our children and adults provides a petri dish for many chronic medical conditions.  Surprisingly, the FDA states that intentional contamination of food is also a growing concern.

On January 4, 2011, the President signed into law the new Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA).  This was the first major revamping of the food safety & protection system in almost three-quarters of a century!  The new FSMA enhances FDA authority, encourages partnerships and expands protection system from “farm to table.” (1) Hopefully these new provisions will help reduce the alarming quantity of food safety contaminations that are making their way to our pantry shelves.

  

(1) See details on FSMA at http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/fsma/default.htm.)

Child Frog Mask targeted in recall

Today’s toy recall is one that could make SNL’s “Really by Seth & Amy” parody segment highlights.  Toy designers alone are not blame for this one. Did Target Corporation’s quality assurance, risk assessment and safety experts take the day off when this Children’s Frog Mask was approved for production?

www.cpsc.gov

A child who wraps this stuffed mask around their face, will be able to see through the two eye holes at the top of the mask. What they won’t be able to do is BREATH!  Those wearing the mask covering their nose and mouth, will only be “ribbiting” a short time until they start to “croak!”

That’s right – where are the breathing holes? According to the CPSC recall notice, covering a child’s face with this mask presents a potential suffocation hazard. DUH! Target has announced the retrieval attempt for about 3,400 of the green and yellow frog masks, sold exclusively at Target stores in August and September 2011. The masks were sold for a mere $1 each.

The UPC code 06626491474 is marked on a colorful tag attached to the mask.

It’s a bit of an embarrassing moment, but consumers who actually purchased this mask should stop using it immediately and return the product to any local target store for a refund. 

California law will soon address human trafficking issue

California will soon take one step forward in it's efforts to address sexual and human trafficking within manufacturing supply chains. Consumers who are fighting diligently against this evil practice commend California for leading the way in this fight.  Government and consumer sanctions against manufacturers, who turn a blind eye to trafficking in exchange for a better bottom line, are powerful ways to begin to chip away at this existing global evil practice.  Be a smart AND socially responsible consumer. Check a company's social responsibility commitment before buying. Use the power of your dollar to join the fight, by purchasing only from manufacturers who hold their employees and suppliers accountable to human respect and dignity.

Photo from www.issues.cc

California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010

SB657

Effective January 1, 2012, every retail seller and manufacturer doing business in California and having annual worldwide gross receipts that exceed one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) must disclose its efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking (SHT) from its direct supply chain for tangible goods offered for sale.

Details about this disclosure:

1.  Must be posted on company website

2.  If no company website is available, then the disclosure must be made available within 30  days of a consumer's request.

2.   A link to the disclosure information must be placed on website homepage

3.   An extensive SHT program is not being required, but companies are required to disclose (at minimum) to what extent, if any, they do in each of the following areas:

• Identify Risks in supply chain, sources, products and services
• Conduct unannounced audits (third-party verification is most acceptable method)
• Obligate your direct suppliers (and their supply chain) to certify that they comply with country’s laws on slavery and human trafficking
• Develop internal accountability practices for employees and suppliers who fail to comply
• Train employees in charge of supply chain management, to understand what slavery and human trafficking includes and how to mitigate the risk is in their supply chain.

4.  The Franchise Tax Board will supply the Attorney General with a list of retail sellers and manufacturers required to disclose.

5.  The list will be based on tax returns filed for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

6.  Each list will be submitted annually to the Attorney General by November 30, 2012, and each November 30 thereafter.

7.  The list will be derived from original tax returns received by the Franchise Tax Board on or before December 31, 2011, and each December 31 thereafter.   

8.  Violations enforced by the Attorney General.

LittleLife® discovers child carrier fall hazard

No one can dispute the healthy benefits of outdoor play for most young child.  Adding family adventure times to that scenario increases not only the physical health, but also the emotional health of youngsters.  Hiking, camping, going on fun outdoor explores with mom & dad are the foundation for some of the best childhood memories.  LittleLife products, designed by the UK Company Lifemarque, have helped to create these outdoor adventures for the many years.

This week they hit a rocky path when they announced the recall of some of their LittleLife Discoverer Child Carriers, sold from January through July 2011 in retail store and online web-stores in the USA (40 ea) and Canada (10). The green and gray carrier was marked with the number LS55060 underneath the sewn in care label.

Lifemarque acted quickly to recall the products before any injuries occurred.  It appears that these fifty carriers in the recall were missing the bolts that secure the main frame of the carrier to the metal supporting stand.  Without those bolts in place, the carrier can detach from the stand and fall backwards creating a fall hazard to a child in the carrier.

For more details on the carrier itself and where it was sold, see the CPSC recall here, or view Health Canada's press release here.

Ways to contact LittleLife for resolution:

By phone at (877) 922-5462

Via UK email at customer.services@littlelife.co.uk

Via USA website at www.littlelife.com

Guidecraft ‘s 46th Birthday Marred by Twist ‘N Sort Toy Recall

www.guidecraft.com

In 1964, a tiny tinker’s wood shop in Minnesota was the start of an American tradition in wooden toys.  Guidecraft started their small wooden toy business with a simple line of ten toys. Their mission was also straightforward; produce “smart, beautifully crafted wood products, which allow children's minds and imaginations room to truly wonder and grow.” (1)

Celebrating their 46th anniversary with a CPSC safety recall was probably not in the party plans. Unfortunately, that is exactly what took place this week, as Guidecraft announced the recall of about 760 units of the Twist ‘N Sort wooden manipulative toy.

Photo: www.cpsc.gov 

Although no injuries have been reported to the company, Guidecraft recognized that some of the small pegs in three of the four wooden sorting posts (on a select quantity of the toys) have the potential to detach from the posts. When these small pegs detach, they become tempting for a toddler to easily mouth, creating a potential choking hazard. 

The affected Twist ‘N Sort toy shown above is labeled on under the base with item number “712.”  This $20 sorting manipulative was sold throughout the United States at toy, gift, and children specialty retail and online stores from September 2009 through November 2010.

Anyone who has the Twist ‘N Sort described above should stop using the product and contact Guidecraft for exchange or refund.

Guidecraft can be contacted by phone at (888) 924-1308 or via their website at www.guidecraft.com. One word of caution – Checking the company’s website this morning (10/21/2011) there appears to be no mention of this recall at all. It appears that the only way to contact them is through their normal customer service form. 

⁽¹⁾www.guidecraft.com

BOB® Trailers, Inc. Recalls Jogging Strollers for Choking Hazard

In February of 2011, B.O.B® Trailers Inc. recalled 357,000 infant strollers due to a strangulation hazard presented by the accessible drawstring on the stroller’s shade canopy.

Last week, B.O.B® Trailers Inc., CPSC and Health Canada recently joined forces again to recall almost 438,700 single and double jogging strollers after it was discovered that the backing patch of the embroidered logo on the strollers shade canopies could be pulled off, creating a potential choking hazard for children under 3 years of age.  It appears that this backing patch becomes much more easily accessible when an infant car seat unit is in place on the stroller, lifting the youngster within reach of this backing.

The recall involves strollers with the BOB®, Ironman®, and Stroller Strides® embroidered logos.

Photo: CPSC

Strollers produced between November 1998 and November 2010 are involved in this recall.  NOTE: Units produced after October 2006 will have a white label on the back leg of the product. Those with no date label are also involved in this recall.

The strollers were sold for a retail price of $280-$600 at U.S. and Canadian retail stores like REI, Babies R’Us, sporting goods and children’s product stores, as well as Amazon.com.

Sold at: REI, Babies R' Us and other children's product and sporting goods stores nationwide and Amazon.com between November 1998 and October 2011 for between $280 and $600.

For further details and photos, and instructions for removing the back patch:

Check the CPSC recall notice here.

Check the Health Canada recall notice here.

Check the BOB Trailers recall notice here.

IKEA recalls 58,00 play tents for safety hazard

What kid doesn’t love a play tent?  Remember those pop-up tents with rip-stop nylon and flexible rods that pop out of the package so aggressively they practically decapitate anyone standing too close? Dramatic play with an extra dab of drama. Tents can provide an exciting space for a creative child to conjure up many an enchanted adventure.

But the enchantment of IKEA’s BUSA style children’s folding tent has lost it’s luster. Ikea North America Service has just announced a recall of almost 58,000 multi-colored, cube-shaped playtents that were manufactured in Vietnam, exclusively for the well-known furniture establishment. Sold in IKEA stores across the USA and Canada, the tents have been found to have a potential laceration and puncture hazard. 

Three consumer reports cite that a steel rod from the tent’s frame broke, sending sharp ends of steel through the thin synthetic fabric during play. One child suffered an injury. Sold briefly from August through September 2011 at a cost of about $8.00 each, the quick recall is meant to address the safety concerns before any more harm comes to consumers.

Photo: CPSC

Here’s what to look for:

• Cloth label sewn into an interior tent seam
• Model #90192009, BUSA and IKEA are printed on the label
• Tent dimensions are : L 28.25 inch x W 28.25 inch X H 28.25

To be safe, stop using the tents and bring them to an IKEA store for a complete refund. IKEA can also be reached by toll-free phone at (888) 966-4532, or at their website here.

Canadian customers can view the recall information at Health Canada here. Health Canada's press release is available at here.

Are product bans the answer to consumer safety?

Chicago, Illinois became the site of the first city council to pass an ordinance banning the sale of infant crib bumper pads in their city.

Parents have used crib bumpers for years to adorn their child’s cribs.  These bumper pads are designed to keep an infant comfortable should he or she wiggle into the hard wooden or metal side or end rails of the crib. However, the bumpers have actually been named as the culprit in many crib deaths over the years.  The infants can become entangled in the bumpers, or bumper ties holding the pads in place. Being developmentally unable to free themselves, the result can be suffocation or strangulation.

Many parents seem to forget that cribs are not “furniture” in the true sense of the word.  They are not decorative pieces for a child’s room. They are not babysitters or playpens.  Cribs are designed as a safety tool used to keep infants safe while sleeping.  Adding bumpers, quilts, or soft-stuffed toys can defeat the safety function, creating a potential deathbed instead. 

Photo: USAbabyutah

This writer is not convinced that a city, state or federal ban on bumpers is needed, but apparently some consumer safety advocates convinced the Chicago city council that it is. The coucil passed city ordinance #02011-5505, which amends Chapter 7-36 (Toy Safety) of the Chicago Municipal Code to add Section 112 banning the sale or lease of “any crib bumper pad as a separate item, or as an accessory to a crib in the city of Chicago.”  Not only did they ban the sale/lease of such bumpers, but they created a fine of not less than $100, and not more than $500 for each offense. The ordinance is set to take effect 180 days after the official publication in the Municipal Code of Chicago.

Manufacturers who have been working diligently to build a better baby bumper may be confused by this ban. Take for example the winner of the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.  This manufacturer created an exclusive mesh fabric bumper that uses Air Channel Technology (A.C.T.™) to promote air flow through the bumper to prevent suffocation hazards. The Chicago ban does not specify any exemptions to the ban - so even this new design is apparently included in the no-sale zone.

Photo: One Step Ahead

Educational brochures & posters in pediatrician offices, crib safety information at hospital and private parenting classes, or public media announcements may be a much more effective way to curb the use of crib bumpers. Work with retailers and webstore marketers to stop decorating cribs with unsafe accessories. Many parents take their cues from retailers, so they MUST bear some responsibility to help inform new parents of these dangers. The goal is to educate parents across the USA as to why this is not a safe choice for their child’s crib.  Punishing manufacturers for producing products that parent’s have demanded is, in this writer’s view, not a fair approach to the problem. Education is key.  Inform parents and caregivers, and let the decrease of demand take its course.

Some consumer advocates will shout, “What about those children who will be injured or even die in the meantime!?” To this, a dose of reality may be in order. Be honest – how many of us used bumpers on our children’s cribs?  Come on – hands up now.  We can all be thankful that our children were not one of those involved in a fatal crib incident. We can be smarter going forward. We can tell our grown children about this risk when they become parents.  Consumers must bear some responsibility for purchasing choices.  Parents have a responsibility to keep their children as safe as possible as they grow.  Caregivers have a responsibility to be trained and informed about current safety issues, before they accept responsibility to care for someone else’s children.

Regulation after regulation does not train better parents or caregivers.  It makes them believe that it is the government’s responsibility to keep their children safe.

J.C. Penny recalls Yu Wei drop-side cribs

UPDATE: Health Canada released a press release earlier this week, joining the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in recalling any of these Yu Wei drop-side cribs that may have found their way into Canadian consumers' homes. J.C. Penny has knowledge of twelve cribs being sold online to Canadian customers.

Access Health Canada recall information at this link.

J.C. Penny recalls Yu Wei drop-side cribs

J.C. Penny Purchasing Corporation has announced the recall of about 8,000 drop-side cribs produced by Yu Wei Company, Limited of Taiwan. Penny’s distributed two styles of these drop-side cribs via their website and mail order catalog from January 2006 through December 2010.

Photo: CPSC

It is now commonly known that the hardware, allowing one side of some cribs to move up & down for easier access to an infant, can become worn over time resulting in the breakdown, separation or unexpected release of the side rail. Once the rail is out of its correct position, a gap between side rail and mattress becomes accessible to the infant. Youngsters can wiggle into this gap during play or sleep and be unable to free themselves.  This leads to head entrapment, which far too often results in strangulation and death. An infant can fall out of the safety crib if the side rail drops unexpectedly.  Falls can cause head trauma or other physical injuries.

Drop-side cribs remain a serious concern for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), who banned the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs earlier in 2011. (See 2/6/2011 blog on Baby Crib Safety-Part 1).  It often takes years for these drop-side problems to emerge, given the wear & tear a crib often endures. In the past cribs have been a treasured hand-me-down tradition, but that practice has been thwarted by the mounting evidence of the dangers presented by worn out crib hardware, or using cribs that are not in completely sound condition. Incorrect assembly of a crib, or “fixing” a crib with duck tape and spare bolts has also been identified as culprits of crib death incidents.

 In the case of the Yu Wei cribs, distributed by J.C. Penny, nine incidents of failing drop-side rails have been reported.  One child suffered from scratches on the arm.  J.C. Penny has joined with CPSC to announce the recall of two styles of cribs (shown below).  Each crib came in three colors: antique white, pecan and dark cherry.

Yu Wei Crib Model #	Yu Wei Crib Style	Date Codes
343-8225	Scroll Crib	01/2006 – 12/2010
343-9117	Lauren Crib	01/2007 – 12/2010

             The model numbers and date codes are visible on inner side of crib ends.

Defective or worn out cribs can be fatal, so customers who are currently using these particular cribs should stop using them immediately and contact the manufacturer, Yu Wei, for a no-charge retrofit kit. Yu Wei can be reached at (877) 806-8190 or at their website: www.yuweicribrecalls.com.

Yu Wei has also made an email option available to consumers.  Email them at yuweiparts@aol.com to order the free repair kit, intended to immobilize the side panel.

Kraft recalls Velveeta Microwavable Snack Cups

There are Velveeta lovers in this world, and there are mac ‘n cheese lovers.  Then there are those really special culinary gourmets who combine the two for a tasty treat.  Kraft Foods Global, the makers of Velveeta, is hands-down an institution with the folks who opt for the tasty combo.

Sadly, Kraft announced a recall on September 30^th for four styles of the Shells & Cheese Single Serve Microwavable Cups. About 137,000 products have been shipped for distribution onto retail shelves in the United States. Kraft is pulling specific batches off the shelves due to the possible presence of thin wire pieces inside. The recall stands in line behind Pepperidge Farms, whose Baked Naturals Sesame Sticks, who issues a similar recall on September 23, 2011 when some small, thin pieces of wire were found in their products.  Unlike the Pepperidge Farms recall, Kraft has received no customer complaints or reports of contamination, but are recalling the products to protect the consumers.

Name of Product	Size	Best When Used By Dates (look on bottom of package)	UPC
Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Microwaveable Cups	2.39 oz. cup	16 MAY 2012	2100002322
Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Four Pack Microwaveable Cups	4 x 2.39 oz. cup	24 APR 2012 to 16 MAY 2012	2100002339
Velveeta Shells & Cheese Made with 2% Milk Microwaveable Cups	2.19 oz cup	25 MAR 2012 to 30 MAR 2012	2100002323
Velveeta Shells & Cheese Made with 2% Milk Four Pack Microwaveable Cups	4 x 2.19 oz cup	29 MAR 2012 to 12 APR 2012	2100002946
Velveeta Rotini & Cheese Broccoli Microwaveable Cups	2.44 oz cup	29 APR 2012 to 14 MAY 2012	2100002318

Products affected are ONLY those with the “best when used by” dates indicated above.  Consumers who may have already purchased the product should not use them, and immediately return them to the place of purchase for exchange or refund.

Any other questions can be addressed to Kraft Foods at (800) 308-1841.