Ice cream scooper turned ninja weapon = product recall

There are two things that are irresistible to a great many home cooks: Ice cream and Pampered Chef® parties.  In late December 2011 the very popular Pampered Chef® aluminum ice cream dippers had a problem.  The normally docile scoopers were found to be able to transformed into projectiles capable of injury to the innocent user.

The scooper's secret weapon is the non-toxic “defrosting” liquid that fills the handle.  This liquid warms from the heat of the user's hand during use, which in turn makes it easier to scoop out frozen ice cream.  However, if the handles themselves are placed into warm water, the cap & seal can loosen and pressure is created inside the handle to project the seal and cap with “significant force.”  Anyone standing in the way of this projectile is in danger of receiving lacerations or bruising if contact is made.

For this reason, The Pampered Chef® is recalling 20,000 of the popular dippers that sold from July 2010 through September 2010.

Customers who purchased the dippers during this time frame via the Pampered Chef® website (www.pamperedchef.com) or from an authorized Pampered Chef® consultant should call Pampered Chef® by phone at (877) 917-2433.  A replacement /refund form can also be completed on line at this link.

Target Recalls Circo Childrens’ Travel Cases due to excessive lead

Target’s Circo 17” Children’s Travel Cases, sold in Target retail stores as well as the company’s online store (www.target.com) are being pulled off the shelves and recalled back from consumers for violating the federal lead limit in children’s products.

Approximately 139,000 units were sold from April through August 2011 for about $21 each.  

The recalled designs, shown in the photo below, come in two designs. One airplane design comes in both blue and red, with a soft-stuffed blue airplane secured to the zipper pull.  The second design is flowers and butterflies on either a teal or pink background. These both have a blue soft-stuffed stuffed butterfly on the zipper pull.  Look for the brand name “Circo” on the fabric handle.

Travel cases with the following UPC and date codes are involved in the recall:  

Circo girls’ 17” travel case

- Pink or teal

- UPC Code 618842135844

- Date Codes beginning with 01/11 thru 08/11

Circo boys’ 17” travel case

- Red or blue

- UPC Code 618842135868

- Date Codes beginning with 01/11 thru 08/11

Consumers should return any affected cases to any Target store for a full refund.Target can be contact via phone at (800) 440-0680, or at their website at www.target.com