Swinging Into Danger: Playsafe Swing Sets Recalled

Summertime is an active time for youngsters.  Little girls are removing their training wheels and learning to ride their two-wheel bikes; boys are exploring how high they can make the backyard swing go while mom stands by trying to control her overprotective "mom genes" from spoiling the fun.  But those who purchased the Playsafe Dartmouth Swing Set, manufactured by Pacific-Cycle Inc. in Wisconsin, actually do have something to worry about.

It seems that the yellow plastic sling-seat can unexpectantly break during use, creating a fall hazard for children. The company has received 5 reports of the seats breaking resulting in minor bruises and scratches. They were sold from January to May 2011 only at Toys R Us stores across the USA, and this recall covers 5,500 products that sold for $270 each.

Two yellow sling seats break prematurelyPhoto: CPSC

Model #:        22-PS340

Date code:    FSD0115AA and FSD0315AA

Appearance:  Swing set has six metal legs, a variety of yellow plastic compoenents that 

                    include:

• Two sling seat
• Glider for two
• Triangle hanging rings
• Lawn swing for four
• Plastic slide

Pacific Cycle is providing free improved replacement seats.  To prevent a chance of injury, remove the seats from the play set immediately and contact Pacific Cycle at (877) 564-2261 or via their website.  Consumers can also contact them via email at customerservice@pacific-cycle.com.

Martha Stewart Collection™ Creates Possible Burn Hazard

Martha Stewart fans are loyal to the core.  If Martha puts her name behind it, it MUST be good.  But a recent product recall of a whooping 960,000 cast iron pots may give those faithful followers reason to pause.

On August 18, 2011, Macy’s Merchandising Group in New York announced a product recall for the Martha Stewart Collection™ Enamel Cast Iron Casseroles. The company has received two complaints that the enamel on the outside of the pots can crack during use, sending the piece of enamel coating shooting through the air like a bat out of h…., well you get the picture.  This unexpected projectile presents a laceration or burn risk to anyone standing in its way.

Photo: CPSC

The casseroles in question were sold for $25-$170 at Macy’s retail stores, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Marine Corps Exchange (MCX), and Navy Exchange Service (NEX) locations across the USA. The cast iron pots (shown here in red) come in three sizes and nine colors.

Sizes:  7, 5.5, and 2.75 quarts

Colors:  Blue, brown, cobalt blue, green, mustard, red, sand, teal and white; all have cream-colored inner surface

The Martha Stewart Collection™ is printed on both the bottom of the casserole and on the handle of the lid. Those sold between June 2007 and June 2011 are involved in this recall. Macy’s is providing full refunds to anyone contacting them at (888) 257-5949 or via their website at www.macys.com.

Vita Food Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova Salmon Recalled by FDA

Alert Type:                FDA Recall

What:                        Vita Classic Premium Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova 

                                  Salmon (8,088 packages involved)

Packaged by:             Food Products, Inc. (Chicago, ILL)

Hazard:                      Possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.

Details of Hazard:      Listeria monocytogenes can cause flu-like illness in healthy adults, but can lead to serious illness, or death in young children and individuals with compromised immune systems. It has also been known to cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Illness or Injury:         None to date

Where Sold:              

• Publix stores: Alabama,  Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee 

• Safeway stores:  California, District of Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington

• Meijer stores: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio

• Vons stores: California

• Genuardi’s stores: Pennsylvania, New Jersey

• Winn Dixie stores: Florida

• Edgewater Produce store: Chicago, IL on or after July 25, 2011 may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 

FDA also warns that an "additional 828 packages of this same product have either possibly been sold or are being offered for sale at various grocery stores in the Buffalo, NY and Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan areas and Northeast Ohio."



Product Packaging:       See photo. 

Sell Date Info:             The SELL BY Date and Code of DEC 15 2011 01961B is printed in see-though panel on front of package.

4-5 slices (total 4 oz.) of smoked salmon per vacuum-sealed package. Package size 7¾“ wide x  7¼” high x ¼” thick

Photo: FDA

Special Instructions:   PER FDA ALERT:

“If any consumer purchased a product with that SELL BY Date and Code from a retail store on or after July 25, 2011 he or she should not consume any of the Vita Classic Premium Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova Salmon product. Then, the Company asks that it be sealed in plastic bag or placed in some similar container and returned to the retailer from which it was purchased.”

Contact Info:                1-800-989-8482 on weekdays from 8am to 5pm (CT)

Anyone who has eaten the affected product and is experiencing any unusual or severe flu-like symptoms should visit an emergency room immediately or contact your doctor for advice.