Originally published in the Lawyers and Settlements on Mar 09, 2010 by Gordon Gibb
Montreal, PQ: A food additive found in literally thousands of food products could be subject to the largest ever food recall in North America, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The claim was carried this morning in a report by the Montreal Gazette. A batch of flavor enhancer manufactured by Basic Food Flavors...
Originally published in the The Associated Press on Mar 04, 2010 by Cain Burdeau
U.S. Sen. David Vitter has called for federal officials to do a more thorough review of the deaths of several people who lived in homes that contained smelly, possibly toxic Chinese drywall. Federal officials at the Consumer Product Safety Commission said they have investigated and found no link between the drywall and the deaths of eight people...
Originally published in the Energy Collective on Feb 03, 2010 by Joseph Romm
This Huffpo repost is by Richard Seireeni Brand, Architect, and author of - The Gort Cloud: The Invisible Force Powering Today’s Most Visible Green Brands. Seventh Generation may be the market leader in eco-friendly household cleaning products and is unquestionably dedicated to environmental and social responsibility, but...
Originally published in the CNN on Jan 26, 2010 by Saundra Young
Millions of needles used in ports implanted under the skin of chronically ill patients are being voluntarily recalled, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday. More than 2 million Huber needles, manufactured by Nipro Medical Corp. in Japan and distributed by Exelint International Corp., headquartered in Los Angeles, California, are affected. Huber needles...
Originally published in the WJBF-TV on Jan 12, 2010 by Staff
They may look pretty, but test results show certain pieces of children’s jewelry contain alarming levels of the heavy metal cadmium. Jeff Weidenhamer, Chemistry Professor, Ashland University: “Cadmium, compared to lead, is more toxic. It’s a known carcinogen. It is highly toxic to adults and to children. There’s recent research indicating that...
Originally published in the Apparel News on Jan 08, 2010 by Robert S. Mahl
You might not be designing or manufacturing childrenswear, but if you are shipping in or just distributing childrenswear and it is found to contain lead, then you have a huge liability. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has stated it clearly in its Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA): It is the children’s apparel importer—not the manufacturer—that is solely responsible for any lead-content recalls...
Originally published in the Cincinnati.com on Jan 06, 2010 by Janice Morse
The infant car seat that was supposed to protect a baby girl ended up harming her and leaving her "permanently disfigured," a Butler County couple claims in a lawsuit filed in Common Pleas Court. "She will be scarred forever," says Dana Luther, a Cincinnati attorney who filed the suit against Graco Children's Products Inc. and its parent company, Newell Rubbermaid Inc., of Atlanta...
Originally published in the U.S. News & World Report on Dec 10, 2009 by Dennis Thompson
Parents are crowding into stores this holiday season, searching for toys that will prompt smiles, cheers and hugs from their kids. But parents also need to keep in mind that there are potentially dangerous toys on store shelves, so they must use judgment and common sense with every purchase. "There are still some items that fall through the cracks," said Liz Hitchcock, a public health advocate for U.S. PIRG, who wrote this year's Trouble in Toyland report for the non-profit consumer protection group. "Consumers buying toys should be careful of what they buy...
Originally published in the Globe and Mail on Dec 03, 2009 by Carly Weeks and Gloria Galloway
Liberal senators are attempting to amend new legislation on consumer product safety after lobbying by toy companies that fear it could damage their business. A Senate committee examining the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, Bill C-6, this week proposed amendments that critics say would create significant delays and substantially limit the government's ability to remove...
Originally published in the Gasgoo automotive news on Nov 17, 2009 by George Gao
China’s battery and electric car manufacturer BYD Co. announced its plan yesterday to build China’s largest vehicle-testing center with investment of 1.5 billion yuan ($219.7 million), China Daily reported. This move is aimed to lift its vehicle quality and R&D capability. The auto-testing...
Originally published in the NEWS.com.au on Nov 11, 2009 by Kim Wheatley
SOUTH Australian authorities have yet to ban a baby stroller responsible for amputating the fingers of toddlers overseas. One million strollers made by British firm Maclaren were recalled in the U.S. yesterday. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said: "Consumers should stop using the products immediately unless otherwise instructed." The move follows authorities receiving 15 reports of children placing fingers in the stroller's hinge mechanism and 12 reports of fingertip amputation...
Originally published in the Christian Science Monitor on Nov 09, 2009 by Andrew Heining
Nokia, the world’s largest cellphone manufacturer, on Monday announced a recall of some 14 million faulty cellphone chargers. The problem? The plastic outer casing on the chargers can separate, exposing the internals (read: shocky parts). How can you tell if your ringtone-spewing-candybar’s charger could jolt you? Nokia says...
Originally published in the the ABC News on Nov 04, 2009 by Lisa Stark and Kate McCarthy
Consumer's Union put 19 products under the microscope to test for levels of the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA. What it found was a wide range of results -- little or no BPA in some juice boxes and infant formula packaged in paper, but what Consumer's Union considered high levels in a number of canned goods, including Del Monte green beans and Progresso Vegetable Soup. "Our studies show that BPA...
Originally published in the Xinhua on Nov 03, 2009 by Liu Hong
Two years after the so-called tainted Chinese toys and pet food scare, another Chinese manufactured product is causing safety concerns in the United States. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said last week that it had received about 1,900 complaints from U.S. homeowners who claimed that Chinese drywall had made them...
Originally published in the EMS1.com on Oct 29, 2009 by Bob Waddell
Every Halloween we worry about a child being hit by a car, being hospitalized for hypothermia, being treated for a possible poisoning, or some other event that turns a fun celebration into a negative occurrence. Prevention and preparation are key for making an event safe and memorable. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission...
Originally published in the Home Textiles Today on Oct 27, 2009 by Staff
The Home Fashion Products Association has sent an alert noting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a policy outlining its current guidance on testing and certification of children’s products for compliance with lead content limits. A copy of the statement of policy can be found on the “what’s new” section of the CPSIA website at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html#bytopic. The policy...
Originally published in the MiamiHerald.com on Oct 19, 2009 by Lesley Clark
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is urging Florida lawmakers to find out whether leftover federal funds could be used to help homeowners with tainted Chinese drywall. In a letter sent late Friday to state House and Senate leaders, the Florida Democrat asks lawmakers to adopt a program like one in Louisiana that sets aside $5 million in Community Development Block Grants to help homeowners...
Originally published in the Sun-Sentinel.com on Oct 09, 2009 by Diane C. Lade
DeVilbiss Air Power Co. has reissued a 2006 voluntary recall of about 700,000 power washers and air compressors, as the Tennessee company continues to receive reports of consumers being injured when the tires burst, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. There now have been 100 injury reports, including cuts and fractures on fingers and hands, as well as damage to property and vehicles, the commission said. The defective tires...
Originally published in the Herald Tribune.com on Sep 24, 2009 by Aaron Kessler
Members of Congress summoned officials from four federal agencies investigating tainted Chinese drywall to Capitol Hill Wednesday for a closed-door meeting amid growing concern that action is not coming swiftly enough to help thousands of affected homeowners. A battery of scientific testing originally scheduled to start being released later...
Originally published in the Buffalo News on Sep 21, 2009 by Staff
Hooded Sweat shirts. Name of product: Children’s Hooded Fleece Sweat shirts Units: About 2,300. Distributor: La Jolla Sport USA of Irvine, Calif. Hazard: The recalled sweat shirts have a drawstring through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweat shirts...
Originally published in the ENC Today.com on Sep 18, 2009 by Molly K. Dewitt
Buying items at local secondhand stores may save a buck, but consumers should also educate themselves about the latest product recalls to avoid potentially dangerous purchases. In Onslow County, some secondhand stores are more diligent about recalled items than others. At Goodwill stores, like the one in Jacksonville, employees are constantly updated with information on the latest product recalls issued...
Originally published in the The New York Times on Sep 16, 2009 by Leslie Kaufman and Gardiner Harris
Some tennis balls for dogs, chew toys for cats and women’s plastic handbags were among the common household items found to contain lead and other toxic chemicals in recent tests, a nonprofit environmental group reported on Wednesday. The Ecology Center, a group based in Michigan, announced that it had expanded its online...
Originally published in the Staten Island Advance - SILive.com on Sep 13, 2009 by Jeff Harrell
There's nothing illegal about the children's games, books, toys and various household items Tori Lucida is selling in the front yard of her Tremont Avenue home on this picture-perfect Saturday morning. "Santa Claus brought too much for Christmas," the Willowbrook mother of two says with a welcome smile. "The toys are brand new. Some have never...
Originally published in the NewYork InjuryNews on Sep 12, 2009 by Staff
The CPSC recalled 500 IKEA KARLSTAD sofa beds due to a federal mattress flammability standard violation. Pennsylvania product liability lawyers-IKEA international home furnishings manufacturer recalls Karlstad sofa beds for fire hazard. Conshohocken, PA–IKEA Home Furnishings has participated in a voluntary recall of approximately 500 units of sofa beds. IKEA is a furniture distributor...
Originally published in the Reuters on Sep 11, 2009 by Merry Beth Hovey
As a parent, keeping your child out of harm's way is an utmost priority. So, how
can you trust that your child is safe from the hidden dangers - ranging from
faulty cribs to recalled products - that lurk in and out of the home? "Many parents have expressed concern about the prevalence of recalled children's
products," said Susan Baustian, director of the Once Upon A Child brand. "But,
they should know that the Consumer Product Safety Commission...
Originally published in the Occupational Health Safety on Sep 09, 2009 by Staff
The 3rd Biennial United States – China Consumer Product Safety Summit between the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and its counterpart agency, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ), will be held in Wuxi, Jinhua...
Originally published in the Standard on Sep 09, 2009 by Amos Kareithi
The wide-eyed boy approaches the shelf with awe and admiration, his heart literally in his mouth as he scans the toys on offer in the shop. Then he hungrily darts around, soaking in all the contents on the shelves. Eugene Kambo grabs a glittering red race car nicely wrapped in a transparent material and confronts his father with pleading eyes. The father dutifully pays Sh100 the cost of the toy...
Originally published in the the Associated Press on Sep 04, 2009 by Staff
Before you sit back and pop in a movie at home for a relaxing Labor Day weekend, you might want to check out this week's list of faulty products. Overheating DVD players and breaking chairs are among some of the items manufacturers are recalling. The DVD players, sold at Walmart stores, have caused fires and property damage. The chairs by OfficeMax Inc., meanwhile, have caused at least 15 reports of injuries so far. Here's a list of the items manufacturers recalled...
Originally published in the the New York Times on Sep 03, 2009 by Janet Armuth Wolkoff
Earlier this summer I bought a new gas barbecue grill at Lowe’s. I had used it only a handful of times when one morning before coffee, as I blankly stared at the Star-Ledger, I noticed just above the masthead a line of print announcing a recall of Blue Ember barbecue grills. I went to the Blue Ember Web site as instructed, wrote down the long list...
Originally published in the the Los Angeles Times on Sep 01, 2009 by Sherine El Madany
OfficeMax Inc. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling about 216,000 OfficeMax Task Chairs because the back and base post of the chairs can break and cause users to fall. The commission said that OfficeMax received about 35 reports of chair backs or posts breaking, including 15 reports of injuries involving lacerations, muscle strains, contusions and concussions. he recall involves OfficeMax Task Chairs with model numbers OM182...
Originally published in the the Los Angeles Times on Aug 30, 2009 by Nathan Olivarez-Giles
A faulty seatbelt has prompted the recall of about 41,000 Baby Jogger City Mini strollers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and stroller maker Baby Jogger. The seatbelt buckle on the stroller can break or unlatch, allowing a child or infant to fall out, the commission said on its website. The agency has asked parents to stop using the strollers immediately. The City Mini strollers were sold nationwide in children's stores, department stores...
Originally published in the Los Angeles Times on Aug 26, 2009 by Andrea Chang
Cash for clunkers is over, but Toys R Us Inc. is offering parents cash for cribs. After several high-profile recalls of children's products drew low consumer response, executives at the toy giant decided to offer a trade-in program to help rid homes of unsafe items, said Jerry Storch, chairman and chief executive of Toys R Us. During the Great Trade-In event, which begins Friday, all Babies R Us and Toys R Us stores nationwide will accept returns of...
Originally published in the Reuters on Aug 25, 2009 by David Cutler
The impact of a Chinese lead poisoning scandal spread to another two provinces on Tuesday, threatening further cuts in supply from the world's top producer of the metal. [ID:nSP447110] Following are some details on major lead poisoning incidents and the associated health risks. * CHINA: -- Chinese state media said on August 20 the number of children found with excess lead in their blood near the Wugang Manganese Smelting Plant in Hunan province reached 1,354. The Xinhua news agency reported close to 70...
Originally published in the the CNET News on Aug 21, 2009 by Matt Hickey
Exploding iPhones are so earlier this week, people. The new scary consumer electronics product that might explode and kill you and your family is the cheap Durabrand DVD player exclusive to Wal-Mart. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of the device, saying the players can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. The players retail for less than $30...
Originally published in the BikePortland.org on Aug 20, 2009 by Jonathan Maus
Yesterday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced recalls for three bike-related products. Two of those three — a child trailer and a cyclocross bike — are popular items in Portland. The CPSC announced a voluntary recall of about 2,700 2009 “d’lite ST” and “Solo ST” child trailers (both were made in the Phillipines) sold by Eugene-based Burley Design. The hazard is the axle...
Originally published in the Jacksonville Business Journal on Aug 19, 2009 by Staff
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said in a media release Tuesday he pressed Chinese officials in recent trips there to cooperate more fully in investigations of defective high-sulfur drywall that was made in China and is ruining homes in the United States. Nelson’s remarks came immediately before a separate journey to China this week by a delegation of the...
Originally published in the ConsumerAffairs.com on Aug 18, 2009 by James Limbach
New requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) aimed at making children's products safer and increasing consumer confidence in the marketplace are now in effect. To that end, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is launching a program that it says will educate domestic and overseas manufacturers, importers, and distributors of children's products and other...
Originally published in the ABC15.com on Aug 17, 2009 by Joe Ducey
Do you remember a couple of years ago when there was a massive recall of toys made in China because of lead issues? Well, the Consumer Product Safety Commission vowed to do something about it, and those rules are now in place. They cut the acceptable level of lead in children's products in half. Acceptable lead levels from 600 parts per million to 300. So, anything above that amount is unlawful for...
Originally published in the Associated Press on Aug 15, 2009 by Christine Simmons
Despite the growing number of imports, the government's product safety agency has no access to certain customs information that could help prevent the sale of unsafe products, congressional investigators say. A report released Friday by the Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative arm, looks at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is responsible for ensuring consumer products don't pose health or safety risks. Since 2002, the commission has asked the Customs and...
Originally published in the CNNMoney.com on Aug 13, 2009 by Julianne Pepitone
Little Tikes Co. is recalling about 1.6 million toys because of a choking hazard, a government agency said Thursday. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of Little Tikes Workshop Sets and Trucks after it received a report that an 11-month-old boy was hospitalized after getting a plastic nail lodged in his throat. The boy made a full recovery, the release said. Little Tikes, based in Hudson, Ohio, said the plastic nail is about 3-1/4 inches long...
Originally published in the Tallahassee.com on Aug 11, 2009 by Eun Kyung Kim
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission plans to visit China later this month as part of its investigation into problems with drywall manufactured there, the agency announced Tuesday. “We have asked to visit several sites that we believe to be of interest,” the agency said in a status update report submitted to Congress. The visit is scheduled to begin Aug. 17...
Originally published in the KVBC on Aug 10, 2009 by Hetty Chang
China's largest overseas consumer product show is happening right here in Las Vegas this week. The China Brand Show is where hundreds of top Chinese manufacturers show off their latest products. On Monday, some of China's top dignitaries spoke during the show. The Chinese government played a big part in organizing this year's event...
Originally published in the Sun-Sentinel.com on Aug 04, 2009 by Diane C. Lade
Black & Decker Inc. has reissued a recall of its Grasshog string trimmer/edger, as the company continues to receive reports of pieces of the product coming loose and flying off, injuring users, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The GH1000 Grasshog XP stringer trimmers were sold at major home improvement centers and hardware stores from November 2005 through January 2007 for about $70. They were made in China. The company first pulled 202,000 of the product for repairs in July 2007...
Originally published in the Battle Creek Enquirer on Aug 04, 2009 by Staff
In 10 days, manufacturers of children’s products must begin complying with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The intent of the act is to keep lead away from children by banning all but minute levels of the metal, which can cause irreversible brain damage, from toys and other products. In order to help do that, the new law mandates tracking labels that provide the name of the company as well as the city and country where the product was made. In addition, batch and lot numbers must be included on the label...
Originally published in the Financial Times on Aug 04, 2009 by David Fickling
A single consumer products safety law in the US has accounted for more than a 10th of revenue growth at Intertek, the testing group, since the new year, according to Wolfhart Hauser, chief executive. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, passed after a 2007 wave of Chinese product recalls in which Mattel withdrew more than 20m toys because of feared lead paint contamination, went into force in February this year. Mr Hauser said that the law on its own accounted for about a third of...
Originally published in the Newsinferno.com on Jul 31, 2009 by Staff
Domestications, of Weehawken, New Jersey just issued a recall for about 780 of its Domestications Bed Steps, which were manufactured in China and imported by Hanover Direct Inc., of Weehawken, New Jersey, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced. The Domestications Bed Steps were recalled because the bed steps can break during use, posing a fall hazard to consumers. To date, Domestications received 14 reports of the bed steps breaking or cracking during use. Four of those...
Originally published in the The Associated Press on Jul 30, 2009 by Dikky Sinn
U.S. regulators announced plans Thursday to set up a Beijing office to help ensure Chinese exports are safe for Americans following a slew of recalls involving everything from pet food to children's toys. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission was seeking to establish a permanent presence overseas for the first time to better cooperate with Chinese regulators and companies so the country's products are up to U.S. standards, the agency's chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum said...
Originally published in the WalletPop on Jul 29, 2009 by Mitch Lipka
If you're going to make a dent in toy safety, your first stop has to be China. An estimated nine out of 10 toys sold in the U.S. comes from that nation's factories. For Inez Tenenbaum, who President Obama appointed as the new chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, dealing with toy manufacturing in Asia is a long way from her native South Carolina -- where she spent most of her career as a lawyer, politician and education official. But that's where she is today...
Originally published in the Newsinferno.com on Jul 27, 2009 by Staff
Lyne Yi International has recalled about 600 “Reflections of Magic” Hanging Mirrors imported by the Bradford Exchange Ltd., of Niles, Illinois. The recall has been issued because the metal plate used for hanging the mirror can become detached and cause the mirror to fall, posing an impact or laceration hazard to consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. To date, 10 reports were received of metal plate detachment from the mirrors while hanging on the wall. One consumer...
Originally published in the New York Times on Jul 24, 2009 by Staff
Before you fire up the grill for a barbecue dinner, you might want to check out this week's list of recalled items. A Tennessee company is recalling its grills because of a fire hazard posed by the gas tank's proximity to the firebox. There have already been 161 incidents reported, including nine injuries. One of those incidents involved temporary hearing loss...
Originally published in the The Associated Press on Jul 21, 2009 by Jennifer C. Kerr
One of the nation's top safety officials is putting manufacturers on notice: Comply with new rules aimed at keeping children's products safe, or face the potential of big fines. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said Tuesday that her agency will get new enforcement tools next month — and she plans to use them in order to protect consumers, especially children. Come Aug. 14, the maximum civil penalty the agency could impose for violations increases significantly, from $1.8 million...
Originally published in the WalletPop on Jul 20, 2009 by Mitch Lipka
An American subsidiary of the Chinese electronics and appliances giant Haier Group was assessed a $587,500 penalty for failing to promptly disclose that it knew wires were breaking in its fans, posing a risk of fire, thus delaying its recall. Haier America Trading Llc. agreed to pay the fine to settle allegations that they collected information about 14 incidents -- including an injury -- between May 2004 and October 2004, but didn't report to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission until December of that year...
Originally published in the Arizona Republic on Jul 20, 2009 by Chase Purdy
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act has had some unintended consequences for small businesses that cater to parents. The law, meant to protect children from harmful products in toys and clothes, is increasing costs for some small-business owners and driving others out of business, since every fabric in a piece of clothing and every component in a toy...
Originally published in the FOXBusiness on Jul 14, 2009 by staff
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed...
Originally published in the Justice News Flash on Jul 12, 2009 by Justice Seeker
Chicago area residents alerted-1 million Kolcraft children’s play yards may cause injuries. Chicago, The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) http://www.cpsc.gov/ announced the recall of at least one million Kolcraft, and Kolcraft licensed brand playpens on July 8, 2009. Kolcraft products are widely perceived by parents and caretakers as a safe product for unattended children. The recall reportedly involves China-made play yards distributed...
Originally published in the Wall Street Journal on Jul 09, 2009 by ANJALI ATHAVALEY
A question for anyone who’s planning a yard sale this summer: Are you having a safe sale? A consumer-product safety law signed last year makes it illegal to sell recalled products—and that applies to goods sold at yard sales, as well as flea markets and Internet sites like Craigslist. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is charged with enforcing the law, is urging...
Originally published in the Wall Street Journal on Jul 08, 2009 by MELANIE TROTTMAN
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is expected on Wednesday to announce a recall of one million Kolcraft play yards, raising questions anew over the safety of products widely perceived as safe for unattended children. The expected recall of the portable playpens, some of which include changing tables or bassinets, follows hundreds of complaints...
Originally published in the 4Hoteliers on Jul 03, 2009 by Staff
Food safety starts at the beginning of the food supply chain;. from farm to fork, all food and agriculture companies are at risk to food safety. “As a food and agricultural financier in Asia, Rabobank emphasises sustainability-oriented banking and sees a shared responsibility in promoting food safety along the whole food value chain,” said Robert Jan van Zadelhoff, Head of Rabobank Asia...
Originally published in the Los Angeles Times on Jul 02, 2009 by Diane C. Lade
Federal safety regulators have announced two large recalls of children's products, including one involving four million water toys, for serious safety hazards on the eve of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The inflatable baby floats - shaped like turtles, ducks, power boats and other figures - have been voluntarily pulled by distributor Aqua-Leisure Industries after 31 reports of the seats tearing and dropping youngsters into the water, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. No injuries have been reported...
Originally published in the WalletPop on Jul 02, 2009 by Tom Barlow
Welcome to the finger detachment holiday, when emergency rooms are full of people (mostly young people) with fireworks injuries. I always figured these were accidents of carelessness, but a recent Consumer Product Safety Commission Report changed my mind; it reported that half of the imported fireworks shipments it checked contained faulty fireworks...
Originally published in the Kiplinger.com on Jun 22, 2009 by Martha Lynn Craver
A sea change in food safety regulation is on the way. By the end of the year, Congress will pass legislation that brings the first major overhaul of the nation's food safety laws in more than 70 years. The action was prompted by a series of foodborne disease outbreaks as well as tainted imports from China, which laid bare the gaps in U.S. food safety laws. There is broad consensus on the need for such reform and surprising...
Originally published in the Seattle Times on Jun 21, 2009 by Tom Watson
Here's what people really want to know: Are chemicals in household products a health risk for me or my kids? The inability to get an answer to that question drives consumers crazy. Today's column won't answer it conclusively either, but we can at least provide some insight into the debate over toxics in consumer products...
Originally published in the AHN on Jun 17, 2009 by Melvin Baker
A Nevada couple and the company they owned have pleaded guilty to selling a plastic compound as a pet food ingredient that lead to a nationwide recall of pet food and the deaths of thousands of animals. Stephen Miller, 56, his wife, Sally Qing Miller, both of Las Vegas, NV, and their company ChemNutra, Inc., pleaded guilty Tuesday - in U.S. federal court at Kansas City, MO - to substituting melamine for...
Originally published in the scrippsnews on Jun 03, 2009 by ISAAC WOLF
Thousands of everyday products and materials containing radioactive metals are surfacing across the United States and around the world. Common kitchen cheese graters, reclining chairs, women's handbags and tableware manufactured with contaminated metals have been identified, some after having been in circulation for as long as a decade. So have fencing wire and fence posts, shovel blades, elevator buttons, airline parts and steel used in construction. A Scripps Howard News Service investigation has found that...
Originally published in the Thestar on Jun 01, 2009 by Staff
Last October, the Star ran an investigative report by David Bruser on toxic toys being sold in the Greater Toronto area. One of every four products purchased had high levels of lead, including some that were labelled lead-free. One necklace clasp tested at 150 times the limit. The investigation found that there were only 46 inspectors monitoring stores for all of Canada. Of those, 13 were in Ontario – 11 in Toronto and only two to protect the millions of Ontarians outside the GTA. An importer who travels to Asia four times...
Originally published in the Dallas Business Journal on May 25, 2009 by Kent Hoover
Small manufacturers pleaded with Congress for relief from a law that made millions of dollars’ worth of products illegal in February because they might contain excessive levels of lead and industrial compounds known as phthalates. Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in August 2008 in response to the discovery of high lead content...
Originally published in the Loudoun Times on May 10, 2009 by Tim Ohlwiler
Purple triangular containers have been spotted hanging from trees in various locations. Perhaps you have seen one in your neck of the woods too. These purple containers are traps for the emerald ash borer, a new pest in the area. This small, metallic green beetle has caused the death of millions of ash trees in Michigan and surrounding states and provinces...
Originally published in the Playthings on May 06, 2009 by Staff
WASHINGTON—Action Products, Ocala, Fla., is recalling approximately 2,900 units of its Curiosity Kits branded Abalone and Venetian Carnevale necklace craft kits over high levels of lead. The lobster clasps in both craft kits contain high levels of lead, according to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission. The Abalone Necklace’s pendant also contains high levels of lead. No injuries have been reported related to the kits involved in the recall...
Originally published in the Brown Field on Apr 28, 2009 by Tom Steever and Bob Meyer
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says there’s no scientific reason for Russia to ban U.S. pork from certain states. But despite that and assurances from the World Health Organization, Russia and several other nations have expanded their blockage of imports. The ban, now including beef, pork and poultry from California, Kansas, Texas, New York and Ohio...
Originally published in the EurActiv on Apr 21, 2009 by Staff
EU product safety standards are continuing to improve, Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said yesterday (20 April), presenting a report which showed that record numbers of dangerous goods were withdrawn from European shelves last year, mostly of Chinese origin. The number of dangerous products withdrawn from EU markets rose by 16% in 2008...
Originally published in the lompoc Record on Apr 19, 2009 by Staff
It’s safe to say most folks know homegrown is the best, but we get some confirmation from a recent situation having to do with imported goods. U.S. health officials are pointing fingers of blame at Chinese manufacturers of drywall, a key ingredient in new-home construction...
Originally published in the The Oregonian on Mar 27, 2009 by Lynne Terry
More than 30 reports of exploding vacuum cleaners prompted a recall Thursday by Electrolux, which is pulling hundreds of thousands of cordless stick vacuums sold in Oregon and other states. Electrolux Home Care Products Inc., based in Bloomington, Ill., said two people suffered minor injuries, including swollen hands and irritated eyes, when the battery in the handheld units exploded....
Originally published in the WebMD on Mar 25, 2009 by Miranda Hitti
Fisher-Price Recalls About 24,000 3-in-1 High Chairs; One Child Reportedly Injured When Seat Detached Fisher-Price is recalling about 24,000 of its 3-in-1 High Chair to Boosters, which convert from a high chair to a toddler booster seat, because of a fall risk.
