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NYTimes touts need for product safety law

In an editorial titled “How Quickly They Forget,” the New York Times (2/24, A26) questions efforts to undo safety regulations regarding children’s products. The Times notes the House’s decision to slash funding from a product-safety reporting website, a result of the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. House Republicans are also railing against requirements for … Read more

Pompeo provision would derail product safety database

The Washington Post (2/28, Layton) reports, “The first-ever government database of product safety complaints, which is scheduled to go public in two weeks, could be scrapped as a result of a budget amendment offered by a freshman member of the House,” Rep. Mike Pompeo. Pompeo, a Republican, “won support for a measure to withhold money … Read more

Nearly two million baby monitors recalled after infant deaths

The AP (2/11, Kerr) reported Rhode Island-based Summer Infant issued a recall of approximately 1.7 million video baby monitors Friday, “after being linked to the strangulation deaths of two infants.” Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said, “I urge all parents and caregivers to put at least three feet between any video or audio … Read more

FDA recalls lead contaminated candies

  I guess they had the name right on this one… The AP reported the US distributor of Pakistan-imported candy chew bars is recalling them “because of lead contamination,” the Food and Drug Administration announced. Indianapolis-based Candy Dynamics distributed the bars, which are called Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge. The FDA said no one has fallen … Read more

Chrysler, Volkswagen recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles

  Chrysler and Volkswagen owners, please be aware of this massive recall that may affect you. The AP (12/16) reported, “Chrysler is recalling more than 367,000 minivans to address potential accidental air bag deployments.” Commenting on the issue that “affects 2008 model year Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans,” Chrysler said, “water … Read more

Wal-Mart recalls 2.2M fire-prone electric heaters

Millions of Americans purchase portable heaters to take the chill of on days like these. If you own one purchased from Wal Mart, please be aware of this important recall notice.   According to the AP (12/16), the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of 2.2 million electric heaters sold at Wal-Mart stores. … Read more

How do you spell “recall”? R-O-L-A-I-D-S

  A number of news sources are reporting a recall of 13 million packages of Rolaids by Johnson and Johnson. These include several different kinds of Rolaids Soft Chews. According to the AP (12/10), “the materials were potentially introduced into the products during the manufacturing process at” this “outside manufacturer.” Accordingly, the company “is suspending … Read more

Lead Content Found in Reusable Bags

  USA Today (11/15, Armour) reports, “Lead found in some reusable grocery bags is raising concerns that the toxin could pose environmental or health concerns to consumers.” Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) “is asking for a federal investigation into the reusable bags following a series by The Tampa Tribune. The newspaper found lead in bags purchased … Read more

FDA Bans Alcoholic Energy Drinks

  You may have seen this story in yesterday’s Inquirer. The AP (11/18) reported that, the Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters Wednesday to four manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks, saying the caffeine added to their beverages is an “unsafe food additive”. In other words, the combination of caffeine and alcohol in drinks is … Read more