Out of the country

I will be traveling until January 8th so there will no blogging until then. You can still check the breaking news above which is updated daily. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

DeWALT Recalls Cordless Drills due to Fire Hazard

This recall involves DEWALT individual cordless drills listed below:

Model Number Description Date Codes
DC920 Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2” (13mm) 18 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver 200723 through 200742
DC930 Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2" (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver 200625 through 200746
DC935 Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2" (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver 200627 through 200746
DC936 Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2" (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver 200635 through 200746
DC940 Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2" (13mm) 12 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver 200635 through 200746

The model number is printed on a sticker on the side of the unit. The date code is embossed on the bottom of the unit. Units stamped with an “M” following the date code have been repaired and are not included in this recall. The packaging of repaired drills has a green dot sticker near the UPC label.

Recall of Vaccine Prompts Dose Deferral

"Federal health officials on Wednesday said doctors should temporarily stop giving children the final booster shot of the Hib vaccine because of expected shortages caused by a recall.

Normally, the government recommends children get the three-shot vaccine at age 2 months, 4 months and then a booster at 12-15 months. But doctors should defer giving that last booster for the time being, said officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said."

Lawnmower Recall

"The American Honda Motor Corporation is recalling more than 1,000 lawn mowers. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission made the announcement. The recall includes Honda's walk behind mowers. All three models are being recalled because the cutting blades could malfunction and could pose a serious threat to your safety. So far no injuries have been reported. The lawnmowers were sold at Honda Lawn and Gardens and Home Depot."

Salmonella fear prompts recall of Mexico-grown basil

"Some 5,500 pounds of basil grown in Mexico and sold in the United States was recalled because of fears it may be infected with salmonella, a spokesman for the importer said Thursday.
The basil was imported from a farm in Mexico's southern Baja California region on Dec. 5 and sold to food distributors in Southern California, Texas and Illinois the following day, said Alberto Martinez, a spokesman for Los Angeles-based importer Top Line Specialty Produce
"

Christmas Candle Sets Recalled By Specialty Merchandise Corp. Due to Fire Hazard

This recall involves the 2-pieced Snowman and Christmas tree candle set. The snowman candle measures 6 and ¼ inches high and the Christmas tree candle measures 7 inches high."

Infantino® Recalls Infant Teethers Due to Choking Hazard

This recall involves Infantino® lion teethers. The yellow and orange plastic teethers have date codes 6116, 6129, 6158, 6137, 0606, 0806, 0906, and 1006. The date codes are located on the back of the lion’s head, above the Infantino® logo. Lion teethers with other date codes are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Babies “R” Us, Pottery Barn Kids and other specialty stores nationwide from June 2006 through December 2007 for about $5.

Whole Foods Market Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in 365 Organic Everyday Value Swiss Milk Chocolate Bar With Rice Crisps

Whole Foods Market® is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars with Rice Crisps, 3-ounce size, with a Best If Used By date of 11/21/07, because products with that lot code may contain undeclared hazelnuts, walnuts and pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The product was distributed to and sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin. 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars with Rice Crisps are sold in blue and white wrappers with a picture of chocolate pieces and the Swiss countryside on the front. The recalled chocolate bars have a Best If Used By date of 11/21/07, which is found on the back of the wrapper in a white box.

Venmar Ventilation Inc. Recalls Heat Recovery Ventilators Due to Fire Hazard

This recall involves heat recovery ventilators made between October 2006 and August 2007, and have the following brand names and model numbers:

Brand Models
Venmar 40225
Venmar AVS 457XX, 16016XX, 43XXX, 451XX, 45400, 45709IEH, C32042
Vane 458XX, 16016XX, 43405, 43828, 45405, 45808
Rheem, Ruud, Protech 84-ERVXXX, 84-HRVXXX
Carrier ERVCCLHU1200, HRVCCLHA1250, HRVCCSVU1200, ERVCCLHU1150,
HRVCCLHA1150, HRVCCLVU1150, HRVCCLVU1200, HRVCCSVU1150
Bryant ERVBBLHU1200, HRVBBLHA1250, HRVBBSVU1200
Broan ERV200HC, HRV200H, HRV100H

Sold at: Heating, ventilating and air conditioning wholesale distributors, dealers and contractors, and building supply stores nationwide from October 2006 through December 2007 for between $700 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: Canada

Merck Recalls 1 Million Doses Of Childhood Vaccine

Merck & Co. (MRK) is recalling about 1 million doses of a childhood vaccine used to protect against meningitis, pneumonia and other serious illnesses after the company found a sterilization problem in the manufacturing plant where the vaccine is made.

Julie Gerberding, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, said the recall affects certain lots of the so-called Hib vaccine shipped after April 2007. However, she said there's no health threat to children who may have received the recalled vaccine. Merck is one of two providers of the Hib vaccine, which is given to children in three doses that typically begin with two-month- old infants.

Frito-Lay Issues Voluntary Recall of 1.5 oz. Bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips in North Texas Due to Undeclared Milk

"Frito-Lay announced the voluntary recall of 41 cases (2,460 bags) of 1.5 oz. bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips. This lot is marked as Lay's Classic Potato Chips but may contain Lay's Cheddar & Sour Cream Flavored Potato Chips. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious life threatening allergic reaction if they consume the Cheddar & Sour Cream Flavored product. No illnesses have been reported to date."

Children’s Sunglasses Recalled by FGX International Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

The recall involves 15 styles of children’s sunglasses. The style name is printed on the product inside the left temple arm. The name “Foster Grant” may also appear on the temple arm of some styles. The styles included in the recall are:

Balloon
Bond
Boom
Bubble Gum
Bullseye
Buzz
Conqueror Jr.
Curly Q
Encompass Jr. IK
Fade IK
Gadget IK
Iceman
Lily
Outer Space
Pluto

Ford recalls Louisville-made trucks, SUV

"Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 1.2 million vehicles, including certain F-450 and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The recall was made because a faulty sensor could cause the vehicles' engines to stall.

The recall covers Ford F-450 and F-550 trucks with 7.3-liter diesel engines, Excursion sport-utility vehicles and E-Series vans from model years 1997 through 2003, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration."

RC2 Voluntarily Recalls Two Styles of 3-in-1 Flush & Sounds Potty Training Seats

" RC2 Corporation today announced that it is voluntarily recalling two styles of The First Years(R) 3-in-1 Flush & Sounds Potty training seats due to the discovery of excess levels of lead in surface paint on 5-inch rectangular plaques inserted into the backs of the training seats. Approximately 123,000 plaques were used in potty training seats sold to U.S. and Canadian mass and specialty retailers between April 2006 and August 2007. Approximately 37,000 additional plaques were not used in training seats and have been quarantined by the company. There have been no reports of illness or injury related to the plaques."

Hasbro: Safety Key in China Manufacturing

"The chief executive of toy maker Hasbro Inc. says developing relationships with suppliers in China and taking the time to teach them how to meet stringent manufacturing and safety standards are among the keys for American companies operating there following a string of recalls."

Non-China made products

Check the non-China made products listing and various languagues to view this blog on the right side of this page.

Old Navy Recalls Boys’ Jackets; Drawstring at Waist Poses Entrapment Hazard

"The performance fleece-lined shell jackets are hooded, zip in the front, and have a drawstring at the waist. The jackets were sold in black or blue in multiple children’s sizes. “Old Navy” is printed on a label at the neck. Style number 507907 is printed on a white label sewn into the side seam of the jacket."

Stop & Shop Updates Cookie Tray Recall

"The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced a recall of Stop & Shop 2- pound cookie trays produced by Luigi’s Bakery and sold in Stop & Shop stores in Connecticut and New York. The cookies were recalled because the label did not list as ingredients artificial colors including FD&C Yellow #5, which can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Upon investigation by regulatory agencies, the cookies were found to contain milk and sulfur dioxide, both of which were not listed on the label and can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals."

Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb

"Prosperity Resources Intl. Inc. at 464 Coit Street Irvington, N.J. 07111 is recalling "Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb" because it may contain undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled "Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb", a product of China, is packaged in uncoded 12 oz plastic bags. There were sold nationwide.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and Subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in packages of "Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb" which did not declare sulfites on the label. The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites."

General Electric Recalls Microwave Combo Wall Ovens Due to Fire Hazard

"The recall includes GE combination microwave and conventional built-in wall ovens sold under the following brand names: GE, GE Profile® and Kenmore. The ovens were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel. The brand name is printed on the lower left corner on the front of the microwave door. The following model and serial numbers can be found inside the microwave oven on the left interior wall."

American Greetings Corp. Recalls Confetti Bursts Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

"The recalled products contain confetti in plastic bags. When the bags are inflated, consumers squeeze the bag and confetti bursts out. Each package contains six confetti bursts"

Quality Plus Products, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Smoked Wild Salmon Spread

"Quality Plus Products, Inc., of Bellingham, Washington is recalling its 7 ounce packages of "Jackson's Quality Plus Smoked Wild Salmon Spread" because the top ingredient label does not mention eggs however; it is listed on the side label of ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled "Jackson's Quality Plus Smoked Wild Salmon Spread" products were distributed in retail stores located in Northwestern Washington. The product comes in 7 ounce, clear plastic containers, with an ingredient label on the top lid and an ingredient label on the side with SELL BY dates up to and including 01/15/08 stamped on the side of the container."