If you bought, or your pet ate, pet food recalled after March 17, 2007, keep tabs on this $24 million settlement. This would be the pet food purposely cut with melamine, a (poisonous) byproduct of coal production, because it made the food look it was higher in protein and was cheaper than actual protein. The case is called Re: Pet Food Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1850, Civil Action No. 07-2867 (NLH). The final hearing is on October 14, 2008. The final date for submitting a claim form will be November 24, 2008. To see if you're eligible, check the list of recalled products affected by the settlement (PDF). Food by Nestle-Purina, Royal Canin, Sierra Pet products, Chenangono Valley Pet Food, CJ Foods, Diamond Pet Food, Hill's, American Nutrition, and Del Monte are on the list. Claim forms and more can be found at PetFoodSettlement.com.
PREVIOUSLY: Pet Food Companies Agree To $24 Million Settlement Over Killer Pet Food
(Photo: Ariana Lindquist)
tainted
The New York Times reports that the FDA is now working under the assumption that the
deadly contamination of heparin was intentional. In her prepared testimony before a congressional subcommittee, Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation said,
FDA's working hypothesis is that this was intentional contamination, but this has not been proven.
More details, inside...
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ouch
A 10-year-old elementary school student
found a razor blade in the Pokemon lollipop he was about to hand to his sister.
Dollar General, which sold the lollipop for $1, immediately recalled the remaining Pokemon Valentine Cards and Pops from its 8,300 stores, but they are concerned that "most of this candy has already been purchased."
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chinese poison train
Kosher certification is the
new darling of health-conscious consumers who misguidedly believe that biblically blessed health standards can reign in the excesses of commercial food production. Even Chinese exporters are betting that kosher certification can convince foreign consumers that their wares are safe. To companies, certification is just a marketing tool: it lends the aura of safety without offering any actual
food safety benefits.
Many Chinese companies were unfamiliar with the concept: One furniture maker asked for kosher certification, drawing a polite rebuff. Another facility asked to get certified as kosher even though it was smoking eel on site, a kosher no-no. The company was turned down; it is now building a separate, kosher-only facility.
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product safety
If pending legislation passes, the CPSC may make retailers test their wares, and make retailers legally responsible for the products they sell. CPSC chair Nancy Nord said yesterday at a press conference, "the ultimate responsibility at the end of the day to make sure that their products are safe and if they do not, we will take enforcement activity at the product sellers."
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someone think of the children
Walmart is still selling lead-tainted
Baby Connection bibs that were recalled last May. Reader Jeff made the discovery after his wife accidentally purchased two packs of recalled bibs for their 4-month-old daughter while vacationing in the Poconos.
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made in china
Economists and politicians rant about China in terms of jobs lost, currency valuation, and trade gaps. But the
New York Times reports that
a new metric has been discovered: every year, Chinese workers manufacturing our toys, garments and electronic junk in the Peal River Delta collectively break 40,000 fingers.
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toy safety
Well we're glad
that's taken care of. Wait... the
Toy Industry Association is a trade group, not a federal agency! At any rate, on February 1st the Toy Industry Association, a 500-member strong group, will "
release a draft of tough new safety rules, which include a plan to require manufacturers to test toys for hazardous chemicals and defective designs." According to CNN, the group is drafting the 3-point plan with at least the awareness, if not the help, of the CPSC, and it hopes to have the plan formally certified as the CPSC's "new standard for
toy safety."
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labels
Ever wonder where your
goat meat came from? No? Well several Senators did, so their chamber's version of the
farm bill extends country of origin labeling to chickens, macadamia nuts, and goat meat. The labels, which are
already required for beef, pork, lamb, peanuts, fresh fruits, and vegetables, should appear by late next year.
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China will allow US food inspectors to be posted inside its factories. No doubt the factory owners will adapt by processing food outside the factory. [
NYT]
China and US sign product safety pact. Lucky thing they got that one banged out before Christmas. [
AP]
Recalls: Starbucks Fusion Coffee Mugs (
burn), Home Depot Holiday Figurines (
lead), Scope Apparel Boys' Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings (
strangulation), RC2 First Years 3-in-1 Flush and Sounds Potty Seats (
lead), RC2 First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seats (
falling), Sears Personal Identity-brand V-neck sweaters with hood (
strangulation), Basic Editions-brand girls' clothing sets (
entrapment, strangulation), TKS-brand children's pants (
entrapment), Collins International Oscillating Ceramic Heaters sold at Menards (
fire), Polaris Ranger RZR 800 EFI Utility Vehicles (
fire, burn), Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms (
injury).
You can enter your kids' toys here and find out if they've been recalled for toxins. [
HealthyToys.org]
An amusing animation depicting the CPSC's epic failures through song and dance, brought to you by Consumers Union, makers of Consumer Reports. Unfortunately, neither the
Chinese Poison Train nor Snively Whiplash made an appearance. [
NotInMyCart]
toy safety
Here's something everyone can be thankful for—the Chinese, Europeans, and tangentially everyone in America and the rest of the world who have spent the better part of last year dodging lead bullets from the factory nation. The
European Union's consumer chief has said that China has made "quantum leaps" in improving its safety protocols, and will
therefore not face a ban in the EU.
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Consumerist
