The veterinary hospital chain saw 1 million dogs and cats during the three months when the more than 100 brands of now-recalled contaminated pet food were sold. It saw 284 extra cases of kidney failure among cats during that period, or a roughly 30 percent increase when compared with background rates. It’s not clear if those animals ate the contaminated food, though it seems likely.
Government Policy
Contaminated Pet Food Linked To 30% Increase In Feline Kidney Failure
By 4.10.07
Controversial Ad Implies Celebrex Is As Safe As OTC Painkillers
By 4.10.07
A new ad for Celebrex, a prescription painkiller related to Vioxx, has come under fire for implying that Celebrex is as safe as non-prescription painkillers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve.) A consumer group has written a letter to the FDA requesting that they ban the ad, claiming that it contains “false or misleading statements.”
“The overall purpose of the ad is to make it appear, contrary to scientific evidence, that the cardiovascular dangers of Celebrex are not greater than those of any of the other Nsaid painkillers,” the letter said, referring to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. “Further, it asserts that certain gastrointestinal problems are, if anything, less frequent with Celebrex than with two popular over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers.”
The ad, which is two-and-a-half minutes long (Pfizer was the only sponsor of the program on which it aired), can be viewed at Celebrex.com. The ad marks Celebrex’s return to advertising after a two year hiatus following Vioxx’s withdrawal from the market due to dangerous cardiovascular side-effects.
Walmart Granted Gag Order Against Former Spy
By 4.10.07
The suit and restraining order were filed two days after Wal-Mart apologized to activist shareholders for Gabbard’s revelation that they were considered potential threats and ahead of a story in Monday’s editions of the Wall Street Journal on Gabbard’s claim that Wal-Mart had a super-secret “Project Red” aimed at bolstering its stagnant share price.
Reclaim Unnecessary Credit Cards' Unnecessary Foreign Transaction Fees
By 4.10.07
Several major credit card companies were successfully and recently class-actioned for charging unnecessary fees for overseas transactions.
Never Mind, Vonage Can Still Sign Up New Customers
By 4.9.07
Vonage caught a break and can continue to sign up new customers after being found guilty of infringing patents belonging to Verizon. According to Marketwatch: “A federal court of appeals issued a stay that allows Holmdel, N.J.-based Vonage to continue to do business as usual until an appeal is heard. Vonage is seeking to make the stay permanent.” So, to amuse ourselves whilst we await the outcome of the appeal, here’s some intelligent analysis of the infringing patents.
Avoid IRS Audits
By 4.9.07
WSJ says the IRS is ramping up its audits this year, especially for high-earners. Here’s some ways to duck the ax.
How Effective Is The Do Not Call Registry?
By 4.8.07
A report recently released by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hails the Do Not Call registry as “an effective consumer protection initiative.” Since its inception in 2003, the registry has grown to include 132 million numbers.
The agency said the program’s primary goal of reducing unwanted telemarketing calls is succeeding, largely due to a “high degree of compliance by telemarketers.” The report notes that while roughly 1.15 million complaints were received in fiscal 2006 from 374,937 registered phone numbers, that was the equivalent of only about one-quarter of 1 percent of the numbers in the database.
Telemarketers are required to pay an annual fee to access the list so they know whose dinner not to interrupt. Still, the FTC put down its fork and left the table to fine 28 companies, including DirecTV, for calling people on the Do Not Call registry.
Walmart Pulls Tainted Pet Food By Day, Restocks It By Night
By 4.7.07
Walmart is recalling tainted pet food during the day, only to restock it again at night. This egregious display of corporate ineptitude was detailed to The News & Observer by Walmart merchandise supervisor, Johnnie Walker.
Walker said he had removed the products earlier in the week, but clerks restocked the shelves overnight, unaware that the pet food had been recalled. “At night they didn’t know better,” Walker said. “It’s just confusing.”
Though the pet food recall has expanded to over 100 brands, Walmart has been unable to implement a recall strategy that extends beyond blocking the purchase of tainted items at the register. If your pet wants food, consider shopping somewhere other than Walmart. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
Lawsuit: What Is The Meaning Of "Made From Sugar?"
By 4.6.07
Equal, once the nation’s leading brand of artificial sweetener, is suing competitor and current leader Splenda for misleading customers with its tag line “Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar.” From the New York Times:
“The phrase ‘made from sugar’ may seem simple enough, but it has spawned an epic battle among the parties over proper diction and syntax,” the judge overseeing the case, Gene E. K. Pratter, wrote in an opinion last month.
No New Customers: Judge Bars Vonage From Serving New Accounts
By 4.6.07
Roger Warin, a lawyer for Vonage, told the court the choice between a partial stay and a total prohibition on using the Verizon technology amounted to “cutting off oxygen or a bullet to the head” for Vonage.
12 Common Tax-Filing Mistakes You Can Avoid
By 4.6.07
Bankrate has 12 common and avoidable mistakes people make when filing their taxes.
Taxes: Deductions For Non-Itemizers
By 4.6.07
Even if you’re just going to claim the standard deduction, Don’t Mess With Taxes says there’s above-the-line “deductions” you can take.
FDA: Dog Chews Contaminated With Salmonella
By 4.6.07
The FDA is warning that certain dog chews have been contaminated with salmonella. The product in question, American Bullie A.B. Bull Pizzle Puppy Chews and Dog Chews, were manufactured by T.W. Enterprises of Ferndale, Washington.
Leaky Roof Blamed For Salmonella Peanut Butter
By 4.6.07
Childs said the company traced the salmonella outbreak to three problems at its Sylvester, Ga., plant last August.
Walmart Disney Princesses Easter Basket Recalled For Choking Hazard
By 4.5.07
A Disney Princesses Easter basket sold exclusively at Walmart has been recalled by the CPSC today. The silver beads and ribbons attached to the basket can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Parents can return the basket to Walmart for a full refund.
US Government Sues Jackson Hewitt Alleging "Pervasive Fraud"
By 4.5.07
The US Government has filed “civil injunction suits against five corporations that operate Jackson Hewitt tax preparation franchises, as well as 24 individuals who manage or work at the franchises.” The suits allege that employees at 5 Jackson Hewitt franchisees committed pervasive fraud.
Taxpayer's Advocate Service Gets Your IRS Issues Unstuck
By 4.5.07
If you’ve got a longstanding tax issue that you’ve tried to resolve with the IRS but were unable, get in touch with your local Taxpayer Advocate. It’s an independent office within the IRS whose job is to see that citizen’s tax issues are “promptly and fairly” handled.
