Because heaven forbid a medicine can do something good without some sort of nasty side-effect, a newly released study claims that a popular class of medications used to regulate blood pressure may also slightly increase the takers’ risk of getting cancer. [More]
Quality & Safety
FDA Cracking Down on DNA-Test Providers
By 6.12.10
After scaring Walgreens out of the genetic-testing business, the FDA has now decided to crack down on the entire industry, and will be subjecting DNA tests to the same rules that it applies to medical devices such as blood-glucose meters. [More]
Study: Overwhelming Number Of Kids' Drinks & Snacks Contain Lead
By 6.11.10
In a newly released report from the Environmental Law Foundation, nearly 150 varieties of beverages and fruit snacks marketed to children were tested for lead levels — and the results were not exactly good. [More]
New Recalls Of Death And Dismay
By 6.11.10
Watch out for these products! They might kill or harm you, so they have been recalled. [More]
The Frankenburger: What Happens When Burger King, Wendy's and McDonald's Collide
By 6.11.10
Forget the Double Down or the McGangBang, the ultimate fast food burger has been found — the Frankenburger. And when I say “ultimate,” I literally mean this could be the final thing you ever eat. [More]
Ikea Recalls 3.36 Million Blinds Over Strangulation Risk
By 6.10.10
After receiving a report that a 1-1/2 year old child nearly strangled to death on a loose cord, Ikea — along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada — has issued a recall on all Roman and Roll-up blinds, as well as roller blinds that do not have a tension device attached to the bead chain, sold between Jan. 1998 and June 2009. [More]
Super Cool Pirates Of The Caribbean Bed Recalled Due To Not Cool Entrapment Hazard
By 6.9.10
As a child, I was always jealous of my friends who had really rad theme beds like racing cars, construction vehicles, planes and trains. So here’s a bit of good news for all the envious little ones out there: That cool Pirates of the Caribbean boat bed your friend sleeps on has just been recalled. [More]
Um, Shouldn't The FDA Have The Power To Recall Dangerous Food?
By 6.9.10
If you thought the FDA had the power to recall dangerous food already, you’d be mistaken. Apparently, they need to “coax” the company into it. Changing this and increasing the agency’s budget are among the changes recommended by a new report by The Institute of Medicine, says Reuters. [More]
Got A Shrek Drinking Glass? McDonald's Will Pay You $3 For It
By 6.8.10
McDonald’s is upping the ante in its recall of the not-so-collectible Shrek drinking glasses. Although the four glass designs were recalled officially on June 4th by the CPSC, McDonald’s has announced that starting tomorrow you’ll be able to bring them back to the restaurant, fill out a refund form, and get a $3 refund per glass. [More]
Heated Wiper Fluid System Wants To Light Your GM Car On Fire
By 6.8.10
1.5 million GM vehicles are equipped with a heated windshield fluid system that was previously recalled due to fires– but that apparently is still smoking even after being fixed.
The Detroit Free Press says that GM kept monitoring the part in question — the so-called HotShot system made by supplier Micro-Heat. After the first recall, GM withheld payments to cover its costs, which forced the company to liquidate. Now that the supplier is out of business and the product is still a potential fire hazard, GM is offering to remove the system and compensate owners with $100.
Consumer Reports Shows Some Love For The Ove Glove
By 6.7.10
I always get nervous when I find out that our labcoat-loving kin at Consumer Reports are about to test a product that I’ve grown to be fond of. It’s like taking one of those online IQ tests and worrying that somehow you’re going to find out you’re nowhere near as smart as your mom always said you were. Thus, I’ve been curious and anxious to find out the results of CR’s test on the Ove Glove, the Kevlar-containing oven mitt that has helped me fetch any number of piping hot items from the heart of a fire-breathing oven. [More]
Science Behind 'Lie To Me' May Be Questionable Even For TV Show Premise
By 6.7.10
Screening Passengers by Observation Technique or (SPOT) is a real, but apparently pseudo-scientific program run by the TSA that claims to train security personnel to detect tiny facial cues that will identify terrorists and other criminals as they pass through the airport. The trouble, it seems, is that the likelihood that all of this is a bunch of bs is rather high. [More]
Brake Fluid Leaks & Car Fires Prompt Recall Of 600,000 Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler Vehicles
By 6.7.10
Brake fluid leaks and wiring problems are responsible for the recall of almost 600,000 Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles NHTSA announced today. What’s wrong? Your brakes could not work effectively or a fire could start inside the sliding doors of your mini-van. [More]
If Only BP Would Follow The Advice On Its Own Signs
By 6.7.10
Tanja’s friend snapped this shot at a BP-owned gas station. It’s important to remember that if you cause huge, needless spills of petroleum products it’s only right to clean up after yourself. [More]
Chrysler Recalls 25,000 Dodge Caliber & Jeep Compass Vehicles Over Sticky Pedals
By 6.5.10
In the history of the auto industry, 2010 will likely go down as the Year of the Sticky Pedal, as U.S. automaker Chrysler becomes the third car manufacturer this year to issue a recall over potentially stuck accelerators. [More]
New USDA Rules Seek To End Olive Oil Confusion
By 6.4.10
While the rest of the federal government seems to be wrapped up in cleaning up the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Dept. of Agriculture has had its laser beams set on oil from a different source — olives. [More]
Retailers, Manufacturers Agree To Reduce Amount Of Lead Used In Handbags
By 6.4.10
As part of a $1.7 million settlement, over 40 major retailers and apparel manufacturers have agreed to cut back on the amount of lead used in handbags and other accessories. [More]
McDonald's Recalls Shrek Drinking Glasses, And Not Just Because Latest Movie Sucks
By 6.4.10
No, this isn’t a hoax like yesterday’s McRibbles reports. McDonald’s, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, has announced a voluntary recall of their Shrek Forever After Collectible Drinking Glasses because of a risk of exposure to cadmium. [More]
