I’ve been a fan and loyal devotee of Parkay Margarine since I was a kid. Imagine the letdown and disappointment when I picked up a new tub of the margarine and felt it was remarkably lighter in weight. It looks like whipping a bunch of air into a pound of margarine makes it 20% lighter and the same cost to the consumer. After searching all over for a tub of “original” to compare it to, I found that the “new” Parkay is now 13 ounces instead of 16 ounces. Not only that, but it comes in the same sized tub and costs the same too.
Quality & Safety
The 10 Worst Toys For 2007
By 11.14.07
Boston-based World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc., or W.A.T.C.H., has announced its top-10 list of the worst toys you can buy kids this Christmas. This is a rather pointless year for a list like this, considering the massive expansion of the Unsafe Toy Industry; in fact, the first item on their list was recalled back in October for lead paint. Still, there are some fun discoveries on the list, like “Sticky Stones,” small piles of easy-to-eat magnets, and the “Spider Man 3 New Goblin Sword,” because its “spring-loaded blade expands to more than 3 feet long, creating the potential for facial injuries.” If they could just combine the Goblin Sword with the Oozinator, we’d have a Dateline special on our hands.
E.Coli Meat Just Gets A "Cook-Only" Label Slapped On
By 11.14.07
It’s legal for meat companies to sell meat with food-poisoning bacterium E. coli on it, as long it’s labeled “cook-only.” The result, say anonymous USDA inspectors speaking with the Chicago Tribune, is higher levels of E. coli are tolerated in the plants.
By 11.14.07
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The Norwegian food safety authority suprise-inspected Norway’s “largest erotic chain store” and determined it was violating food labeling laws by not including nutritional info on things like penis-shaped pasta and edible panties. [Reuters]
Carbon Monoxide-Treated Meat Is Here To Stay, For Now
By 11.14.07
In hearings today, the meat producers Hormel Foods Corp and Cargill Inc testified that the practice of treating meat with carbon monoxide to preserve its red color is safe and should be allowed. As a compromise, they suggested a label on all CO-treated meat and fish that reminded consumers to refer to the date on the package to determine its freshness. According to Reuters, “officials at the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Agriculture Department said they stand by the safety of the carbon monoxide practice and would revisit the process if new data becomes available.”
By 11.13.07
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Dollar Store children’s sunglasses (lead), Nike Football Helmet Chin Straps (they can break), Iceberg Enterprises folding chairs (falling), Del Rey tortillas (nausea), Tortilla land Beef Tamales (pieces of metal), Napastyle Romano Pitchers and Tumblers (lead), Kroger Light Caesar Salad Dressing (undeclared milk, eggs, and anchovies).
Recalled Toys Featured In Walmart's Holiday Catalog
By 11.13.07
One of the unintended consequences of so many toy recalls is that holiday catalogs, printed far in advance, are now full of recalled toys.
By 11.12.07
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Recalled: CareFree warm mist humidifiers by Hunter Fan Co., due to water leaks that could start a fire. [Los Angeles Times]
Zyrtec Goes Behind-The-Counter
By 11.12.07
Zyrtec users can now buy it without a prescription—but they’ll have to show ID because it going to be sold from behind the counter with the other meth supplies. [Associated Press]
9 Children Hospitalized After Eating GHB-Filled Aqua Dots
By 11.12.07
The CPSC says 9 children have been hospitalized after eating Aqua Dots beads. The craft toy contains a glue that breaks down in party drug GHB when ingested. The toy was made by a Chinese factory, whose license was suspended following the recall. Reportedly, the toxic glue cost 1/3 less than the glue they were supposed to use.
Curious George Dolls Finally Recalled For Lead Contamination
By 11.9.07
About a month ago, the Center for Environmental Health announced that they’d found high levels of lead in an unrecalled Curious George toy. The manufacturer, Marvel, refused to recall the doll because they said they needed to confirm the tests.
By 11.9.07
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Babies R Us Wendy Bellissimo Collection Convertible Cribs (entrapment, strangulation), Dollar Store Children’s Fashion Sunglasses (lead), Coby Electronics spheroid DVD/CD/MP3 Players (fire), Honda HRX217KHXA and HRX217KHMA Lawn Mowers (fire), Yamaha AC Power Adaptors used with keyboards and digital drum sets (shock).
CPSC Head To Washington Post: My Trips Paid For By Manufacturers Were Okay!
By 11.8.07
A letter to the editor by CPSC chairperson Nancy was published in the Washington Post today. She feels that the Washington Post misrepresented the nature of several trips she took, trips which were paid for in full or in part by companies under her agency’s domain. Particularly, she got peeved about people saying how the CPSC has only one toy inspector.
By 11.8.07
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AquaDots (contain chemical that turns into date rape drug GHB after you eat it), Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP) (fire), “Robot 2000” collectible tin robot (lead), Dizzy Ducks Music Box (lead), Winnie-the-Pooh Spinning Top (lead), Duck Family Collectible Wind-Up Toy (lead), Dollar Store Super Wheels (lead), Dragster and Funny Car toy (lead), Northern Tool & Equipment “Big Red” Wagons (lead).
"Hide Your Old Pills In Poop"
By 11.7.07
The Reuters headline is so perfect, we can’t improve upon it. Hide your old pills in poop, folks, before you discard them, especially ones that are frequently abused like the painkillers oxycodone, morphine, and fentanyl, and the stimulant methylphenidate.
Recalled Date Rape Drug-Filled Toy Looks Pretty Cool
By 11.7.07
This is but one of millions of magical scenes you can create with Bindeez, a popular Australian toy whose beads were found to be metabolizable into rave party drug GHB. Low doses of GHB are said to induce, “euphoria, increased enjoyment of movement and music, increased libido, increased sociability and intoxication,” the same feelings we’re getting by looking at the splendor-laden craft project!
By 11.7.07
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Swimways “Skippy” Pool Toys (laceration), Hunter Fan Warm Mist Carefree Humidifier (fire), Polaris Industries Snowmobiles (fire), Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Vitamin Care for Cats (Salmonella).
Mattel Announces Recall Of 155,000 Toys
By 11.6.07
Today Mattel announced a recall of 155,000 Mexican-made toys being sold in countries throughout Europe and the United States. There’s no lead contamination this time around; the recall was announced “due to concerns that small pieces could detach from the toys and cause children to choke.” The product is the Laugh & Learn Learning Kitchen Toy, part of the Fisher-Price range.
