Qwest would like you to know they’ve launched some fancy new “Consumer Internet Protection.”
Quality & Safety
By 10.2.07
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Target Recalls Plush Boys Rattles (choking), Cook’s Essential Electric Toasters (fire), Timberland Recalls Steel Toe Boots Due (foot injury hazard).
Media Roundup: What Should Parents Do About Recalled Toys?
By 9.30.07
The toy recalls are still big news and something (the autumnal equinox, perhaps?) triggered an avalanche of “Oh, no! What should parents do?” advice stories from the media. Most, if not all, mentioned recalls.org,but you can also subscribe to Consumerist’s “recalls” feed.
Safety Experts Urge FDA To Ban OTC Cough And Cold Meds For Kids Under 6
By 9.29.07
The New York Times is reporting that safety experts are urging the FDA to consider a ban of all “over-the-counter, multisymptom cough and cold medicines for children under 6.”
California Bill To Mandate Disclosure Of Bottled Water Source, Quality
By 9.29.07
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is considering a bill that would require bottled water to bear a label clearly stating the source of the water, contact information for the bottler, and the location of recent water quality reports. SB 220 sailed through the California Legislature earlier this month, and would remind bottled water guzzlers that they are shelling out big bucks for a free, public resource.
The confusion has put some companies in hot water. PepsiCo Inc.’s Aquafina brand and Coca-Cola Co.’s Dasani were slammed by consumer and environmental groups for failing to clearly note that their products came from water systems.
Volkswagen Recalls 340k Cars That Fail To Meet US Safety Standards
By 9.28.07
Volkwagen is recalling 340k cars because they “may be missing required caps in the sockets of the low beam horizontal and vertical aiming screws.” We’re not sure why that is important, but we’re sure that they wouldn’t bother recalling the cars if it wasn’t.
By 9.28.07
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Mini Zooper Doll Strollers (severed fingers, entrapment), Estes-Cox X-15 Flying Model Rockets (impact injury), Colanta Cheese (Staphylococcus aureus).
Lead Recall Watch: 11,395,350 Items Recalled For Lead Contamination In 2007
By 9.28.07
Here at Consumerist we’ve been keeping an eye on the 2007 lead contamination recalls. Here’s September’s update:
Participating In A Clinical Study? You're On Your Own
By 9.28.07
The FDA’s own parent department, the Department of Health and Human Services, just issued a report that says the FDA “does very little to ensure the safety of the millions of people who participate in clinical trials,” according to the New York Times. The FDA has 200 inspectors, some of whom are part-time, to monitor 350,000 testing sites—and even when they reported “serious problems,” their findings were downgraded 68% of the time by higher-ups in Washington.
Play Yards Recalled Because Of Death Due To Design Flaw
By 9.28.07
The 425,000 play yards that were recalled yesterday were recalled because of a design flaw that caused the strangulation of a 10-month-old boy.
Toyota To Recall Floor Mats In 2007 Lexus And Camry
By 9.27.07
Toyota is recalling optional “all-weather” floor mats used in the 2007 Lexus and Camry because they could slip and trap the accelerator pedal. This, quite obviously, would be very, very bad.
FDA Issues Public Health Warning About Cancer Pain Drug Fentora
By 9.27.07
The FDA would like to let you know that a medicine meant to be used to control pain in patients who have become tolerant to morphine and other similar drugs is being used incorrectly and some patients have died as a result.
By 9.27.07
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Kolcraft’s “Sesame Beginnings” Travel Play Yard (strangulation).
Consumer Group Finds Lead In More Children's Toys
By 9.27.07
Extremely high levels of lead were found in a Go Diego Go backpack, a Superfly monkey and a pair of Circo Lulu boots, the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (a group dedicated to ridding the world of PVC) reported in a new study released yesterday. In all, 11 items they tested contained lead levels and/or heavy metals well over the safety standard, 10 of which contained PVC, or vinyl. The backpack had levels of 4,600 parts per million. The CPSC standard is 600 parts per million.
Is Fuze Violating Labeling Law By Making Bogus Health Claims?
By 9.26.07
The always entertaining Center for Science in the Public Interest is irritated with Coca-Cola’s Fuze drinks because they make ridiculous health claims on their labels.
RC2 Continued To Sell Lead Tainted "Thomas & Friends" Toys After Initial Recall
By 9.26.07
According to a recall notice just posted by the CPSC, RC2 is recalling additional “Thomas & Friends” toys that are contaminated with lead-based paint.
By 9.26.07
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More Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys (lead), Happy Giddy Gardening Tools and Children’s Sunny Patch Chairs sold at Target (lead), Britain’s “Knights of the Sword” Series Toys (lead), Jo-Ann Stores Children’s Toy Rake (lead), Guidecraft Floor Puppet Theaters (lead), : Rhode Island Novelty Children’s Spinning Wheel-Metal Necklaces (lead), More TOBY N.Y.C. Children’s Metal Jewelry (lead), Quesos Sabrosos Mexicanos Queso Cincho de Guerrero (salmonella).
Hamburger Recalled For E. Coli After 6 Illnesses Reported In New York
By 9.26.07
6 people have fallen ill due to e. coli contaminated frozen hamburger, according to the Associated Press. Three of the illnesses required hospitalization.
