Fans of Blue Bell ice cream who have been living without the stuff after the company was forced to shut down production will surely be pleased to hear that dessert salvation could be nigh: Blue Bell Creameries says a Texas billionaire has made a “significant” investment in the company, something that could help it get its products back on freezer shelves. [More]
Quality & Safety
Food Companies Could Face Federal Criminal Charges Over Tainted Products
By 7.13.15
Between ice cream, smoothies, hummus, more ice cream, spinach, spinach ravioli, spinach lasagna, and caramel apples, we’ve seen a lot of recalls in recent months for tainted food — and that’s just listeria, one of many pathogens that could make you ill after eating. Now the U.S. Dept. of Justice is letting food producers know that poisoning consumers could result in more than just having to issue a few recalls. [More]
1.7 Million Pounds Of Barber Foods Chicken Products Recalled For Possible Salmonella
By 7.13.15
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the government agency that has jurisdiction only over foods containing meat for some reason that we don’t understand, has recalled 1,707,494 pounds of frozen chicken products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. [More]
FDA Requiring Stronger Heart Attack & Stroke Warnings For Many Common Painkillers
By 7.10.15
The Food and Drug Administration is looking to make consumers more aware of potential risks for heart attack and stroke associated with a popular class of painkillers that many of us use on a frequent basis for everyday aches and soreness. [More]
Legislation Would Allow Some Rental Car Companies To Rent Vehicles Under Recall If They Give Notice
By 7.10.15
In 2014, auto manufacturers recalled nearly 60 million vehicles, including millions that are handed from one customer to another by rental companies. While the major rental car companies promised back in 2012 that they would stop renting and leasing recalled vehicles, new legislation would allow some to send potentially dangerous cars back on the road. [More]
Perdue Says Half Its Chickens Now Raised Without Any Antibiotics At All
By 7.8.15
Almost a year ago, Perdue — one of the biggest names in chicken — announced its hatcheries would cease using antibiotics that were medically important to human beings, and today the company said that it has reached a milestone in the move to curb the dangerous overuse of these vital drugs, claiming that more than half of its birds are now being raised without the use of any sort of antibiotics at all. [More]
Study Spoiling 4th Of July Fun Says Fireworks Release Harmful Particulates Into The Air
By 6.30.15
Just in time for the Fourth of July comes some news that might put a damper on your celebrations: A new study says exploding fireworks create toxic air pollution that could be harmful to your health. Happy Independence Day, everyone. [More]
CDC Warns Everyone Not To Poop In Pools And Hot Tubs
By 6.26.15
Are you planning any summer fun that includes pools or hot tubs? If so, you’ll probably want to pay attention to the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who want everyone to avoid vacation-ruining gastrointestinal illnesses this summer. [More]
Lululemon Recalls Drawstrings From Tops Because No One Wants To Be Hit Repeatedly While Running
By 6.25.15
The last thing you want to endure after finishing your workout or while enjoying a little down time in your comfy-cozy sweatshirt is for the strings on that thing to attack. But that’s apparently what’s been happening for owners of several Lululemon Althletica apparel items, and now the company has recalled an inordinate amount of women’s tops. [More]
Wish-Bone Recalling Some Bottles Of Ranch Dressing Because They’re Full Of Blue Cheese
By 6.24.15
One of the worst tricks you could pull on a ranch dressing devotee? Filling a bottle labeled as such with blue cheese instead. It could also be quite the problem for anyone allergic to eggs, as that known allergen isn’t declared on bottles of Wish-Bone Ranch Dressing, some of which were accidentally filled with blue cheese dressing instead. Pinnacle Foods has issued a voluntary recall of the mixed up bottles, after a consumer noticed the mistake. Yet another reminder why it’s good to speak up. [via FDA.gov] [More]
NHTSA Considering Options To Speed Up Takata Airbag Replacement, Seeks Updated Recall Details
By 6.23.15
Now that automakers have identified all 33.8 million vehicles equipped with potential shrapnel-shooting Takata airbags, federal regulators are looking for ways to speed up the repair process. [More]
Another Report Finds NHTSA Failed To Hold Automakers Responsible For Defects, Other Issues
By 6.22.15
The hits keep on coming for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Less than a month after internal reports determined the agency failed to adequately address the General Motors ignition switch defect that has been linked to more than 100 deaths, an audit from the U.S. Department of Transportation identified a plethora of shortcomings within the auto-safety regulator’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that prevent it from properly protecting consumers from vehicle defects. [More]
Niagara Bottled Water Recalls Products Under Several Brand Names Due To E. Coli Concerns
By 6.22.15
If you’ve got bottled water in the fridge or pantry, you might want to check if it’s included in a recent recall of several brands under the Niagara umbrella, after the company issued a voluntary recall for all spring water products produced from its Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities between June 10-18. [More]
Regulators Identify All Vehicles Recalled For Defective Takata Airbags
By 6.18.15
Consumers worried that they may be driving around with what some have likened to an explosive device in their steering wheel and dashboard can breathe a small sigh of relief, as federal regulators say all 33.8 million vehicles equipped with potential shrapnel-shooting Takata airbags have been identified. [More]
Customer Claims California KFC Served Him Deep-Fried Rat
By 6.17.15
UPDATE: KFC gave Consumerist an updated statement on the situation saying the company believes the whole thing is a hoax. [More]
FDA Says Artificial Trans-Fat No Longer Approved For Use In Food
By 6.16.15
Artificial trans fats are believed to promote coronary disease by increasing the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood while decreasing the levels of good cholesterol. While the use of partially hydrogenated oils — the largest dietary source of these trans fats — has dropped significantly in the last decade, there is still concern about their continued use and the impact it’s having on consumer health. Today, the FDA declared that these oils are no long “generally recognized as safe” [GRAS] for use in human food and is giving manufacturers three years to eliminate them from prepared food products. [More]
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Shuts Down Again Over Listeria Contamination
By 6.12.15
That didn’t last long. About a month ago, Ohio-based Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams was reopening its scoop shops following an April recall of all of its products for listeria contamination. But this morning, the company’s CEO announced some bad news. [More]
Acuras Recalled Because They Auto-Brake For Imaginary Obstacles
By 6.11.15
Automatic braking is a feature available that car manufacturers offer on their higher-end models as part of feature and safety packages. The idea is simple: if your car recognizes that there’s something in front of it, it stops. Except for some model year 2014 and 2015 Acura SUVs and sedans: there have been documented cases where they stop when there is no obstacle in front of the cars. [More]
