2014 was a record-setting year in an enormous variety of ways, both good and bad. As we wrap up and head into 2015, here’s a look at what happened, and what we learned, in the 2014 that was. [More]
Quality & Safety
Third Candy Apple Maker Recalls Treats For Possible Listeria Contamination
By 12.30.14
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned consumers to avoid some caramel apples after at least 30 people in 10 states have been infected with Listeriosis due to Listeria monocytogenes. This week a third candy maker is recalling caramel apples, the government said, out of concern that its apples may be tainted with Listeria as well. [More]
Snoqualmie Recalls All Ice Cream Made This Year Due To Possible Listeria Contamination
By 12.24.14
Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream distributes its ice cream, gelato, custard, and sorbet in some states in the western half of this country. That sounds delicious, but the company has issued a surprisingly extensive recall: it is recalling all of the tasty frozen desserts that it has produced this year. Yes, from the beginning of 2014 until December 15. [More]
Takata President, COO Steps Down To “Unify” Response To Massive Airbag Issues
By 12.24.14
Takata Corp., the auto parts supplier behind the airbags responsible for more than 20 million vehicle recalls, is apparently taking steps to “unify” its response to the massive safety issue by replacing its president and COO. [More]
USDA Offers Holiday Food Safety Advice In Case You Don’t Want To Kill Your Family
By 12.23.14
You might be preparing a larger meal this week than you’re used to, or preparing trays of party food, and that means that you run the risk of giving everyone you love a food-borne illness. You can avoid turning your family celebration or classy party into a barfing festival by following a few helpful tips. [More]
FDA To End Full Ban On Blood Donations From Gay, Bisexual Men
By 12.23.14
As things currently stand, any man who has had sex with another man at any point in the last three decades is generally forbidden from donating blood in the U.S. But the head of the Food and Drug Administration announced today that it will begin updating the restrictions so that gay and bisexual men who’ve been celibate for a year will be allowed to donate. [More]
Family Sues Safeway After Mother’s Death Linked To Listeria-Contaminated Caramel Apple Sold At Store
By 12.23.14
Last week officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned consumers to avoid eating prepackaged caramel apples left over from the fall following reports that 29 people fell ill and three died after consuming the sweet treats that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria listeria. Now, a California family has filed a lawsuit against Safeway claiming their mother died after eating the desserts purchased from the store. [More]
Today In Sad Food News: 80,000 Pounds Of Bacon Recalled For Misbranding
By 12.23.14
Let’s all pour out a little bacon grease on the ground for our fallen pork comrades, delicious bits of savory umami that will never reach the lips of consumers: More than 80,000 pounds of bacon have been recalled after a Florida company says the products were misbranded. [More]
Keurig Recalls 7.2 Million MINI Plus Coffee Machines For Burn Concerns
By 12.23.14
After receiving around 200 reports — including 90 cases involving burn-related injuries — of hot liquid overflowing from Keurig MINI Plus coffee makers, the company has issued a recall of more than 7 million of the machines in North America. [More]
CDC: Listeria Contaminated Pre-Packaged Caramel Apples Linked to Four Deaths, 28 Illnesses
By 12.19.14
The holidays are full of sweet treats and fresh-baked goods. But if your snacking plans included finishing off those prepackaged caramel apples from fall, you better come up with different plans. That’s because federal officials say the desserts may be the source of a multi-state listeria outbreak that has been linked to at least five deaths. [More]
![Officials with Takata took out full-page ads in major U.S. newspapers to reassure customers. [Click to Enlarge]](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/takata.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Ford Takes Takata Airbag Recall Nationwide, Adds Additional 500,000 Vehicles
By 12.18.14
For the second time this month Ford has announced plans to expand its recall of vehicles equipped with Takata-produced airbags that may spew shrapnel at passengers upon deployment. Not only does the latest recall cover nearly 500,000 vehicles, it finally takes into consideration the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations’ request to include vehicles currently registered nationwide. [More]
FDA: Going To The Mall For Your Ultrasounds Probably Isn’t A Good Idea, Even If It Comes With A Keepsake Gift
By 12.17.14
Any expectant parent would likely jump at the chance to see their developing bundle of joy. But while commercial ultrasound businesses might seem like the perfect place to catch a glimpse, the Food & Drug Administration is once again warning consumers that non-medical ultrasounds and heartbeat monitors aren’t exactly safe. [More]
December Recall Roundup: Nobody Likes A Melted Battery Charger
By 12.15.14
The Recall Roundup for December is not very merry, especially if you’re in the market for electronic devices. Here’s a collection of appliances and devices that could cause overheating and discomfort or actual property damage. [More]
Washington State Issues Emergency Shellfish Recall After Illness Reported
By 12.12.14
Consuming raw seafood is always a gamble, and for a dozen people it turned out to be an unsuccessful wager. And so, Washington state health officials are ordering an emergency harvest closure and recall of shellfish shipped throughout the country. [More]
Del Monte Recalls Fruit Snack Packs Potentially Contaminated With Listeria
By 12.10.14
Sure, we feel like we’re doing something righteous and healthy when we buy a package of cut fresh fruit for a snack instead of cookies or a candy bar, but there are times when choosing fresh fruit can come back to bite you. That’s the case for some Del Monte fruit snacks sold in grocery and convenience stores. [More]
Cucumbers Were Probably Culprits In E. Coli Outbreak At Jimmy John’s
By 12.9.14
Escherichia coli is a bacterium that’s part of the normal intestinal flora of warm-blooded organisms, including humans. It’s pretty harmless most of the time, but when “fecal contamination” between different organisms occurs, it can result in a very serious illness. It took more than a year, but authorities in Colorado have traced a September 2013 E. coli outbreak to one specific food: cucumbers from Jimmy John’s sandwich shops in three towns in Colorado. [More]
December Food And Supplement Recall Roundup – Diet Drugs Are Not Bee Pollen
By 12.9.14
In our December recall roundup, bodybuilding supplements contain steroids, caramel-filled chocolate bites have peanut butter in them, and fungus-contaminated probiotic powder had a horrible, tragic result. Also, maybe people should reconsider this whole thing where we buy commercial bean sprouts. [More]
FDA: Idaho Knew About Chobani Mold Issue Before Yogurts Started Exploding
By 12.8.14
Last year, fungal contamination in yogurt made in Chobani’s new plant in Idaho led to problems with their products distributed nationwide. These problems ranged from “this yogurt tastes funny” to in-fridge explosions to dozens of illnesses that consumers attributed to the yogurt. Now, the Idaho plant’s local newspaper has learned that the state government may have known about the mold contamination long before any yogurts were pulled from stores. [More]
