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Yet Another Recall? Beef From Whole Foods

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Sorry to spread the bad news, but we have yet another recall to deal with. Whole Foods voluntarily recalled more than 1.2 million pounds of ground beef that has come from Coleman Natural Beef's Nebraska Beef processing plant. It pains me to say it but E. coli strikes again. Over 31 illnesses in 12 US states and Canada have been linked to this contaminated meat, but officials have yet to name the states (not sure what's up with that). Apparently this recall comes after the same company recalled 5.3 million pounds of meat a month ago, that was linked to at least 49 cases of E. coli. Geez.

The beef in the 24 Whole Foods locations in Northern California are not involved, since their meat comes from Country Natural Beef in Oregon, a supplier not listed in the beef recall. Another chain, Fred Meyers, is also pulling meat from their shelves. The ground beef in question was sold between July 2 and Aug. 6. If you're concerned about the beef at your local Whole Foods or natural grocery store, it's best to contact the store directly.

The USDA is still investigating, so I'm sure more info will be coming. It's just so upsetting that these recalls continue to plague our food system. Does this latest recall inspire you to start eating veggie burgers?

Source

Recall: 286,000 Pounds of Meat and Poultry

FitSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:15:00 -0700

If you're thinking about grilling this week or have a freezer packed with convenience foods, check your meat. Gourmet Boutique, a food company based in Queens, NY, is recalling 286,000 pounds of meat and poultry. The recall is voluntary and includes more than 30 types of fresh and frozen products produced by the company, which may be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The USDA reports that the contamination was discovered in sampling done by federal food safety inspectors and Florida agriculture officials.

The recall includes fresh meat and chicken salad produced between April 19 and 24, 2008. The frozen products were produced between Oct. 23, 2007 and April 23, 2008. Some of the products to look out for are Gourmet Boutique Curry Chicken Salad, Gourmet Boutique Turkey Club Twister, and Jan’s Buffalo Bob tortilla wrap sandwiches. Frozen foods include Archer Farms mini beef burritos, pulled-pork burritos, and chicken burritos.

There haven't been any cases of illness yet, but the bacteria could potentially cause Listeriosis, which involves a high fever, headache, and nausea. More seriously, people with weak immune systems could suffer from fatal infections. Consumers with questions about the recall can call Gourmet Boutique's recall hotline at (347) 887-0083.

Source

Mommy Alert! Ellaroo Carrier Recalled

lilsugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Check your sling for safety! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling 1,200 Ellaroo Ring Sling Baby Carrriers ($100) since the aluminum rings can bend or break posing a potential hazard for the child in the sling.

Though no one has been injured, the company has received four reports of the rings bending and two of the rings breaking.

If you have one of the slings that was sold between June 2007 through February 2008 at national retailers like Babies R Us, discontinue use immediately and contact Ellaroo for a replacement.

Mommy Alert! Baby Einstein Crib Toys

lilsugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:19 -0800

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Kids II Inc. have voluntarily recalled 15,000 Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Soothing Seascape Crib Toys sold between November 2007 and January 2008 for around $25.

They have received 23 reports of the anchors breaking off of the toy which could potentially cause a choking hazard though no injuries were reported.

If you own this toy, discontinue use immediately and contact Kids II at (866) 203-6788 for a replacement.

Mommy Alert! Baby Sterling Silver Teethers

lilsugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:00:24 -0800

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall for 200 Elegant Baby sterling silver teethers that were sold between February 2005 and September 2006.

The decorative piece can break off of the $50 teethers and pose a choking hazard. The company has already received one report of the heart breaking off of a teether and becoming lodged in a baby's mouth. If you own this product, discontinue use immediately and contact Elegant Baby for a refund.

Mommy Alert! Cranium Cadoo Recall

lilsugar — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:00:30 -0800

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 38,000 Cranium Cadoo Board Games that were sold between October 2007 through January 2008 for about $20.

The popular children's game's die has excessive levels of lead on its surface paint. Though no incidents or injuries have been reported, anyone with a board game lot number (printed under the plastic tray on the bottom half of the box) between 2007195 and 2007244 should discontinue use immediately, throw away the die and contact Cranium, Inc. at (877) 272-6486 to receive a replacement.

Mommy Alert! Recall For Hib Vaccination

babysugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:00:47 -0800

The last thing you need as a new mother is another concern, unfortunately Merck & Co. issued a press release giving you one more thing to worry about.

According to the Center For Disease Control, about one million doses of the Merck & Co. manufactured common Hib vaccines are being recalled because of a risk of contamination. The Hib vaccine is administered to children two-months-old and up and is intended to prevent meningitis and pneumonia, among other infections.

Luckily, Merck has not received any reports of abscesses or disseminated B. cereus infection in children who received vaccines from affected lots. For children who have been given the specified lot, they may be at risk for developing localized or disseminated infections. The good news is that these type infections should show up within one week of the vaccination.

While most parents will probably be concerned about whether their children received one of the contaminated vaccinations, others might worry about the availability of sterile ones for their child's next appointment. The CDC says it is assessing availability of the Hib vaccine and timing of future supply, and will make appropriate recommendations soon.

If you have more questions regarding this recall, Merck & Co. has a National Service Center available at 1-800-672-6372.

Source

Mommy Alert: Graco Infant Snug Ride Voluntary Recall

babysugar — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 07:59:17 -0800

It's hard to believe that one of the most popular infant car seats that was rated Consumer Report's Best Buy, has announced a voluntary recall of its Graco 2007 Stand Alone Infant Snug Ride ($69–$89). According to their site:

"Graco has determined that the backing of the seat pad on certain stand-alone SnugRide infant car seats manufactured in the United States, may be prone to deterioration or tearing, especially after washing. If this occurs, children occupying the car seat may be able to remove the padding material from the back of the seat pad and place it in their mouths, posing a potential choking hazard.

This notice does not affect SnugRide car seats sold with a stroller as part of a Travel System.

This issue does not affect the ability of the child restraint system to protect the occupant in the event of a motor vehicle crash."

Check your seat and see if you need to order the replacement parts. This is for seats sold between Aug. 1, 2006 through Jun. 30, 2007. Luckily, no injuries have been reported. Thanks for the heads up, Graco!

Does "MADE IN THE USA" Make You More Comfortable?

babysugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:30:02 -0800

In light of all the recalls, toy manufacturers are being held accountable for products that are below health and safety standards. And, as a result, toy company images are being tarnished with every new recall. Congresswoman Louise McIntosh Slaughter has encouraged Mattel to reopen their manufacturing plant in New York in an attempt to rehabilitate their image, especially for their Fisher-Price brand. The company closed their last American plant in 2001. Since then, nearly 65 percent of their toys are made in China with the rest made in other foreign countries. Does it make a difference if the toy you buy says "MADE IN THE USA" as opposed to "MADE IN CHINA"?Source

Does "MADE IN THE USA" Make You More Comfortable?

You Bet!

I Can Go Either Way.

Nah. I Don't Even Notice.

Recall After Recall

babysugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:00:24 -0800

It seems like there is another toy being recalled every day. Last week, Aqua Dots, Curious George, Wendy Bellissimo cribs, Dollar Store children's sunglasses, and Fisher Price medical kits were just some of the items recalled.

How are these products making it to the shelves in the first place? Wouldn't it make sense to test products before they go on sale?

BabyCenter has implemented their own process for recalled toys and is taking the following actions:

Notifying people who have purchased a recalled product within 24 hours of its recall.
Testing all products sold on the site.
Displaying the origin of select toys and products.
Posting unedited product reviews.

To keep abreast of recalls, you can subscribe to an email alert from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Play safe!