Strollerderby : recall

Salmonella Might Be In Second Peanut Plant

Brett Singer — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:26:00 GMT

The AP is reporting that samples from a second Texas plant owned by The Peanut Corp. of America have a "presumptive positive" result. What'd they find? Salmonella.

This just keeps getting worse.

The news is currently being reported as a "maybe," and the AP story says that no products from the plant were shipped to consumers. Personally I have a hard time believing that. Not that I have any knowledge of the situation beyond what I've read. I'm just suspicious.

This line made me furious: the plant in Plainview, Texas "had operated unlicensed and uninspected for nearly four years." How exactly does something like that happen?

Are you still giving your kids peanut butter and jelly? Or have you switched to cream cheese or some other sandwich spread?

Source: AP via Yahoo! News

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do To Our Kids?

Morning News - Obama, Limbaugh, Cheese

Whew! Girl Scout Cookies Safe From Peanut Butter Scare

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products Available

Recall after Five People Die; Tainted Peanut Butter Blamed

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products Available

JeanneSager — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:52:00 GMT

If yours is one of those households that depends on peanuty goodness to get through the day, the salmonella scandal of '09 has probably sent you rushing to the cabinets each time a new product has been added to the list.

Take heart - you're not the only one!

To make things a little easier on us, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set up a searchable index of recalled peanut butter products.

Broken down into brand name, product name, lot and/or stock numbers, labels and packaging size, the list puts all of the information you need in one place. But you do have to do a thorough check. The initial page lists "peanut butter product recalls" in a long list, making you think that's where you need to go to get all the peanut butter-related products. Not so. Other sections on the page link to lists of crackers that were recalled because of peanut butter or nutrition bars recalled for the same reason.

The overall list includes the pet foods recalled too - so it hits the whole family. And if you're as freaked out by all these food frenzies as I have become, at least you can get all your stress out in one place!

Image: Costco

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do To Our Kids?

JeanneSager — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:29:00 GMT

The first - and I doubt the last - lawsuit has been filed in the tainted peanut butter scandal.

A mother from Vermont says her seven-year-old son had to be hospitalized from salmonella poisoning after eating Keebler's sandwich crackers, which were filled with a peanut butter spread. Seven weeks later, she says the boy is still recovering.

The makers of the Keelber crackers, Kellogg's, have voluntarily recalled products containing peanut butter that may or may not be tainted, but based on the dates in Gabrielle Meunier's affidavit, young Christopher ate his snacks several weeks before news broke on the possible outbreak and recall.

Like the spinach and tomato scare of 2008, this one has hit home - these are foods my family eats on a relatively regular basis (more so the veggies than the crackers, but peanut butter is a staple in our house). I went rifling through our cabinets when I heard the news and came up with nothing, but who knows what she already powered through (like Amy's kids and those Clif bars).

So what should parents be watching out for? According to the CDC, "most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment."

Lest you think this is a simple few days of noxious diarrhea, Christopher Meunier is recovering, but not every kid is so lucky.

Kids are actually the most likely candidates for salmonellosis (salmonella poisoning). The rate of infections in kids under five is five times higher than the rate of infection in any other age group, and children, the elderly and immunocompromised are the most likely to have severe reactions. The CDC estimates that approximately 400 persons die each year with acute salmonellosis.

So, now that I gave you your mega scare for the day, how about a jelly and cream cheese sandwich?

Image: Costco

Entire School Board Recalled By Angry Students

JeanneSager — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:15:00 GMT

Note to boards of education: listen to your students, you're there for them. Or maybe you're not?

A collection of angry students at one California high school organized a recall election that might well be the first ever in the state to unseat an entire school board. The kids and their adult supporters collected enough signatures to authorize a recall vote on all five members of the board of education at the Big Oak Flat-Groveland Unified School District.

What made the kids this angry? The board fired a popular math teacher. Yes, a math teacher, not a football coach (although he is a former professional football player) or a gym teacher. A guy who teaches one of the core subjects. To be fair, he was also coaching baseball - but that wasn't at the heart of the kids' arguments.

The board released Ryan Dutton from his job teaching math at Tioga High in September over an allegation of plagiarism. Working toward his teaching credentials at Cal State Fresno, Dutton was accused in March 2008 of copying another student's homework. He denied the charge, and the university eventually found it was unfounded. Still, members of the school board say they're standing behind THEIR source, and they've refused to rehire Dutton. Nor have they revealed their sources.

Students have appealed to the board to no avail. So civics teacher Tim King helped them organize a civics project instead: collecting the necessary nine hundred ten signatures per school board member necessary to put the recall on the ballot. They got them. . . and more.

There's scuttlebutt, according to the Los Angeles Times, that these kids are being used to settle old scores in a fractious community. And while I'm often cautious about putting kids on the front lines of these kinds of arguments, I've seen what they can do. As a community reporter, I followed the case of a school librarian cut because of budget constraints, and the students who worked to have her reinstated. The kids were brushed aside by a school board that did not realize the gem they had in their midst - kids who cared enough about a librarian, with no ties to the sports community. They held lengthy executive sessions while the teenagers sat in the high school library, waiting patiently to have someone simply listen to their pleas. Never was there an explanation issued of the way budgeting works, of the intricacies of tenure. Nor was a thank you issued to the kids for their hard work.

Teachers can't always be reinstated simply because the kids care about them. But without the children, there is no school community, no school board. Not listening to them, at least providing some feedback and a "hey, you tried, but. . ." is tantamount to telling them you're not there FOR them.

Image: Los Angeles Times

School to Parents: Donate Toilet Paper

Having a Kid Alone? Don't Tell Me Why I Have it Better

Kids Can Build Habitat Houses Without Lifting a Hammer

China Detains Dad of Baby Sickened by Tainted Milk

JeanneSager — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:01:00 GMT

Parents of the babies sickened by melamine in the Chinese tainted milk scandal shot down a $160 million payout, and now they're being punished. Zhao Lianhai, organizer of a parents' news conference slated for yesterday, was picked up by the Chinese government and detained.

The families' lawyer, Li Fangping, says the government did it just to keep the parents from talking.

The payout would have put $29,000 (200,000 yuan) in the bank accounts of the parents who lost their babies (six in all were killed), while parents whose kids suffered kidney stones would get just $290 (or 2,000 yuan). Parents whose children were sicker -but survived - would likely get $4,380 (30,000 yuan). The plan, outlined in the China Daily, said the total one-time cash payouts (for all parents affected) would be $131 million (900 million yuan). Another $29 million (200 million yuan) would be put into a fund to cover bills for lingering health problems.

The numbers, the parents say, are far too low (and I'd agree with them - $29,000 for a dead child?). Put into Chinese economic terms, one of the families' attorneys said it represents one half of the per capita annual income for rural Chinese residents.

The parents have been advised not to sign anything, and a set of ten parents had planned Friday's press conference to broach their next step. That's been called off, and with Lianhai in custody, nothing has been rescheduled.

Image: Toronto Star

How About Some Placenta in that IV Drip?

Kids Digital Cameras Come Loaded with Computer Virus

Who Buys The Baby Products In Your House?

AAP: Delayed Vaccines Too Risky for Kids

Mylicon Gas Relief Drops RECALL

SunnyChanel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:45:00 GMT

Do you have one of those painfully gassy babies? Are you dosing them with drops of the classic go-to gas reliever Mylicon? If you are, be warned, today there has been a recall of about 12,000 units of the medicine due to the fear that some of the bottles of drops could contain wayward pieces of metal.

Mylicon maker, Johnson & Johnson-Merck Pharmaceuticals has issued a recall for their 1-ounce plastic bottles of their nonstaining dye free gas relief drops that were sent to stores after October 5th of this year. The lots to watch out for are SMF007 and SMF008. You can find out if your drops are part of one runs by looking for the numbers printed on the bottom of the box and/or on the lower-left side of each sticker on the bottle itself.

Not affected in the recall are as AP reported the “bottles of original infant's Mylicon gas-relief products or half-ounce bottles of nonstaining Mylicon gas relief dye-free drops.”

For information on how to get rid of the drops and get a refund or replacement bottle, call 800-222-9435 or visit http://www.mylicon.com.

Via Salon's AP Wire

Clothing Warning! Infant Rash Outbreak

SunnyChanel — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:53:00 GMT

Parents can be pretty paranoid. We worry about things that our kids can choke on, things that could poke their eyes and now we have to worry about what they’re wearing, and from a family trusted company like Carter’s no less! About 400 infants developed a rash on their backs. And today, the government, due to the outbreak, has warned of the usage of Carter’s Inc, baby garments with Tag-less labels from their fall 2007 line. That’s about 110 million garments, their knit pieces such as body suits, shirts, pajamas.

There is no recall on the clothing but the Consumer Product Safety commission said if a rash develops to stop using that piece of clothing. They stated that "It appears that a very small percentage of children can be allergic to one or more ingredients in the labels. The solid, rather than stenciled, background on the fall 2007 labels appears to have produced a more pronounced and noticeable reaction among those children who are most allergic to the ink,"

The First Look at Booster Seats Shows - Unlucky 13 Fail

JeanneSager — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:35:00 GMT

That's it. I'm putting my daughter in a bubble. No, really. I bought a gas guzzler because I wanted the most steel I could put between her and everyone else on the road. I kept that little booty facing backward for as long as the law allowed. I went through one of those car seat inspections to make sure I got it right.

I waited until she was exactly 38 inches (by the pediatrician's measurements, not my writer's math) before putting her in a booster seat. And now this: the first ever review of child's booster seats finds a list of dangers lurking in our backseats. Excuse me, did that say FIRST EVER?

What has the Institute for Highway Safety been doing since, oh, I don't know . . . I was a little kid? Because I had one of those protective mothers (and you wonder where I get it from?) who bought a booster seat for her kid decades before they became a mandate in all but 12 states. These days, 21 states require kids be in a booster seat up until age 6. Another 17 (plus DC) require them until kids are 8. That's a lot of booster seat use. And yet this month the Institute issued its first report on booster seats, put together with the cooperation of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

I guess we could say better late than never. And they did come up with a list of winners - 10 in all (and my daughter's is on there, phewww) - and a list of losers (the unlucky number 13). Here's a look at them all. Let's just hope it doesn't take this long for the next go-round.

Image: Amazon - Graco's TurboBooster, one of the winners

Take Your Kid to Work, But Don't Let them Take Control of a City Train

Keep all Hands and Feet Inside the Vehicle

When is Too Young to Teach Them 911?

Walkie-Talkie Teaches 3-Year-Old About Drugs and Sex

Jen Chaney — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:33:00 GMT

Deborah Pancaro's three-year-old son recently heard some weird stuff on his toy walkie-talkie. First he heard some guys saying "10-4." Then he picked up some chatter about marijuana and plans to visit a strip club.

“They said we should go smoke some weed, and were talking about being in a strip bar, some really explicit things,” Pancaro told the Associated Press.

Turns out the Diego walkie-talkie the West Virginia mom bought at Wal-Mart was intercepting -- you guessed it -- truckers talking via CB radio. (Either that, or it was picking up dialogue from "Pineapple Express.") Pancaro sent a letter to Fisher-Price, manufacturer of the product, asking them to either recall it or fix the toy so it won't be so sensitive to interference. A spokeswoman for Fisher-Price says the company has tried to call Pancaro twice to no avail. Meanwhile, the Wal-Mart Web site says the walkie-talkie has been discontinued. No word on whether the boy has developed a sudden interesting in visiting a place called The Bada Bing.

Neither Diego nor his cousin, Dora the Explorer, had any comment on the matter. When approached by a reporter, Baby Jaguar said he didn't have time to talk because he was really busy trying to score some weed.

(Kidding! Kidding!)

Crib recall

Brett Singer — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:30:00 GMT

ParentDish has an item on a crib recall: apparently 320,000 Jardine Cribs have "slats and spindles [that] can break, creating a gap in which a baby's head could become entrapped." There have been 42 reported cases of this happening, although (thankfully) there are only 4 reported injuries, all minor.

The cribs are sold for anywhere from $150 to $450, depending on the model. I don't know if that's expensive or not, but it certainly sounds pricey.

Anyone with a Jardine Crib should visit this website that the company has set up to handle returns.

A big downside: a commenter on ParentDish points out that "it could take 3 weeks before you are able to get a voucher to get a new one. Where's the little one supposed to sleep?" That kinda sucks.

UPDATE: More info about the cribs and the recall, from people who own them.

image: ParentDish

Elmo Doll Makes Death Threats

Kelly Mills — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:33:00 GMT

This is a strange turn of events. After all, I imagine many talking Elmo dolls have had to listen to muttered death threats from parents weary of that cloying little giggle, that high-pitched voice with the mechanized edge. In fact, I sort of imagine the Elmo dolls sneak out at night and meet at a bar somewhere to drown their sorrows and share stories of the creepy things parents say to them when the kid leaves them wedged between the couch cushions and the parent accidentally sits on Elmo, causing Elmo to say "Elmo loves you" and the parent to say...well, stuff we can't reprint here. But clearly one Elmo has had enough, and fully lost it.

A mom is reporting that her son's Elmo Knows Your Name doll says in a sing-song voice, "Kill James." Raise your hand if that'll give you nightmares? The young owner of the doll is indeed named James, and his mother reports that when she changed the batteries in the Elmo, he began making the death threat. Mom has hidden the doll, and Fisher-Price is offering a voucher for a replacement Elmo and says it will investigate whether other dolls have been making similar threats. Because if there is an army of murderous Elmos on the loose, I really, really need to know that. Elmo knows your name, he knows where you live, he's always, always watching you...

It's Official: FDA Says No Cough Meds for Very Young

Madeline Holler — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:27:00 GMT

We've been expecting this for months. The FDA has finally, officially, issued a warning against giving over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children under 2. This includes even those marketed to and labeled for infants and young children.

Since October, manufacturers quit selling many version of their remedies that were targeted at infants and toddlers. (Though you still see a lot on the shelves, no?)

In the report:

That month, the FDA's scientific advisers also voted that the drugs don't work in small children and shouldn't be used in preschoolers, either — anyone under age 6.

By Spring, the FDA expects to make a recommendation regarding use of decongestants and antihistamines and cough suppressants for older children.

An FDA panel looked into recommending the new FDA warning, after noting that about 1500 babies and toddlers wound up in the ER in two years after having been given these OTC cough and cold medicines. Furthermore, the medicines haven't actually been shown to be effective for kids with colds. Most alarming is that these medicines were approved for use in young children without ever having been studied. Drug makers operated under the notion that children are just smaller adults, and what works for grown-ups works for kids, just in smaller amounts. We now know this isn't the case.

So what's a parent to do? Well, shortly after these reports came out, an interesting study showed honey to be the most effective cough suppressant and we reported it here. Over the holidays, both the kids developed some kind of night cough (dry air?). I decided to give it a try, and it worked! Just last night when I was coughing up my own pair of lungs after a short but intense cold/flu earlier this week, I took a huge spoonful of honey and didn't cough again until morning. So ... just putting that out there.

Photo: AP

Where Do All the Recalled Toys Go?

Karen Murphy — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:49:00 GMT

You know all those Date Rape Doras, Lead Poison Barbies, and Thomas the Tank Engine: the Evil Editions and all the other crappy toys that have been recalled? Yeah, well, maybe you culled your toybox and maybe you even returned your items for a refund or whatever, but...where did those toys go from there? Where are they now? What happens when toys have been recalled?

You'd be surprised (cue music for the Island of Misfit Toys).

Not surprisingly, most never make it back to the manufacturer. For one thing, how many of us actually take the damn things back to receive a refund? me, I have an Annoyance Quotient about such things that suggests that the refund/rebate/whatever amount must exceed the amount of annoyance it takes to receive said refund/rebate/etc. More annoyance = a higher necessary refund/rebate/whatever amount. I presume most people have a similar Annoyance Quotient.

So say the toy makes it past the Annoyance Quotient and now it's at the store where it was purchased. Then what? Well, most stores are simply storing the recalled toys in warehouses because they've no clue what to do with them. It'd be nice if someone had a plan for this sort of thing, but no, it's not happening.

Then there are the toys still in circulation. Think you can find recalled toys still on shelves? You'd be correct. In one case, a certan recalled a Polly Pocket LimoScene toy was found for several weeks running on the shelf at a Wal-Mart (though the cash register blocked the actual sale of the toy).

Plus, there's no federal reluation or law preventing reselling of recalled toys. So although eBay, for instance, has agreed not to sell recalled toys, they are sure to still be found there.

Bottom line is still caveat emptor: It's still up to the consumer (that's you and me) to make sure our kids aren't licking lead-laden crap toys.

Photo: mwctoys.com

Things Fall Apart: Alert! Candles That Burn!

Karen Murphy — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:56:00 GMT

Ooh! Ooh! Candles that burn! (I thought we wanted those. What's bad about them?)

Uh, what's bad is when they ignite when you don't want them to. Like when the decorative painted coating or whatever self-ignites and your house burns down. That's what's bad.

But awww, so cute! Melting a snowman!

Well, no. So these Christmas candle sets by Specialty Merchandise Corporation (SMC) have been recalled, for the unfortunate aforementioned problem, plus the snowman candle's a little tipsy and tips over from time to time. A small matter, perhaps, except when the thing is lit. Oh well. These two-piece sets were sold by SMC's catalog (did you know there was a catalog? me neither! what other flammables have I been missing, I wonder?) from October 20043 through September 2007 for between $4 and $13. (Why the wide variance in price, I wonder? After all, we're talking a two-piece set of candles about 6-7 inches tall)

If you own these, you're advised not to burn them and to contact the manufacturer for a refund.

Wow, the Date Rape Drug is On Sale!

Kelly Mills — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:25:00 GMT

Good news for folks who have been trying to get their hands on Aqua Dots, the hottest toy of the season. Both Toys 'R' Us and Target marked down the toy beads for Black Friday sales, at least according to promo flyers. Woo hoo! Get those stocking stuffers/date rape drugs while they last, because at a low, low price of $19.99 at Toys 'R' Us, and only $13 at Target, these things will be real hard to find on shelves. Why, gamma hydroxy butyrate costs twice that on the street. Your kids will be so ecstatic they might just pass out. No, really.

"Now wait just a minute," you say. "Weren't Aqua Dots recalled on November 7 because since industrial chemical they are coated with metabolizes into gamma hydroxy butyrate when ingested, they can cause breathing problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death?" Well, yes. I suppose spokespeople may just tell you the flyers were designed before the recall, and that the beads have been pulled from shelves. But that shouldn't stop a savvy shopper. Just tell the store to put your beads on back order and ask for a price adjustment.

Things Fall Apart: Boppy Slipcovers Recalled

Karen Murphy — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:36:00 GMT

I refused to buy a Boppy. Couldn't get past the name somehow. "Boppy." Ugh.

But tons of people have bought Boppy, for breastfeeding or for baby-on-the-floor support. Versatile, relatively inexpensive, and widely available, Boppy has become part of many family's lives.

Too bad these Boppy slipcovers are choking hazards or full of lead.

Yes, I could mock Boppy here but I think Boppy's had a hard enough day. Because the velvet slipcovers and the "boa" slipcovers for Boppy Bare Naked [Ladies] have been recalled.

Choking Hazard Boppy ("Boppy Luxe") was sold in three color combinations with these UPC's:

Color Combination	UPC Code	Date Code
Blue/Green Velvet	769662 30802 1	05/2006 and 06/2006
Pink/ Orange Velvet	769662 30801 4	05/2006 and 06/2006
Pastel Blue Velvet	769662 30705 5	05/2006

And Lead-Covered Boppy ("Boppy Soothing") was sold in four colors with these UPC's:

Color	UPC Code	Date Code
Pastel Blue “Boa”	769662 32544 8	07030
Bright Pink Velvet	769662 32542 4	07030
Navy Blue Velvet	769662 32542 4	07030
Sage Green Velvet	769662 32709 1	07030

Slipcovers recalled due to choking hazard were sold at discount department stores nationwide from July 2006 through September 2007 for about $16. Slipcovers recalled due to lead paint were sold at discount department stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for between $15 and $17.

If you have any of these, contact The Boppy Company for a free replacement.

Safer Toys Holiday Shopping Guide

Alisyn — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:03:00 GMT

Recall Fever has made 2007 a scary one. And with the hoilday season heading barreling towards us like a runaway train, millions of parents, myself included, find themselves in the precarious positioin of trying to balance holiday gift giving - and receiving - with toy safety, something we've never really had to think about in previous years. Not an easy feat when you consider the fact that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled more than 70 brands of toys for a total of more than 25 million products. It's enough to make your head spin like an imported, lead-painted top.

What are we going to do? First thing's first: keep up to date with which toys are being recalled at the Consumer Product Safety Commission Page. Be firm with well-meaning friends and family about which safe toys, and toy alternatives, they can buy for your little ones. It may feel a little weird to pass out lists of pre-approved holiday gift ideas, but what else can we do? At this point it's all about our kids' safety, and using our consumer power for good instead of evil.

Cool Mom Picks Safer Toy Guide 200 7 is a great site to visit for safer toy suggestions. The Not Quite Crunchy Parent came up with some excellent toy alternatives. The People's Media Company has taken this years top toy trends and united them with cheaper (or free!) alternatives.

Shopping for kiddie gifts this year will require a little more diligence than we're used to, but it can be done. That being said, though, there's never been a stronger arguement for a back-to-basics, gift-free or homemade-gifts-only holiday season... it sure would get the message across that we, as parents, are mad as hell about the incredibly dangerous "toys" being marketed to our kids, and that we aren't going to take it anymore.

Things Fall Apart: Wal-Mart Kid's Storage Rack Causes Death

Karen Murphy — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:22:00 GMT

This is one of my fears come true, and the reason a lot of my furniture is screwed to the wall: an 8-month old boy died when this Home Trends storage rack tipped over and fell on him, and the racks have been recalled. The baby was asphyxiated when the top rail fell on his neck. Ugh. It was the only incident reported on this item, but it's clearly more than enough to warrant recall.

The racks are wooden with three levels and nine removable canvas totes in two color schemes: natural wood color with red, yellow, blue and green totes; and white painted wood with pink, yellow, lime and purple totes. They were sold between August 2004 through July 2005 at Wal-Mart under the name “Home Trend Kids 9 Canvas Bin Boy’s and Girl’s Organizers," and from July 2006 through June 2007 at Ollie's stores, for about $40.

If you own this, you're encouraged to stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer, Jetmax International, to obtain a repair kit that will stabilize the base.

Surviving Colds Without Cherry-Flavored Syrups

Madeline Holler — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:29:00 GMT

My 2-year-old woke up with a runny nose this morning and I instinctively went for the cold medicine. All gone. In a fit of responsible consumerism last month, I threw out the dregs of our cough and cold medicines, left over from intense use last winter.

We’re not in crisis mode, but I do wonder what we’ll do if, tonight for example, these sniffles keep my daughter (and me) from getting some sleep. I might try some of these old-fashioned sounding home remedies. The round-up of doctors recommend music and massage, tea and a bath, or Vitamin C and vabor rub. Can I get all of that in a bubble gum flavored syrup?

Do you have your own favorite remedies? Last year, one of my naturopathic mom friends said to tuck a sock dotted with eucalyptus oil under my congested kids’ pillows. I did. Didn’t work.

How are you dealing with the recall? And who has THE solution for clogged noses?

Photo: Redbook magazine

Weekly Check-Up: Cough Medicine Recalled Because of Overdose

Kelly Mills — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:02:00 GMT

Several makers of OTC cough and cold medicines are recalling certain products because of the risk of overdose, especially in kids age two and under. At the very least, the FDA thinks the products should come with labels saying they aren't recommended for young kids. Since 1969 there have been 54 deaths with decongestants and 69 with antihistamines reported to the FDA, and most in kids under two. Now that's not a stunningly large number, so why are these medicines being taken off the shelves?

Well, let's do a risk-benefit breakdown. While the risks of bad outcomes in cough medicine use are small, they do exist. Contrast that with the studies showing no benefit to using these meds. (And I assume we are not considering the "benefit" of dosing kids with the stuff so they'll sleep during airplane flights and so on, because you know, we've been warned not to do that.) In fact, a group of doctors and public health folks have filed a petition with the FDA because the drugs give cause for concern. Like this: ""There are no good studies that provide any information about appropriate dosing if they did work,' said Dr. Steven Czinn, chair of the department of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a signer of the petition. 'In the 21st century, it is unacceptable to be marketing medication to infants and children that may not work.'" Um, yeah! And we were all worried about the toys...

Here's some of the meds that have been recalled: Concentrated Infants' TYLENOL Drops Plus Cold; Concentrated Infants' TYLENOL Drops Plus Cold & Cough; PEDIACARE Infant Drops Decongestant (PSE); PEDIACARE Infant Drops Decongestant & Cough (PSE); PEDIACARE Infant Dropper Decongestant (PE); PEDIACARE Infant Dropper Long-Acting Cough; PEDIACARE Infant Dropper Decongestant & Cough (PE) products; Dimetapp Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops; Demetapp Decongestant Infant Drops; Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough; Little Colds Multi-Symptom Cold Formula; Robitussin Infant Cough DM Drops; Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant and Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant Plus Cough.

Toy Recalls Not Successful

Madeline Holler — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:47:00 GMT

Every time I read about yet another product recall, I picture this: customer service lines at Target stretching out the automatic doors, angry hordes of parents holding recalled items aloft while they chant slogans and demand better quality and attention to toy safety.

“The children,” they scream with passion. “What about the children!”

In reality, retailers poised to deal with the onslaught are watching tumble weeds roll by. Most parents are just throwing the lead-covered/choking hazard/impaling risk/finger-severing crap away and moving on.

For example, when Target issued a recall in May of 5,000 000 Anima Bamboo Collection Games because of lead, no units were returned. During a recall of 190,000 Kool Toyz last year due to lead and sharp points, less than 1 percent were returned.

This lack of returns presents a problem for manufacturers in that they can’t actually figure out how effective their recalls are. Did people not get word (how could they not this year?), or did they just not bother sending it back?

Frankly, I think there’s a lack of information about what to do. Do I have to bring back an intact Polly Pocket set (an oxymoron since at least six of the microscopic boots go missing the minute the blister pack is opened) or will Polly herself do? Do I need a receipt? Do I have to remember where it came from? What if it was a gift?

On the bigger items, where there’s a repair kit or a full recall, do you just show up and describe the piece or do you have to break down the crib/play yard/swing set/bunk bed and show proof of ownership?

And for those recalls that require shipment? Forget it. No amount of refund is worth the search for a box, packing and sealing, and standing in line at the post office while your kid’s screaming for you to let her play with it one more time. No amount.

Finally, all those damn serial numbers. Which infant car seat? We’re off by one number … does that matter? And it’s not just any Polly Pocket that was recalled, right? It was a very specific one. How the hell should I know which one? Plus, it’s Polly Pocket? Really, I’m just interested in never seeing her again, so, the trash solution works best for us. Sorry, Mattel.

What about you? During this Summer of Recalls, did you take anything back? Was it easy? Was it worth it?

Photo: New York Times

Things Fall Apart: Starbucks Kid's Cups

Karen Murphy — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:28:00 GMT

It's not every day your kid can choke on a cup. Aren't cups by definition bigger than the mouths of kids? Therefore not being something easy to choke on.

Unfortunately, no. Not when you're a cute but oh-so-breakable cup from Starbucks.

But, um, hello Starbucks? Maybe you don't have kids because you're a 19-year old community-college dropout barista who delights in sneering at me when I disdain the Pumpkin Spice Latte and instead opt for the Caramel Macchiato (skim) and probably spit in it when I'm fumbling to scrape loose change out of my pocket to pay the 6-fricking-bucks for such a delight, but last time I checked, kids drop things. And throw things. So here's a little piece of advice from me to you: make stuff for kids unbreakable, wouldja? Or less breakable anyway? Because the face on that cute little ladybug shatters in a zillion pieces that are oh-so-tempting for my toddler to pick up, choke on, or get lacerations from.

Yeah, and thanks, Starbucks, for the offer of a free beverage (probably plain coffee only, whatever) when I trundle my kid into the car, park, get out, and schlepp into your store to return my recalled cup for a full refund. Whatever. Love, me.

If you caved and bought your kid one of these cups (admittedly rather cute despite their lethalness) from May 2006 through August 2007 for an astounding $6, you're among ~~dozens~~ the 250,000 or so people who did so, so don't feel bad. Just try and get out of there without another such impulse purchase when you make that trip back to Starbucks to return the cup. They don't make it easy.

Things Fall Apart: The Finger-Severing PBK Doll Stroller

Karen Murphy — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:03:00 GMT

Is your kid missing a finger? It could be that cute pink Pottery Barn Kids Mini Zooper doll stroller. Which seems to have a penchant for severing fingers. Pink was a good choice, actually. The blood stains show less that way. One two-year-old boy is missing part of his finger now because of it. You think his parents are going to let him play with dolls anymore? Nuh uh.

Seriously, I don't know why I'm constantly surprised about the lack of safety testing or sometimes even common design sense that exists in the manufacturing process. In this case, your kid's finger tip could be stuck and then severed in the rectangular metal clip or the black plastic side hinge of the stroller's frame. Like a kid wouldn't touch those things.

About 21,000 of these were sold at PBK stores nationwide and through catalog and web sales from October 2005 through June 2007 for about $50 (does that seem pricey to you??). The strollers have a silver metal frame with a bright pink cotton canvas seat cover with the words "Pottery Barn Kids" printed on a label on the cover.

If you have one of these, contact the retailer or call (888) 367-0144 for a repair kit

Mattel Says, "Um, Sorry China"

Kelly Mills — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:23:00 GMT

Dear China,

I feel like we have let this go on for too long. I understand why you are upset: after all, I did recall maybe a few more things than I should have. You know how it is! You start recalling, and then you get scared, and you see the opportunity to recall more, and you don't really want the government to come down on you hard, so you just get a little recall-crazy. I let my emotions get the best of me. And, well, I can also see why you might be a little miffed, since folks assumed that everything I recalled was because of lead paint, when in some cases it was my design flaw that caused the problem. You feel like you took the fall for my problem to a certain extent. I get it. You are mad. I don't blame you.

But baby, what is done is done, and I can't take it back. I told the American people it was partially my fault. I accepted responsibility. And no, I didn't just wait until the fervor around recalls died down to do it: I meant to do it before, but I've been so darn busy. But look, I don't think this should be the end of us. I mean, we have something magic here! Cheap toys for us, lots of employment for your folks...I believe we can work this out. Look, just to show you how much you mean to me, I'm giving you $30 million for the Barbie store in Shanghai. And these roses. Please take them as a token of my undying affection, as a symbol of our undying love.

I know you'll forgive me. I believe it in my heart. Plus, this relationship works so well for both of us. We'll just grow closer and our love will grow stronger for being tested like this.

Yours Eternally,

Mattel

Bagged Greens Recalls Make Me Sick

Madeline Holler — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:03:00 GMT

Somehow, I’m not all that distressed about lead in toys. I mean, the probable danger is a nice excuse for chipping away at the mountain of junk in various corners of the house. I get to be ruthless with a clear conscience.

The health scare recalls that have me totally put out are the ones involving bagged spinach and lettuce. How to live without pre-washed leafy greens!

After that big recall of bagged baby spinach last year, we swore off the stuff. For a few months. But the bags are so easy, and baby spinach just sort of melts into everything, and even though my kids manage to pick it out, I have to believe some of it actually gets ingested. So I put my head in the sand and put bags of it in the cart.

Now the recall of bagged lettuce, which we also eat, is forcing me again to weigh the risks and benefits of eating it anyway. And this coming off of the mini-recall of the plant-breeding snacking wonder that is baby carrots last month.

I try to get as much as I can (afford) at the local weekly farmer’s market. But I’m forced to wonder about the safety of that too. I should probably figure out a way to clean the stuff, but damn if that isn’t a ton of work since it inevitably involves cleaning the sink before and after too.

NPR has a nice little story about veggie washes and what Cooks Illustrated determined to be the best way to wash the most bacteria off of fresh produce: a spray of three parts cold water one part vinegar. The problem is, it works best on smooth-skinned produce like apples, but isn’t terribly practical for spinach.

Is it time to return to the diet of my youth – overcooked meat, canned corn and pudding parfaits?