Strollerderby : recalls

Things Fall Apart: Backyard Play Equipment Recalled

Shannon LC Cate — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:33:00 GMT

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has recalled 4,300 backyard play sets and 60,000 trampolines. The play sets were sold at Toys R Us and the trampolines were sold in various specialty stores as well as online.

The play set, the Step2 Play Up Gym, has faulty hangers attaching the swings to the bar. The hangers have broken, causing falls, though no injuries have been reported. You can learn more about the recall and/or order replacement hangers and a repair kit by calling (800) 347-8372.

The 13-square foot trampoline is made by Skywalker Holdings of Utah. It's safety nets can break, allowing a child to fall through and off of the trampoline. Consumers can call the company at (866) 603-5867 for a free repair kit.

Until the equipment is repaired, the Consumer Products Safety Commission is advising consumers to stop using it immediately.

Things Fall Apart: babyGap Children’s Coats Recalled

SunnyChanel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Gap Inc. has just issued a voluntary recall due to a potential toggle terror. About 22,000 toggle babyGap Coats have been deemed unsafe. The jackets, which were available from infant to size 24 months, close with toggle fasteners which may break off and can then be a choking hazard to babies and toddlers. This was a voluntary recall and there have been no reports of incidents or injuries. If you happen to have one of these coats you can return it to any Gap store for a full refund (before August 31) as well a 20% off coupon.

You can get more information here.

Things Fall Apart: 96,000 Cribs Recalled

SunnyChanel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:00:00 GMT

One crib manufacturer is having a very bad year. A recall of 96,000 of their wooden cribs has just been issued. This is their third, yes third, recall in the past 12 months. Last June 320,000 cribs were recalled and in January 56,450 of the units were deemed unsafe. Me thinks this company is in the wrong business.

Seven of the wooden cribs by Jardine Enterprises (Taipei, Taiwan) were recalled due to the possibility that slats can break and create a dangerous gap which could trap and potentially strangle a small child. The Consumer Product Safety Commission had received 31 reports of slat breakage with two reports of kids getting trapped. These models were sold from 2005 to April 2009 at Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us, KidsWorld and Geoffrey stores.

For more info and a list of the models check out the CSPC’s website here.

Things Fall Apart: Maytag Refrigerator Recall

Shannon LC Cate — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Maytag repairman isn't going to be lonely for much longer. Maytag has recalled a large number of refrigerator/freezers due to an electrical relay problem which can overheat and cause a serious fire hazard. This is the largest recall of refrigerators ever, and affects a number of models sold during the "boom years" of kitchen remodeling. From the Consumer Reports recall article:

The recall—by far the largest refrigerator safety recall—involves certain side-by-side and top-freezer models made by Maytag under its own brand as well as Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley. Bottom-freezer units are not affected by the recall. The units were made in white, black, bisque, and stainless steel and sold at appliance and homebuilder stores nationwide from January 2001 to January 2004 for between $350 and $1,600.

Maytag and the CPSC are urging consumers to contact Maytag as soon as possible to schedule a free in-home repair. The CPSC is not asking owners to unplug the units since repairs are expected to be made promptly. Maytag can be reached by calling 866-533-9817 or by visiting the company's Web site repair.maytag.com . The CPSC has determined that Maytag's planned repair works and the company plans to publicize the recall to reach as many affected consumers as possible.

Check your 'fridge' and call soon, folks. It looks like the lines might get ong for this repair and it isn't like you afford to either go without a refrigerator or let a fire hazard sit around in your kitchen, right?

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

Peanut Butter Sales Plummet--Even the Safe Brands

Shannon LC Cate — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Folks keep asking us here at Strollerderby whether they should avoid even the big brands of peanut butter in the face of a historic outbreak of salmonella stemming from one plant in Georgia.

Here's the official list of brands NOT affected by the recall. Looks like Jif, Skippy, Peter Pan are all fine.

I am paranoid and don't use peanut butter anyway, so personally, my family isn't buying it or any products with peanuts or peanut butter in them. It seems like a safer bet to avoid it all, rather than taking the trouble to browse the FDA website for every product possible.

On the other hand, should other peanut butter manufacturers suffer because of the galling oversight of one plant? Perhaps not. But they are. Peanut butter sales across the board--not just of affected brands--are down close to 25% in the last month, since the recall was announced. Big companies are putting out ads and coupons to reassure customers that their products are safe.

In our current economy, it's a shame that one company's unethical behavior has hurt a whole industry, but is it any surprise that parents will exercise caution--even over-caution--when stories of death by peanut-butter are circulating everywhere?

The takeaway lesson for me in all of this is that the food industry needs better regulation. Last year's beef recall (remember the near-miss with mad cow disease, anyone?) was blamed in part on a shortage of USDA inspectors to check up on the meat industry. Similar problems plague food production throughout the system. When there aren't enough inspectors to keep everyone honest, it seems that everyone is put at risk of paying for one plant's dishonesty.

Maybe some of the stimulus money in the legislation currently before Congress should create a few new jobs for food safety watchdogs.

Gwen Stefani’s Kid Hoodies Recalled

SunnyChanel — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Don’t let your kid be a fashion victim. And not just aesthetically. We mean ‘victim’ in the risk of life and limb sense. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that two of the hoodies by pop star Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers kid’s line as unsafe for those trendy tots who wear them.

Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers Hooded Jackets features cute little girls riding motor scooters and the Lovers Leopard style that has a leopard design in grey and black. Why are these hoodies a hazard? They have drawstring around the hood which can be a strangulation issue.

Fortunately, no injuries or incidents have been reported. These $75 hoodies were sold at Nordstrom’s and Macy’s along with other retailers. If you happen to have one, you are advised to either remove the drawstring in question or return it to where it was purchased.

Via: Perez Hilton

Peanut Recall Expands (ya-a-awn!) Again; Plant not at Fault, Regulation Is

Shannon LC Cate — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:30:00 GMT

The peanut problems aren't over, folks. In fact, it seems like there's no end in sight. The FDA's website has a widget where you can look up products that you might have that have been subject to recall either by FDA orders or voluntarily. There are several new companies and products now on the list. Be sure to check back and make sure your cupboards are bare...of peanuts at least.

Meanwhile, a bit of research has turned up that in fact, though the plant that produced the contaminated food knew it had a salmonella problem, it wasn't required to report this to anyone. In fact, though the Peanut Corporation of America had at least 12 positive tests for salmonella between 2007 and 2008, they kept it a secret. The regulations, rather, give federal regulators the right to examine the records from a plant after an outbreak. I'm sure the 500 ill and the families of the 8 dead really appreciate this after-the-fact regulation.

For the whole, sordid tale, see:

Peanut Corporation of America Knowingly Sold Tainted Food

Trace Mercury Found in High Fructose Corn Syrup

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do to Our Kids?

Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Peanut Allergies, Peanut Schmallergies?

Peanut Allergy Scare Overblown?

Peanut Corporation of America Knowingly Sold Tainted Food

Shannon LC Cate — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The salmonella outbreak traced to a peanut plant in Georgia that has killed 8 people and sickened hundreds was no accident. Investigators from the Centers for Diseaese Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered this week that the Peanut Corporation of America had known about its salmonella problem for at least two years, but looked the other way. In a dozen cases throughout 2007 and 2008, samples of their product were tested and found contaminated, but rather than pull the batch of product, the company went to a different lab for a second round of testing. When the second test came back clean, the company shipped the product anyway.

There are plenty of regulations about food safety, but these internal tests done by companies are not subject to any kind of oversight. It's up to the company to do anything about the problems they might find. Clearly this company opted to gamble that no one would trace any food-bourne illnesses to them. And it worked for at least two years. Since many cases of food poisoning are mild enough to go untreated and unreported so this is a gamble that probably works for some companies much of the time.

In addition to the one strain of salmonella that led to the recent illnesses and deaths, three additional strains were found by CDC investigators at the plant this week.

There is no word yet on whether or not the company will face criminal charges. Whether or not? Eight dead, hundreds sick, half of them children? I for one will be pushing for serious consequences for the people responsible for knowingly selling contaminated--even deadly--food.

Trace Mercury Found in High Fructose Corn Syrup

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do to Our Kids?

Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Peanut Allergies, Peanut Schmallergies?

Peanut Allergy Scare Overblown?

Recall after Five People Die; Tainted Peanut Butter Blamed

Shannon LC Cate — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:30:00 GMT

A company manufacturing peanut butter sold in bulk to institutions and food manufacturers has recalled its product after the deaths of at least two, perhaps up to five people (in three cases, the cause of death is still being determined). 400 people have fallen ill in 43 states due to salmonella traced to the peanut butter.

What makes this outbreak particularly upsetting is the institutional aspect. This peanut butter goes to schools, nursing homes and food manufacturing companies that use peanut butter as an ingredient in other foods. Customers of "Parnell's Pride" and "King Nut" brand peanut butter are being informed by phone of the recall.

Kelloggs is also recalling its Austin and Keebler brand peanut butter crackers as a result. No outbreaks have been traced to these snack crackers, but to stay on the safe side, it's probably a good idea to return any you might have in you cupboard.

Image: Boston.com

My Uterus Has Recalled!

SunnyChanel — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:30:00 GMT

My uterus has been recalled! Well that is if I actually owned one of the plush uteruses by I Heart Guts, my own uterus is, thankfully, safe and sound. The toy company recently had some 'female trouble' with one of their popular products, their pink stuffed uterus. They recently issued a voluntary recall due to the plush toy failing child toy safety standard tests. They said that “basically, if you pull too hard on the fallopian tubes, the ovary pops off, creating a potential choking hazard for small children.” And really, the last thing you want to have happen in your household if having one of your young children choking on a random loose ovary. The good news is that all the other I Heart Guts products have met the U.S. and the European safety standards, so although your child can’t play with your uterus, they can play with your liver, kidney or pancreas.

Furniture Industry Won't Suffer as Long As We Keep Making Babies

JeanneSager — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:02:00 GMT

Madison Avenue had it right all along. Sex sells. Well - sex that creates babies anyway. One of the brightest spot in today's floundering economy is apparently centered on the children's furniture industry.

That's the news out of the furniture trade show in North Carolina this week, where salesmen are celebrating an expected 23 percent growth in the industry through 2012. Why now, in the midst of a recession? Americans aren't just having more kids - they're giving their kids their own bedrooms. And individual bedrooms means not just additional beds but dressers, desks and other furnishings.

Parents aren't scrimping. They're buying $700 beds and $500 desks. "It's not the cheap stuff like the race-car beds. It's substantial stuff," Tom Liddell, a vice president of sales for California furniture company Powell told the Canadian Press. Not surprising? We're not outfitting the rest of the house quite as lavishly as we are our kids' rooms. At Powell, the kids division saw a 45 percent increase in the past year. The rest of the company's sales are "not that shining," Liddell says.

With a focus on ensuring our kids' bedrooms are safe, it's getting harder to scrimp on their furniture. Where our parents' generation passed cribs from family member to family member, we're worried about toxins in the paint and recalls on the hinges. We're putting more emphasis on greening the home, and we're uneasy about little hands getting caught in handmade toy chests. My daughter actually has my old dresser, with the drawer broken by my brother when we were kids, but the rest of her bedroom furniture was purchased fresh during my pregnancy. Buying a convertible crib was our nod to saving money, but we were wary of cutting any more corners.

Apparently, we weren't the only ones.

Image: Amazon

Do You Play With Your Kids' Toys?

Do You Keep Every One of Your Kid's Masterpieces?

Despite Recession, Kids Stuff is the Last to Go

Not Such a Great Time to be a Mortgage Banker

When the Times Call for Frugality, What Goes? What Stays?

More Stuff Parents Dream About: Being Alone in the Bathroom

Things Fall Apart: Simplicity Bassinets Recall Still Expanding, Awkwardly

Miriam Axel-Lute — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:30:00 GMT

Amazing how complicated it can be to identify an unsafe bassinet and get kids out of them. It was late August when the Consumer Products Safety Commission first issued a safety alert warning caregivers not to use Simplicity 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 "close sleeper" bassinets, because when the fabric is detached to place it in "cosleeper" mode and not reattached properly, there is a gap under a metal bar that babies can slip under and strangle.

This was a clear danger, directly responsible for two infant deaths (one of which ocurred nearly a year before the safety alert, which has also raised some eyebrows). So you get them off the market pronto, right?

Enter the complications: First, Simplicity went out of business, and SFCA, the company that bought it, get this, bought only its assets, but not its liabilities. Sweet deal, huh? Sound like a certain Wall Street bailout to you? Anyhow, SFCA assumes no responsibility, and won't issue a recall, so the CPSC has been having to do it piecemeal with retailers.

Meanwhile, it took until late September for someone to figure out that the exact same products were being sold under the Graco and Disney brands as well, and those ought to be included in the recalls.

And then they realized that it was only older models that had the problem, and newer ones have the fabric permanently attached and are fine. Oy vey. Consumer Reports has a video that shows the difference if you're not sure. And the news is still spreading, with one news report just yesterday.

In amongst all this, the ongoing bias against cosleeping (I'll have more on that in detail in a few days) rears its head again: This dangerous product got to market because no one has bothered to set specific safety standards for cosleeping products. And even Consumer Reports disappointingly turns around and in its video uses that as an excuse to recommend the use of regular cribs over cosleepers at all times, even though other cosleepers, and even the later models of this one, don't have this dangerous flaw. The problem here was, in the CPSC's words "metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard," not being a cosleeper.

Two lessons for safe sleeping: Follow instructions carefully, and if something looks dangerous, don't wait for a manufacturer or the CPSC to tell you it really is.

More by this author:

10 Names to Give Your Under 5 Daughter for Her . . . You Know

Breaking News: Cadbury chocolate made in China recalled

Brett Singer — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:15:00 GMT

The AP is reporting that Cadbury is "recalling 11 types of Chinese-made chocolates after tests found they contained the industrial chemical melamine." This follows the recall of tainted milk powder in China.

AND, according to Newsinferno.com, a specific candy made by Cadbury called "White Rabbit" has been found to contain Melamine, the substance that cause more than 50,000 children to fall ill in China. The candy has been "distributed to California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington state through wholesale distributors to retail stores."

Before you say what I said ("Newsinferno? What's that?"), here's a link to the FDA's press release about the recall.

Newsinferno also reports that, "Pizza Hut suspended supplying cheese powder found to be contaminated by melamine in Pizza Hut’s Taiwan branch." Unless you happen to be in Taiwan, this one is pretty easy to avoid, but the White Rabbit stuff sounds like it could be in your local candy shoppe. Plus there are 11 other varieties, such as Eclairs (sold in Australia). So be careful.

But wait! There's more! According to Wikipedia, this White Rabbit stuff was recalled last year in the Philippines because it contained formaldehyde. Yum!

Anyone else in the mood for some good news? Like, "Field of unicorns found frolicking in Central Park, film at 11"? Sorry, I made that one up. Sounds good though, right?

Sources: CBS News/AP, Newsinferno.com, Sydney Morning Herald, Wikipedia (also image)

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UPDATE: Tainted Milk Tally tops 50,000

Brett Singer — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

An update to the tainted milk story from VOANews.com:

China is vowing to stop tainted milk from reaching export markets, amid a growing scandal...Four Chinese infants have already died from drinking toxic milk products and more than 53,000 others have been made sick...The widening scandal has already claimed resignations from several officials, including Li Changjiang, the head of China's top quality inspection agency.

Apparently this was a known problem for eight months before anyone did anything about it.

53,000 kids sick? Nasty.

Original post follows.

*-*-*-*-*

The number of children affected by a dangerous chemical in certain brands of Chinese-made baby formula is going up. CNN is reporting that more than 13,000 children in China have been, "sickened by tainted milk."

The details are even worse: four babies have died, and a 3-year-old girl in Hong Kong was hospitalized after drinking the tainted formula. The little girl was released, but this means that the illnesses are no longer isolated to Mainland China.

AND: "In addition, nearly 40,000 other infants and young children have received outpatient medical treatment and consultation as a result of the tainted milk," according to Xinhua, China's state-run news agency.

The issue, according to published reports, is that the formula contains a chemical called melamine, which is a "key ingredient in most fire retardant materials." In other words, not something anyone should be eating.

Full details are on CNN.com.

A reader emailed to ask if we knew whether or not any U.S. formula brands were affected. We do not. That's not to say that there is any reason to think that there IS a problem with any U.S. baby formulas; as far as I know (the key words there are "as far as I know") there have been no recalls or reports of infants becoming sick from baby formula in the United States. Still, I would be very careful with any formula that you buy, especially if you have any reason to believe it was manufactured in China. To clarify: we are NOT saying that you should avoid any brand of baby formula, we are only telling you what CNN has reported. There has been some concern that boxes of Sanlu-brand formula may be on store shelves in Chinese grocery stores in the United States; more details are here.

Source: CNN
Image: china.org.cn

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Babies R Us tells breastfeeding mother to get out

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Important news stories depicted by five year olds

Austrian incest mom speaks out

They say: Chinese baby formula is dangerous

Brett Singer — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:30:00 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a waning about baby formula made in China. These products are illegal in the U.S., but the FDA fears that some bottles may have found their way onto store shelves in Chinese neighborhoods.

Before I start a worldwide panic, let me point out that the FDA also said, "There is no threat of contamination in the domestic supply of infant formula." So you can give your little one good ol' U.S. baby formula (provided there are no La Leche people nearby – ba dum bum.)

According to Chinese officials, "contaminants were found in Sanlu-brand milk formula," which, "killed one baby and caused kidney stones in dozens of others who may have drunk the same product." A recall of the product was issued in China on August 6.

The FDA...said agency officials were concerned the Chinese formula may be tainted with melamine, the contaminant found in pet food ingredients from China and linked to the deaths and illnesses of hundreds of cats and dogs in 2007.

Bad stuff. If this formula is on sale in the U.S., or anyplace else, I hope it gets pulled from the shelves.

Source: Reuters
Image: china.org.cn

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Beware of Dangerous Slings

Amy Kuras — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:19:00 GMT

Once used mostly by hippies and crunchies, slings have become an extra trendy way of carrying babies and toddlers.

But as convenient, cool and snuggly as slings are, they may not be the safest choice to carry a baby. According to the Consumer Reports safety blog, standards setting organization ASTM International is starting the process to create standards for sling carriers, at the request of manufacturers.

Improper use or ring failure can result in bruises, fractures or other injuries when a baby falls out of the sling, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission has found a risk of "positional asphyxia" when a baby's head is too far forward in the sling and their airway is cut off. CPSC has recalled slings in the past, including, last year, the Infantino pictured.

According to the blog, "Most of the sling carriers demonstrated at the ASTM meeting seemed complicated to put on and prone to user error. Clear instructions and perhaps video demonstrations might help prevent mistakes."

Hah, I say. The brand of sling I use has video demonstrations right on its website. Do you know what they use to demonstrate? A doll. Which is smaller, lighter, and a hell of a lot less wiggly and floppy than any infant I've ever met.

What worked for me is always putting the baby in the sling over a soft surface like the couch or bed, so if I do slip up their fall will be cushioned. Also, I tend not to use the sling a lot until they are a little older and have more head control. And getting a friend who both uses the same kind of sling you do and has a lick of sense about positioning the baby in it is really helpful, since "complicated to put on" is a bit of an understatement for even the simple pouch sling I use.

Things Fall Apart: It Never Stops, Does It?

Karen Murphy — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:32:00 GMT

I know. Why don't we just all get together and pile up every dollar store in one huge ginormous heap and set fire to the whole thing, contents and all? Wouldn't that be easier than meting out these little cheap-lead-toy recalls every week or so? Are you with me? Who's ready?

So, until I can send out the invitations for this thing, I'll just tell you about the latest spate of recalls. Nothing too exciting: just some wooden trains, cheap-ass toy cars, and crap with magnets in it. In other words, the usual, but just in case some of this has accidentally made its way into your home, maybe you should have a look:

Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems I'm always suspicious of companies that can't effing spell their products names right. "Bild"? Please. Oh, and chokable, aspirate-able, blah blah blah all the reasons why teeny tiny magnets are bad for little kids who eat them (two or more magnets stick together inside and cause intestinal holes!). Sold in 2005-2007 for $30-40. The recall involves the 293-piece (item number BB1502H) and the 180-piece (item number BB1431H) All of the plastic building pieces, except the 4-inch flexible rods, have the word “Magnabild” in raised lettering on them. The item number is found on a hang tag attached to the set (you still left that attached, right? just in case of eventual recall a couple of years later?).

Contact the manufacturer to receive a prepaid mailer to return the set for refund.

Cheap $1 Toy Racing Cars C'mon, a DOLLAR? For a remote-control car? Sure, it's a cheap-ass remote-thingie, but still. That should be a clue as to its level of quality, you think? So, blah blah blah LEAD blah blah blah COST A DOLLAR blah blah blah REFUND. Oh, and I love the manufacturer's name: "OKK Trading". Riiiight.

Wooden Block Sets and Trains Sold By Christmas Tree Shops Um..."Christmas Tree Shops"? Anyone familiar? They're supposedly in the mid-atlantic and northeast regions, which is where I live, and I've never heard of them. Oh well! The sets sold for between $4 and $20 blah blah blah LEAD from October 2006 through November 2007, blah blah blah return to phantom Christmas Tree Shops for refund (are these the seasonal places that spring up magically in dead and dying strip malls?).

Photo: cpsc.gov

Canadian My Organic Baby Cereal Recalled: Rancid

Karen Murphy — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 23:32:00 GMT

Ugh, there's nothing worse than rancid anything, even if it's organic. (Actually, I can think of lots of things worse, but that's beside the point and not nearly as dramatic-sounding, is it?)

And four varieties of My Organic Baby have been recalled due to possible rancidity. ("Rancid", by the way, is defined by Mr. Macbook here as "smelling or tasting unpleasant as a result of being old or stale". Yum!) Here's the deal:

The recall is for 227 gram boxes of Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal and Multigrain cereal with 'Best By' dates of April 2008 and June 2008. Consumers are warned not to eat the cereal if it has an "off" odor or taste. Uh, that should be the case for anything you consume, but I know you know that. Ditto if it's for your baby. Consumers are also being warned that eating rancid food can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Which is sooo attractive in a baby, isn't it? That's about all I have. There's slightly more information here on the My Organic Baby website if you're interested. Oh, and if My Organic Baby baby food doesn't ring any bells it's because it's sold mostly in Canada. Oh, and also on the original article there's a lovely judgy comment about how you should be making your own organic baby food anyway, but let's just not go there, shall we? Jeez, it's just baby food, not a lifestyle choice. If it's rancid don't eat it. End.

Photo: www.onfc.ca

Things Fall Apart: The Nemo How Could You Edition

Karen Murphy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:38:00 GMT

Oh Nemo. Even if you aren't identified specifically as Nemo, we still know you by your perky orange and white stripes, your vacant-yet-hopeful expression, your slightly crossed eyes. We'd know you anywhere! Too bad you're covered with lead, oh well.

But hey! All is not lost! After all, there are more recalls to mock this weeks besides a few paltry faux-Nemo coin banks. That's right! We have torchiere lamps from Lowe's, scary-creepy wrestler action figures, kid's trailer bikes (as opposed to bike trailers), pacifiers, and Tinkerbell lamps. All the bases are covered, so have a look...

Tinker Bell lamps from Lowe's So pretty! And Tinkerbell ~~dances a slutty dance~~ sways to the music when a button is depressed (I'd be depressed too, ba dum BUM). But covered with lead. These were sold for about $40 from January 2007 through October 2007.

Self-Igniting Torchiere Lamps from Lowe's No, they weren't advertised as self-igniting, but what a bonus! Light without electricity! The lamps were black, and sold for about $17 (a GREAT deal on a self-igniting lamp, don't you think?) from March 2005 through October 2007. Item number 179878 was listed on the packaging (like you still have that) and the recalled lamps have a UL listing number of E246506. If your cheap black torchiere lamp is marked "ETL listed", it's NOT included in the recall.

Scary-Creepy Dollar Store Wrestler Figures Um, doesn't that say enough? Lead-covered. Cost a dollar.

Baby Town Dollar Store Pacifiers Oooh, what if there really was a Baby Town??! Would that not be awesome? Uh, but these pacifiers, though colorful, fail to meet federal safety standards in pacifiers. To wit: "The pacifier shield is too small and could easily enter the mouth of an infant. Also, ventilation holes are too small and not placed to allow for the insertion of a tool to remove the pacifier when lodged in the mouth of a child. Finally, the package fails to display the required warning instructing consumers not to tie a pacifier around a child’s neck, which would present a strangulation hazard." Sold in 4-packs from March 2004 through Dece,ber 2007.

Kid's Trailer Bikes You know the semi-half bike-things that attach behind the adult's bike (causing the adult's bike to feel unwieldy and tippy unless the kid has decent balance)? Well, these have been recalled due to a faulty and dangerous coupler-thing, which caused a fall and abrasions (that's scrapes to you and me) to at least one rider. Ow. The recalled brands/models are: InStep “Pathfinder,” Schwinn “Run About,” and Mongoose “Alley Cat” Trailer Bicycles, sold from January through Agust 2007 from about $80 to $120. See link for model numbers and recall information (repair kit).

The Not-Quite-Nemo Promotional Coin Banks Lead-covered. Free. Given away by Coastal Federal Credit Union customers February 2006 through September 2007.

Photo: cpsc.gov

Things Fall Apart: Don't Lick the Little Red Wagon

Karen Murphy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:35:00 GMT

I don't know what my parents were thinking when they got me a little red wagon. I mean, I did haul my one doll (whose hair had long been chopped off by someone who thought it would grow back, oops) around in it a few times, but mostly it was relegated to hauling kindling from around the side of the house to the garage to await the next weekend's status-fire during football season. If it was supposed to be fun being pulled around in the thing, nobody ever told me. Yeah, yeah, boo hoo for me. By the time I figured out it was supposed to be fun I was too big for the damn thing. Which is why my kids had a wagon and loved the hell out of it. Yours too? But don't make it this one, because it's been recalled:

About 15000 red metal wagons sold at Tractor Supply Stores from September 2002 through November 2007 have been recalled due to high lead content in the shiny red paint. Oops. They were made in China and manufactured by Tricam Industries. The recalled wagons are model number MH1250 and have a red bucket and black handle, axle supports, and tires. The wagons sold for about $30, which if you have priced Radio Flyers, is a pretty good deal. (I bought a $15 wooden wagon from Ikea that my kids named James. It admittedly fell apart after 3 years outside in the elements, but it was totally worth it)

Anyway, if you own this wagon, you're encouraged to stop using it and contact the manufacturer on how to return the thng for a refund. Have fun with that.

Photo: cpsc.gov

Things Fall Apart: Gap Outlet Boy's Jackets

Karen Murphy — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:17:00 GMT

Uh oh. I think I own one of these recalled jackets. I mean, my son does. I got it on eBay, which is fast becoming a clearance outlet for recalled crap. Hey, great! So glad I outbid you to win the Strangling Jacket From Hell. Actually, up to this moment, my biggest beef wth the jacket, which is warm and soft and has a cozy fleece inner liner, is that the cuffs were made for a gnat's wings instead of an actual child's hands. We struggle getting his not-so-big hands through those sleeves every day. The plus? Snow (if it ever actually ends up snowing here) won't get up his sleeves. But hey, it's recalled anyway.

It's the drawstring thing. Apparently manufacturers of cheap outsourced clothing still fail to catch on that these have been outlawed for awhile now. Whatever. What did I expect for, what, $15?

Oh, oops. If you bought yours from an actual Gap Outlet, and some 16,200 of you did from September through December 2007 (remember 2007?), then you paid more like $50. So forget you heard I got a better deal.

The jackets, cleverly called "'Warmest Jacket' Boy's Jackets", came in gray or navy in a variety of sizes and are hooded, zip in front, and have the telltale drawstring at the waist. In addition, Style number 513573 is printed on a white label sewn behind the size and product care label near the neckline.

If you return yours to the Gap Outlet before April 30 (my birthday! mark your calendars now!) you'll get, in addition to a refund of your full purchase prices, a $5 "appreciation card" (which you can then give me as the gift you always wanted to give but never quite knew what to get). Oh, and we're supposed to stop wearing the jacket immediately, though I'm thinking of cutting the drawstring and calling it a day.

Photo: cpsc.gov

Things Fall Apart: eeBoo Blocks Choke Kids!

Karen Murphy — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:02:00 GMT

I've always liked eeBoo products. After all, how can you go wrong with a name like eeBoo? We have several things by this company, like the travel bingo. So seeing a recall by a formerly trusted company is a littel distressing, you know? Like being let down personally by Thomas the Tank Engine. When that went down I felt so...used. And this latest by eeBoo is no exception. I'm a little amused by their "Important Safety Notice", however, the one that says that they are essentially blaming someone else for safety problems in the production chain, saying that a "bait and switch" took place and they're just as surprised as we are that their toys are falling apart.

The problem is with the Tot Tower blocks, cardboard stacking blocks printed with colorful and educational images. The cardboard is covered with a thin plastic film, and it is this film that is coming off and could possibly be eaten by a child and cause choking.

I have news for eeBoo. I have similar blocks from about ten years ago, and yes, the film did come off. But there was no recall then, not that I was ever made aware of. And I just ripped the covering off and said "oh well".

Oh well, the bocks came in various themes, including Things I Know New; Garden Fairies; Hardware Store; Around the Land; Read-To-Me; Animal Sounds; Animal Alphabet; ABC; and Nursery Friends. In addition, the words “Tot Towers” and “eeBoo Corporation” are printed on the product's packaging. The blocks came in a set of 10 ranging in size from 6 x 6 inches to 1.5 x 1.5 inches, and were sold at specialty and gift shops nationwide from January 2003 through September 2007 for about $20. You should be able to get aalllll your money back wherever you purchased the blocks, or you can contact eeBoo for a replacement toy (presumably not blocks).

Things Fall Apart: The Latest in a Long, Long List

Karen Murphy — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:35:00 GMT

Yes, folks, it's time for another round of Recall Roulette! What's your pleasure today, shall it be infant teething toys? How about bead-and-wire toys for babies? Pull-back-and-go toy cars? Or maybe the ever-popular cheap lead-laden children's jewelry? Step right up and name your pleasure, though you're sure to lose with any of today's choices!

Infantino Lion Teethers sold at Pottery Barn Kids, Babies 'R Us and other specialty stores from June 2006 through Deember 2007 for about $5. Cute! Too bad the wee plastic noses fall right off, posing a choking hazard. However, not all lion teethers are included, only the ones that are yellow and range and have the following date codes: 6116, 6129, 6158, 6137, 0606, 0806, 0906, and 1006, located on the back of the lion’s head, above the Infantino® logo. Lion teethers with other date codes are not included in this recall. Contact Infantino for a replacement product or something of equivalent value.

Baby Toys Baby Bead and Wire Toys What do you get for a dollar? High lead levels, that's what! These were sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1 and Deal$ stores nationwide from March 2007 through October 2007; they can be returned where purchased for a full refund. Wow! A whole dollar! What are you going to do with your windfall?

Speed Racer Pull Back and Go Action! Cars were sold at the same locations as the bead and wire toys, for, guess what! the same price! Only they were sold September through November 2007. Same return information applies.

Codeena Princess Children's Metal Jewelry contain lead, lead, lead. And more lead. The pink and white pearl-type jewlelry sets came in necklace, bracelet and earring or ring combinations. Some sets have studded charms dangling on the bracelet and the necklace. And all of them have more lead than they should, ho ho ho! They were sold at discount stores nationwide from September 2005 through August 2007 for about $5. Take them back! To where you bought them! if you have questions you can contact Codeena directly.

Things Fall Apart: Bunk Beds From Hell

Karen Murphy — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:07:00 GMT

When my younger son was nearly born and the two older were then 7 and 3, I did a lot of shopping for bunk beds. A LOT.Of.Shopping. I'm a hunt-and-kill shopper myself, so this was understandably a painful process. But the bed had to be perfect, of course. It had to be twin-over-full, since then-co-sleeping Three might easily fall out of a twin. And it had to have the potential to be taken apart and used separately, because I knew that Seven was eventually going to outgrow wanting to share a room with his younger sister Three. Oh, and it couldn't cost an arm and a leg. After all, we're talking kid's furniture here.

So I found my nearly-perfect bed, and never dreamed at the time that bunk beds could be recalled due to strangulation hazard.

Bah. Nobody's been hurt yet, but somehow the people at Hooker Firniture Corp. have become aware that a body could fall through areas of the upper bunk while a head could not. In other words, you could have a kid dangling by his neck there. Not a good thing. So they've recalled them, all 1300 of them in a ton of styles, including my coveted twin-over full style. Also in twin-over-twin and loft styles, in these model names: Albany Park,” “Swedish Accents,” “Mariner’s Landing,” and “Chelsea’s Place”. The recalled beds came in cherry, white, and black finishes, and some were made of metal. All of them were sold between August 2005 through August 2007 for about $1,000. If you own one, you can contact the manufacturer about a free in-home repair.

Photo: cpsc.org