FitSugar

Product Recalls: What's Your Response Time?

LilSugar — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:02:22 PDT

Safety is one of, if not, the main concern for most parents. It's a big scary world out there. And though we can't protect our kids from everything forever, we certainly try our best. Or do we?

We heard about the dangers of drop-side cribs a year ago when the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced its intention to ban the cribs and do a general overhaul of crib safety standards. Last week, the CPSC followed through and announced a new set of safety standards that ban the manufacture of drop-side cribs.

Confession time: I didn't get rid of my drop-side crib. I kept planning to get a new one, but I just thought that my friend's two babies both slept in that crib, and we're just about done with it, and do I really have to spend all that much money on a new crib when this one works just fine? But when CNN reported that "the CPSC is appealing to consumers to not sell or give away their old cribs because they are “dangerous products that can kill” a baby," I stopped procrastinating. It may have taken me a year too long, but my baby is finally sleeping safely. And that means mom is sleeping a little better, too.

CPSC Bans Drop Side Cribs: Is Your Baby Safe?

babysugar — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:00:10 PDT

After a year of crib recalls due to malfunctioning drop sides, and the death of 153 babies in the past four years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced plans to ban the cribs and overhaul the standards to which lil one's beds are held. The crib is often the first item mamas-to-be purchase for their nurseries, making them the centerpiece in the room. Take this quiz and see if your crib conforms to the current standards.

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Will the iPhone 4 Be Recalled?

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:47:47 PDT

It's not surprising that after all the problems the iPhone 4 is having, there would be rumors of a recall. Not only are the antenna and reception an issue for some customers, but the fact that the iPhone 4 is so fragile is also causing users to make unexpected returns. And did you hear the one about the reflective ear canal? Yeah, apparently that's an issue too. Thankfully, Apple has been pretty flexible with the upswing in returns by waiving its usual restocking fee. But is it enough?

Although there is already a lawsuit in action, industry analysts are saying that a recall is unlikely. And I'd have to agree. I don't think there are enough complications to warrant a widespread recall, and your comments on the issue confirm that fact - none of you are having problems with reception! However, if a recall did go into effect, Apple would run up quite a bill by replacing all those handsets. Could this be why the white iPhone 4 wasn't available at launch? It's possible that Apple anticipated complications with the device, and held the white version back. It did say it was due to "manufacturing" problems. What's your take?

Sony Recalls 535,000 Vaio Laptops

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:05:39 PDT

Attention Sony Vaio users: the company has recalled the F- and C-series Vaio computers sold after January of this year after reports that they can get hot enough to cause the cases to bend, potentially burning users. The affected computers are in markets worldwide, though Sony says it's only received 39 reports of overheating.

Luckily, the problem can be fixed with a software download, so there is no need to physically take your computer to be fixed. To see if your Vaio is one of the affected, visit Sony's site to check your computer's serial number, then download the update. Sony has offered to arrange pickup of any affected laptop should customers not want to install the update themselves.

Another Reason Not to Eat Junk: Pringles Recall

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:10:02 PST

As if junk food wasn't bad enough because of the high calorie content and unpronounceable ingredients, here's another reason to avoid it. Procter & Gamble has announced the recall of two flavors of Pringles: Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger and Family Faves Taco Night. The culprit is the widely used flavor enhancer hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) made by Basic Food Flavors, Inc. Investigators found dirty equipment and poor drainage at the Las Vegas plant and smelly, standing pools of liquid where the HVP was made. What's even worse - the liquid tested positive for salmonella. Um . . . eww.

Pringles isn't the only food to worry about. Hot dogs, chili, stews, gravies, sauces, soups, salad dressings, and other snack foods also contain HVP made from this company. For a full list of products contained in this recall, check out FoodSafety.gov. Will you be tossing anything from your kitchen cabinets?

Are You Ignoring the Maclaren Recall?

babysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:31 PST

Recall? Who cares?! When recalls are announced, some people run back to the store to get their money back, but others keep on keeping on with their less than perfect goods. Such is the case with many a Maclaren pushing mommies. As I strolled about town yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the dominance of the British buggies rolling around in San Francisco - yours truly included. All different models with varying ages of children made their way through small spaces and tight sidewalks. While some mothers might have stopped using their recalled models, some clearly have no problem pushing the popular, if hazardous, strollers. When asked about their continued use, some declared they were more cautious when folding and collapsing it because of the hinge issue. Others said they called for the hinge repair kit while others threw caution to the wind saying there are probably dangers with every pushchair on the market... touché.

Are you taking the recall to heart or just using your stroller with caution?

Source

Maclaren Recalls One Million Strollers

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:17:32 PST

One of the top pram producing companies of the world is facing a tough task this morning. The always-popular Maclaren is recalling one million strollers that were sold between 1999 to the present. The problem at hand? Faulty hinges. The press release issued by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports wee fingers are at risk of getting severed during the unfolding or opening of the stroller.

Parents are being advised to stop using their strollers immediately until the models are known and the repair kits are issued. The buggy manufacturer will be providing the hinge covers on their website and through a hotline. The models have not been announced yet as the recall was to be released tomorrow. We will have an update on the make and model when the information becomes available.

What Do You Do With Recalled Products?

babysugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:00:32 PDT

Another day, another recall. It's tough for parents to keep up with all the faulty baby products, so often they just keep using them. Thanks to Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us, moms can take back a few items and turn them into money with the Great Trade In program. Mommies who have questioned their portable crib can get cash for that clunker and upgrade to a new one. Though it sounds like a pretty sweet deal, many parents keep their merchandise or toss them on the curb for passersby.

Toss Your Cookies! Nestle Voluntarily Recalls Dough

LilSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:18:18 PDT

Think twice before letting your kids eat raw prepackaged cookie dough or taking a nibble yourself. This morning, Nestle Toll House initiated a voluntary recall of all its refrigerated cookie products. The company was informed by the Food and Drug Administration that E. coli illnesses have been reported by people who ate the uncooked prepackaged products.

Consumers can return the goods to their local grocery store for a full refund or call 1-800-559-5025.

Brace Yourself For a Bigger Pistachio Recall

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:30:00 PDT

It's amazing that tiny nuts could cause so much trouble. Last week Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc. recalled more than two million pounds of roasted pistachios shipped since last Fall, and now the recall has been expanded to include all raw nuts and all roasted nuts from the producer's 2008 crop.

It's seen as a proactive move because there have been no confirmed illnesses, but health officials don't want to take any chances this time around and the FDA has indicated it will issue more sweeping decisions like this going forward. Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods at the FDA commented, "We’re going to try to stop people from getting sick in the first place, as opposed to waiting until we have illness and death before we take action."

Check the FDA website for its list of products affected by the recall, and if you don't see a pistachio-containing product that's in your pantry, don't eat it for a few weeks until there's more news about specific items. So far the list contains items such as trail mix, ice cream, and candy. Food safety first!

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