Keep an eye out, matey, for Sherwood brand “Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins” in those Halloween bags.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns that the foil-wrapped chocolate coins are contaminated with melamine, the industrial additive that has been tainting food products coming from China.
The recalled chocolate candy is sold in about two-pound packages containing 240 pieces and bearing UPC 0 36077 11240 7 and lot code 1928S1.
The candy was sold nationally in Canada through Costco stores and might also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores across Canada. Some might have found their way into the U.S.
“Although the health risk associated with these products is considered to be low, the advisory is being issued as part of a continuing investigation into milk and milk-derived products from China.
Archive for October, 2008
Check those Halloween bags
Friday, October 31st, 2008Feds say Bayer’s new products lack approval
Friday, October 31st, 2008Two new over-the-counter Bayer products — Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage and Bayer Women’s Aspirin — contain ingredients that require they receive federal review and approval. Although the products are being sold widely, the Food and Drug Administration says they basically are unapproved drugs.
The federal agency has issued warning letters to the drug maker for Bayer with Heart Advantage and Women’s Low Dose Aspirin and urges consumers to consult with their physicians about taking the products. If Bayer doesn’t respond to the warning letter, the feds might seize the products.
Details are here.
Notebook computer batteries can overheat
Friday, October 31st, 2008Lithium-ion batteries in Dell, Toshiba and Hewlett-Packard notebook computers can overheat, posing a fire hazard. About 100,000 of the batteries are affected.
Sony, the manufacturer, is recalling them. Information about it may be found here.
Signs of recession
Thursday, October 30th, 2008The Commerce Department today reported that a sharp fall in consumer spending—the first in 17 years—led to a contraction in real gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of this year.
Technically speaking, it means the nation might be half-way toward a recession, which typically is defined as two consecutive quarters of GDP decline.
Of course, this wouldn’t be news in Michigan or Monroe County, which are pretty much already in recession.
These ghosts aren’t so friendly
Thursday, October 30th, 2008If Halloween wasn’t scary enough, Casper the Ghost mini-figurines sold at gift stores are being recalled because they violate federal standards for lead content.
Also, Ghost Tea Light Holders, are being recalled because they are a fire hazard.
Label maker adaptors can overheat
Thursday, October 30th, 2008DYMO Label Makers have power adaptors that can smoke and overheat, possibly burning users.
More information is available here.
Fit & Fresh mixers can slice & dice fingers
Thursday, October 30th, 2008Fit & Fresh blenders and mixers, sold at health food and nutrition stores, can start up unexpectedly when you adjust or add the blender container to the base, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
More information may be found here.
Homelite chain saws have brake problem
Thursday, October 30th, 2008Homelite is recalling about 370,000 of its chain saws because they’re susceptible to chain-brake failure.
Check out details of the recall here.
Earth-friendly? Maybe. Kid-friendly? Not quite
Thursday, October 30th, 2008Earth Friendly is recalling some of its wooden toys for toddlers because they have small pieces that can detach and pose a choking hazard.
Details and a photo are here.
Treadmills have mind of own
Thursday, October 30th, 2008About 19,000 Cybex treadmills are being recalled because they can unexpectedly speed up.
Details are here.
Serta recalling some mattresses
Thursday, October 30th, 2008Serta is recalling about 6,100 of its mattresses because they violate federal flammeability standards.
Details are here.
Some Special Kitty cat food contaminated
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008Some SPECIAL KITTY Gourmet Blend dry cat food sold at Walmart stores might be contaminated with salmonella. Ohio stores are included in the recall, but not Michigan stores.
Details are here.
Check for sex offenders on your street
Monday, October 27th, 2008Nearly 300 registered sex offenders call Monroe County home.
Do you want your kids begging them for candy this Halloween?
Just to be on the safe side, state officials are urging parents to check the state’s online sex offender registry so kids can avoid the homes where offenders live.
“Halloween is a memorable time, but it also presents dangers as children often go door-to-door in neighborhoods they are unfamiliar with,” said Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. “Doing a timely check of the sex offender registry, making sure your child is always with an adult and knowing the neighborhoods before you go trick-or-treating can help protect children from dangers.”
Maintained by the Michigan State Police, the sex offender registry is a searchable database that allows users to search by community, ZIP Code, name, street or other variables. It has photos of many of the offenders and some details of the crimes.
A new feature allows users to registers up to six different ZIP codes and receive an automatic e-mail notice whenever a sex offender moves into one of the ZIP codes.
Halloween contacts can be frightful
Sunday, October 26th, 2008Novelty contact lenses designs to make your eyes look like that of a cat or tiger or zombie can make you the hit of the Halloween party, but they also can damage your eyes.
Really, do you want to put something in your eye that you bought at a flea market or convenience store?
The FDA says such over-the-counter sales are not only illegal, but can be very dangerous. Check out the warning here.
Luckily, there are only A FEW THOUSAND sites on the Internet where you can buy them.
Scion judged most reliable car
Friday, October 24th, 2008The Scion xD is ranked as tops in reliability by Consumer Reports. It had 80 percent fewer problems than most other cars.
Among domestic automakers, Ford led the pack in overall reliability.
For the report’s findings, click here.