First it was peanuts. Now pistachios have been found to be tainted by salmonella.
Get ready for a flood of related recalls. The Food and Drug Administration has a searchable database of products already.
Read more here.
Archive for March, 2009
Now pistachios are subject to recall
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009Bank reports counterfeit checks circulating
Friday, March 20th, 2009Counterfeit checks drawn on People’s National Bank of Mount Vernon, Ill. are being used in connection with mystery shopping, bogus lottery and other scams.
If you get a letter in the mail bearing one of the checks, don’t cash it. You could be held liable for repaying the money you might receive.
More details may be found here.
Michigan firm’s craft kits recalled
Friday, March 20th, 2009Educational “Solar System” and “DNA” craft kits made by FloraCraft of Ludington, Mich. are being recalled because they might contain excessive lead. About 930,000 of the kits were sold at a variety of general merchandise and craft stores.
Details may be found here.
Cannondale bicycles subject to recall
Friday, March 20th, 2009Eight different models of Cannondale bicycles are being recalled because they are missing a spoke protector that prevents the chain from interacting with the wheel.
More information on the recall may be found here.
Kohl’s hoodies can strangle wearers
Friday, March 20th, 2009Seattle Cotton Works hooded sweatshirts sold at Kohl’s department stores are being taken off the racks because the drawstrings are too long and pose a strangulation hazard.
Details and photos are here.
Nordstrom recalls girls shoes
Friday, March 20th, 2009Nordstrom is recalling two types of shoes for girls because the outer soles have excessive lead content in their paint.
More info is here.
Good Neighbor bear can choke children
Friday, March 20th, 2009State Farm Insurance is recalling the Good Neigh Bear teddy bears they distribute to customers because the bears’ cute button eyes can detach and pose a choking hazard to tots.
About 827,000 of the bears were distributed in the U.S. and Canada between 2005 and 2007.
Details and a photo may be found here.
State jobless pay to rise $25 a week
Thursday, March 19th, 2009Unemployed Michigan workers will begin collecting an extra $25 a week in unemployment benefits starting next week.
The extra federal-funded benefits are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was enacted in February.
Unemployed workers will receive a retroactive lump sum payment for any weeks they claimed and were eligible for going back to the week ending February 28, when the benefit increase became effective. The lump sum payment could be $25 to $75. These back payments are expected to be issued in April.
The added benefits will temporarily increase all state and federal unemployment benefit payments and temporarily boost Michigan’s maximum weekly benefit from $362 to $387. The $25 is a temporary payment that will be applied to weeks of unemployment for those with current claims and those who establish claims before the end of 2009. FAC payments will be phased out by the week ending July 3, 2010, according to the state Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Fender Bender insurance is bogus
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation is warning Michigan consumers that they may have unknowingly purchased fraudulent automobile insurance certificates from an entity claiming to be a Detroit-based insurance agency named Fender Bender Insurance Agency. OFIR Commissioner Ken Ross has ordered Fender Bender to cease and desist from doing business.
“Any Michigan driver who bought fake auto insurance from Fender Bender needs to purchase proper coverage immediately,” Ross said. “Until they buy legitimate coverage—they’re driving without insurance.”
Insurance producers (agents) and agencies in Michigan are required to have a license on display in their offices. Consumers are advised prior to purchasing auto insurance to ask the agency to show a copy of its license.
Consumers are also urged to contact OFIR toll-free at 877-999-6442 if they believe they may have bought a policy from Fender Bender or if they have any questions about an insurance company, agent or product. Consumers can check to see if an insurance agency is licensed to do business in Michigan by clicking here.
Paintball guns are faulty
Monday, March 16th, 2009Tippmann A-5 paintball guns are being recalled because they might injure users. The information may be found here.
Kidde fire extinguishers being recalled
Monday, March 16th, 2009Kidde XL fire extinguishers are being recalled because the cylinder can lose pressure and fail to operate when needed. About 167,000 of them are subject to the recall. More info may be found here.
Faulty fridges can cook your home
Monday, March 16th, 2009About 1.6 million refrigerators made by Maytag but sold under various popular brand names, including Amana and Magic Chef, are being recalled because they have an electrical problem that can cause a short-circuit and fire.
At least 41 reports of fires from the faulty fridges have been reported. More details are here.
Hair dryers sold at Big Lots are faulty
Monday, March 16th, 2009Some 31,000 Style Elements hair dryers sold at Big Lots stores are being recalled because they don’t have an protective feature that prevents electrical shock if they fall into water.
More details may be found here.
Infant toys could be choking hazard
Monday, March 16th, 2009About 172,000 Infantino infant toys sold at places such as Walmart and Meijer are being recalled because they have metal fabric that can detach and pose a choking hazard to tots. More information may be found here.
Glide ice skates have high lead content
Monday, March 16th, 2009Glide DBX ice skates sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods stores nationwide are being recalled because they have excessive lead content. More info is here.