Consumer alert!

Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 2.77 million vehicles sold globally since 2000 due to steering and water pump problems.
About 1.51 million vehicles are being recalled for the steering defect in Japan and 1.25 million vehicles elsewhere, including 670,000 in the U.S.
Affected models include the Prius hybrid, Corolla, Wish and other models produced in Japan from 2000 to last year, and from 2000 to 2009 overseas.
Toyota is also recalling 630,000 vehicles spanning five hybrid models, including the Prius, for a defective water pump.

Nestlé USA is voluntarily recalling Nestlé NESQUIK Chocolate Powder in the 10.9, 21.8 and 40.7 ounce canisters.
Nestlé is removing the canisters from distribution because the company was notified by an ingredient supplier, Omya Inc. that it has issued a recall of certain lots of its ingredient, calcium carbonate due to possible presence of Salmonella. Calcium carbonate is used in NESQUIK as an ingredient. There have been no reports of any illnesses or adverse health effects associated with the affected product.
The affected NESQUIK Chocolate Powder was produced during early October, 2012.
Consumers who may have purchased the affected NESQUIK Chocolate Powder should not consume it, but instead should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact Nestlé Consumer Services at (800) 628-7679. For more details, click here.

The most common symptoms of Salmonella infection are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, which develop within eight to 72 hours of eating or drinking contaminated food. The illness usually lasts for four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. However, salmonellosis can be severe or even life threatening for infants, older people, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

Nestlé is dedicated to the health and safety of its consumers. For these reasons, the company initiated this voluntary recall. We apologize to our consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience created by this incident.

Nearly a million older Jeep Grand Cherokees and Jeep Libertys are being recalled because their airbags can inflate unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven.
The recall affects Grand Cherokees from the 2002 through 2004 model years and Libertys from model years 2002 and 2003, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The federal agency said that a part can fail in the air bag control computer, and the front and side air bags can inflate while the SUVs are being driven. An NHTSA investigation started last year found that the air bags went off 215 times, causing 81 minor injuries, but no crashes.
Chrysler will install an electrical filter free of charge to fix the problem. Owners will be notified in January.

Kitchen ranges made by LG Electronics are being recalled because sometimes the burners do not switch off. About 161,000 ranges are affected.
For details, click here.

Seat plates can break on About 70,000 Gruga office chairs distributed by Sauder Woodworking in Archbold, Ohio, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
For details, a list of all models affected, and photos of the products, click here.

About 37,000 MasterForge gas grills sold at Lowe’s are being recalled because of problems with the gas hose and connector fitting that can lead to a fire.
For details, click here.

BEF Foods Inc., a Columbus, Ohio, corporation, is recalling approximately 1,768,600 pounds of Bob Evans Maple Links and Maple Patties because they are misbranded in that they contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is not declared on the label. The products were produced at establishments in Hillsdale, MI and Xenia, OH.
The products subject to recall include:
12-oz. packages of “Bob Evans Maple Links” with UPC numbers of “075900002300”, “075900000085” and “075900002324.”
12-oz. packages of “Bob Evans Maple Patties” with UPC numbers of “0759000025028” and “075900000795” and “075900002522.”
For more details on the recall,click here.

Hatsan Striker air rifles that shoot pellets are being recalled because they can fire unexpectedly during the cocking process.
Some of the rifles were sold at Dunham’s and other sporting goods stores nationally.
For details on the recall, click here.

About 80,000 Sharper Image USB wall chargers are being recalled because they can overheat, smoke or melt. Some of them were sold through TJ Maxx stores. For details, click here.

Toyota is recalling A2.47 million cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. because balky power-window switches could melt or catch fire if lubricants are applied to them.
The recall affects cars made between July, 2005 and May, 2010 and include the Camry, Corolla and RAV4 SUV models.
It is Toyoto’s largest recall ever for a single part and involves more than 7 million vehicles globally.
Owners affected will be notified if their vehicles are affected and steps to take to remedy it.

About 62,000 General Electric Profile clothes washers are being recalled because the wash basket can detach and pose an injury risk to consumers.
For details, click here.

Haier 42-inch LED TVs are being recalled because the necks of the TV pedestals can break and might injure consumers. For details on the recall, click here.

Big Lots is recalling Wilson & Fisher garden swing sets because the log-style seats have been breaking, injuring consumers.
The wooden swings were sold at Big Lots stores this year. For details, click here.

Some 10-ounce packages of Kroger Fresh Selections Tender Spinach sold in 15 states, including Michigan, are being recalled because they might be contaminated with bacteria.
The packages are marked with a best if used by date of Sept. 16.
For details on the recall, click here.

Blind Xpress window blinds, about 139,000 in all, are being recalled after a 2-year-old Commerce Township, Mich. girl strangled in the pull cords.
The blinds are made in Livonia, Mich. but sold at numerous blind specialty stores.
For details on the recall, click here.