Consumer alert!

Additional manufacturers are recalling products containing peanut butter due to the nationwide peanut butter contamination scare.
New products being recalled include:
Aspen Hills chocolate and cookie dough
Rain Creek and Sinbad’s desserts
Best Brands and Reese’s peanut butter cookie dough.
Various products sold at Nash Finch-owned stores

Lost amid inauguration news might have been the revelation by Heartland Payment Systems that it uncovered a security breach in its data systems. Heartland is a processor of Visa and Mastercard payments as well as payrolls for more than 100 million people.
The company said it has found no evidence that the security breach provided confidential financial information to the cyberthieves who might have hacked into its system.
The company set up a Web site to provide information, questions and answers.

VitaminWater, the hot-selling beverage said to have health benefits, is subject to a class action suit from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nutrition-advocacy group.
The reason? Each bottle has a decidedly unhealthy dose of 33 grams of sugar — more than a can of Coke.
VitaminWater is made by Coca-Cola.
For details about the claims, click here.

If you’re in the Toledo, Ann Arbor or Downriver area today, you might be able to snare a free cosmetics product from a major department store.
While supplies last, a number of retailers are giving away product as part of a $175 million settlement of a class action suit that accused the stores of cosmetic price fixing.
For a list of stores and products involved, click here.
You only need to sign a statement indicating that you purchased cosmetics between 1993 and 2006, but be aware that supplies are limited and its first-come, first-served, one product to a customer.

Austin and Keebler peanut butter sandwich crackers are being affected by the concerns over salmonella-tainted peanut butter. Kellogg, the maker of the crackers and other cookies, said one of its suppliers is Peanut Corp. of America, which found contamination in some of its peanut butter.
Details are here.

Several federal agencies have updated a brochure called “You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft.”
You can access it by clicking on the Attachment at the bottom of the press release announcing the update.

Ruff Hewn boys reversible vests sold at Elder-Beerman and Bon-Ton stores are being recalled because they have zippers that don’t meet federal standards and may pose a choking hazard. Consumers can get a full refund. Details may be found here.

Starcaps dietary supplement is being recalled because the diuretic has been found to contain an undeclared prescription drug.
Details are here.
Fashion Sanctuary also is recalling a fat loss pill because it contains an unapproved drug that could have health consequences. Its recall notice may be found here.

Novelty 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.

More than 1.5 million Delta drop-side cribs are being recalled because they have mechanical issues that can cause suffocation or entrapment of infants.
Some need their safety peg springs checked and others have missing safety pegs.

Kevin Trudeau, the infomercial weight-loss guru, will be feeling a little lighter soon — like about $5 million lighter because of FTC charges that his infomercials misled consumers about the content of his weight-loss books. He’s also been banned from doing informercials for five years.
Details are here.

The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation is warning Michigan consumers that they might have purchased bogus auto insurance certificates from Isaac Chandler of Comstock Park. On Friday, OFIR Commissioner Ken Ross issued a cease and desist order against Chandler for acting without an insurance producer’s license as required under the Michigan Insurance Code.
According to the Walker Police Department, Chandler may have sold as many as 500 fake auto insurance certificates to consumers across the state for $40 under the company names Citizens Insurance, Meridian Insurance and Nationwide Mutual Insurance.
“All Michigan drivers who bought an insurance certificate from Isaac Chandler need to get proper auto coverage immediately. They provide zero protection for you or your family in case of an accident,” Mr. Ross said. “Consumers are urged to contact our agency if they have any questions as to whether or not an insurance agent is licensed in Michigan.”
Insurance agents in Michigan must display licenses in their offices and carry a wallet-sized copy of their license with them. Consumers are advised prior to purchasing insurance to ask the individual to show a copy of his or her license.
Consumers are also urged to contact OFIR toll-free at 877-999-6442 if they believe they may have bought a policy from Isaac Chandler or if they have any questions about an insurance agent or product. Consumers can check to see if an insurance agent is licensed to do business in Michigan by clicking here.
Walker police arrested Chandler in April for selling fake auto insurance certificates. He pled guilty to six felony counts last week and is currently awaiting sentencing.

“Sky Scrambler” and “The Sharpler Image” wireless toy helicopters are a burn hazard because they have lithium ion batteries aboard that can overheat and catch fire.
About 685,000 of the copters, made by Innovage, are subject to the recall.