Product recalls https://www.wkbn.com Local News, Weather and Sports in Youngstown, Ohio Thu, 28 Sep 2023 17:07:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://www.wkbn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2019/06/apple-touch-icon-ipad-retina.png?w=32 Product recalls https://www.wkbn.com 32 32 162794522 Cantaloupe sold in 19 states recalled over possible salmonella contamination https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/cantaloupe-sold-in-19-states-recalled-over-possible-salmonella-contamination/ Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:48:42 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/cantaloupe-sold-in-19-states-recalled-over-possible-salmonella-contamination/ (WHTM) - Thousands of whole cantaloupe sold in 19 states have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.

The recall includes 6,456 cases of Eagle Produce's Kandy brand whole cantaloupe with the UPC code 4050 and lot codes 797900, 797901 and 804918.

The recalled fruit was distributed between Sept. 5 and Sept. 16 in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.

Recalled Cantaloupe (FDA)

Salmonella can cause "serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," the FDA says.

As of Sept. 27, no illnesses have been reported. No other products or lot code dates are included in this recall.

The FDA says anyone with the recalled fruit, which was sold in various supermarkets, should not consume it but instead should throw it out. Also, anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers can contact Eagle Produce LLC for more information at 1-800-627-8674 between Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

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1617860 2023-09-28T17:07:12+00:00
Some butternut squash sold in Pa. recalled https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/some-butternut-squash-sold-in-pa-recalled/ Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:34:58 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/?p=1614837 (WKBN)- A diced organic butternut squash product that was sold in Pennsylvania is being recalled, according to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

According to a press release, Safeway Fresh Foods of Vineland, New Jersey is recalling its 32-oz. Diced Organic Butternut Squash product as it has the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli O45. 

The FDA states that E. coli O45 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). This condition is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly; the condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

The 32-oz. diced butternut squash was distributed only to Costco in Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The potential for contamination was discovered after routine testing by the company detected the presence of E. coli O45.

The closest Costco to the Valley in Pennsylvania is in Cranberry Township.

Consumers who specifically purchased Costco item 20522, UPC 040232244124, 32-oz. diced Organic Butternut Squash between September 7, 2023, and September 15, 2023, with a use-by date of September 19 are urged to return it to their local Costco. If you have any product with this date code remaining, the FDA is asking that you do not consume it.

The FDA states that no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-856-692-7200 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET.

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1614837 2023-09-26T18:35:03+00:00
Ice cream sold in Ohio recalled for possible listeria contamination https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/not-fried-chicken-ice-cream-sold-in-39-states-recalled-for-possible-listeria-contamination/ Sat, 23 Sep 2023 16:28:19 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/not-fried-chicken-ice-cream-sold-in-39-states-recalled-for-possible-listeria-contamination/ (WHTM) – The United States Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that Life Raft Treats has recalled two of their ice cream products — Not Fried Chicken and Life Is Peachy — due to possible listeria contamination.

The recalled products were shipped to consumers in 39 states beginning August 28.

The recall includes two varieties of the novelty Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream treats: a 64-ounce bucket and the individual 2.5-ounce bars. The treats, which are designed to look like pieces of fried chicken, are described at Goldbelly.com as Life Raft Treats' "signature offering," and contain waffle-flavored ice cream and crushed corn flakes surrounding a cookie "bone."

The brand's 6-count Life Is Peachy treats, also involved in the recall, are peach flavored frozen desserts made to mimic the appearance of actual peaches.

No illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming the products to date, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The products were initially shipped to distribution centers in seven states. They were available for nationwide purchase via Goldbelly.

ProductProductUPCUse By Dates
LIFE RAFT TREATS
LIFE IS PEACHY
6 COUNTNO UPC CODEUp to and
including
BEST BY
AUG 08282024
LIFE RAFT TREATS
NOT FRIED CHICKEN
ICE CREAM
64 OZ BUCKETNO UPC CODEUp to and
including
BEST BY
AUG 08282024
LIFE RAFT TREATS
NOT FRIED CHICKEN
ICE CREAM
2.5 OZ BAR8 60006 18210 6Up to and
including
BEST BY
AUG 08282024

Life Raft Treats said the affected products had been shipped directly to customers in 39 states and Washington, D.C.

Specifically, the products were shipped to customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

"Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and to return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund or they may discard the product," Life Raft Treats wrote in its recall notice.

Those with additional questions can contact the Life Raft Treats by email at recall@liferafttreats.com or by calling (843) 695-9806 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

Listeriosis, an infection caused by foodborne listeria monocytogenes bacteria, affects roughly 1,600 people each year, around 260 of whom die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those at the highest risk are pregnant women, newborns, young children, those over 65 and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant woman are also 10 times more likely to contract listeria infection, and pregnant Hispanic women are roughly 24 times more likely. In pregnant women, listeria infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths or preterm labor.

Symptoms of listeria infection include fever and diarrhea, along with headache, stiff neck, nausea, loss of balance, abdominal pain, confusion and convulsions, according to the CDC and FDA. Pregnant women, however, typically only experience flu-like symptoms and fever, the CDC says.

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1611900 2023-09-23T17:08:49+00:00
Children's books sold at Target, Amazon recalled over possible choking hazards https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/childrens-books-sold-at-target-amazon-recalled-over-possible-choking-hazards/ Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:05:35 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/childrens-books-sold-at-target-amazon-recalled-over-possible-choking-hazards/ (WDKY) — A series of children's board books have been recalled over possible choking risks. The books were sold at Target, Barnes and Noble, Sam's Club, and Amazon.

About 260,000 books from the Rainbow Road series were recalled on Thursday due to plastic binding rings that could detach and create choking hazards for young children. Make Believe Ideas has received two reports of plastic rings detaching in the U.S. and one in Australia. No injuries have been reported.

Recalled animal counting book (CPSC)

The following books were recalled:

  • Animal Counting (ISBN 9781803374802)
  • Dinosaur's First Words (ISBNs 9781803374932 and 9781803372211)
  • Old MacDonald Had a Farm (ISBNs 9781803376790 and 9781803373355)
  • Rainbow Road Book Box (ISBN 9781803376288)
  • There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (ISBNs 9781803372945 and 9781803371580)
  • Things that Go! (ISBN 9781803374826)
  • Unicorn's Colors (ISBNs 9781803374789 and 9781803376622)
  • Where's My Bottom? (ISBNs 9781803372723 and 9781803376738)

The affected books were sold nationwide at the previously mentioned retailers, in addition to some school book fairs from March 2022 through August 2023. Individual books were priced between $10 and $11 and box sets were sold for about $21.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has advised anyone who has the books to stop using them.

To get a refund on purchases of the recalled books, contact Make Believe Ideas to receive a gift card by registering online here. After registration, customers will be given instructions on how to dispose of their book(s) and will be asked to confirm they have disposed of the books.

If you have further questions or concerns, you can contact Make Believe Ideas from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Mondays-Fridays by calling (877) 206-1091.

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1611099 2023-09-22T22:25:18+00:00
48,000 sold mattresses recalled over mold risk https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/48000-mattresses-sold-at-costco-recalled-over-mold-risk/ Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:21:58 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/48000-mattresses-sold-at-costco-recalled-over-mold-risk/ (WHTM) -- A Pennsylvania-based manufacturer is recalling 48,000 mattresses that were sold at Costco due to the risk of mold exposure, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

FXI Inc. is recalling the Novaform ComfortGrande 14-inch and Novaform DreamAway 8-inch mattresses. The company has received 541 reports of mold on the mattresses so far. No injuries were reported.

The ComfortGrande mattress has a blue base with “Novaform” written in white letters. The DreamAway has a gray base with “Novaform” written in white letters.

Included in the recall are only mattresses with the model/item numbers in the charts below and manufactured at FXI’s San Bernardino, California, facility between Jan. 2, 2023, and April 28, 2023. The mattress' item number can be found on the mattress box and on the tag attached to the mattress, which is where the manufacturing location can also be found.

ComfortGrande 14" Mattress
 ITM/ART #Price
King1413200$700 
Cal King1413201$700
Queen1413202$580
Full1413203$500
Twin1413204$400
King1413200$750
Queen1413202$600
DreamAway 8" Mattress
 ITM/ART #Price
Twin1698562$160
Full1698564$210
Twin1698562$150
Full1698564$200

The recalled mattresses were sold at Costco stores in the Pacific Northwest, the San Francisco Bay area, and on Costco's website from January 2023 to June 2023 for $150 - $750.

Consumers should contact FXI to receive a full refund or a free replacement, including free delivery and disposal of the recalled mattress. Costco is contacting all known purchasers directly.

Mattress owners can contact FXI toll-free at 888-886-2057 or by going online at https://novaformcomfort.com/pages/recall or https://novaformcomfort.com and click Product Recall for more information.

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1609076 2023-09-21T15:59:53+00:00
Kraft Heinz is recalling some American cheese slices because the wrappers could pose choking hazard https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/ap-kraft-heinz-is-recalling-some-american-cheese-slices-because-the-wrappers-could-pose-choking-hazard/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:54:19 +0000 Kraft Heinz said Tuesday it's recalling more than 83,000 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices because part of the wrapper could stick to the slice and become a choking hazard.

The company, which is based in Chicago and Pittsburgh, said one of its wrapping machines developed a temporary issue that makes it possible for a thin strip of film to remain on the slice even after it's been removed from the wrapper. The machine has since been fixed.

Kraft Heinz said it initiated the voluntary recall after it received several consumer complaints. In six cases, people said the issue caused gagging or choking, but no injuries or serious health issues have been reported, Kraft Heinz said.

The recall affects 16-ounce Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 10, 2024, and Jan. 27, 2024. Also included in the recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 9, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2024.

Consumers who bought those products should not consume them and should return them to the store where they were purchased for an exchange or a refund, Kraft Heinz said. Consumers can also contact Kraft Heinz at 1-800-280-8252 to see if a product is part of the recall and to receive reimbursement.

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1606691 2023-09-21T16:11:00+00:00
Cake recall impacts Walmart stores nationwide https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/cake-recall-impacts-walmart-stores-nationwide/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 23:35:53 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/cake-recall-impacts-walmart-stores-nationwide/ (KSNT) — Federal health officials say cake slices sold in Walmart stores could pose serious allergy risks to some individuals.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a press release that David's Cookies is recalling more than 950 units of its 7 oz. "Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake" with the lot number BS23212. This product was sold in Walmart stores across the country.

The recall was issued after 960 units of "Marketside Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake" were mislabeled as "Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake," according to the FDA. Because the label doesn't list peanuts as an ingredient and doesn't declare a peanut allergen warning, federal regulators fear the product may pose a risk for those with a peanut allergy.

(Photo Courtesy/FDA)

No illnesses or injuries have been reported to the FDA yet in connection to the recalled product. If you have a peanut allergy and consume the recalled product, you are advised to contact a physician immediately.

Walmart and David's Cookies are working together to block all "Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake" and "Marketside Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake" from being distributed further, according to the FDA.

If you have purchased the recalled cake slices, you are encouraged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. If you have any questions, you can call David's Cookies at 800-500-2800 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. EST.

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1606765 2023-09-20T01:10:02+00:00
Ground beef recalled due to possible E. coli contamination https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/ground-beef-recalled-due-to-possible-e-coli-contamination/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:03:51 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/?p=1605363 (WJW) — Meat eaters are being warned about a possible E. coli contamination in some ground beef packages sold in several states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said Friday that the Wisconsin-based Green Bay Dressed Beef, LCC has recalled a little over 58,000 pounds of its ground beef products.

A sample of the meat tested by a state public health found Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103, prompting the recall.

The affected meat was produced on Aug. 14 and has an establishment number of EST. 18076. The following beef products, all 10-lb. plastic tubes, were affected:

  • 90050 Beef Fine Ground 81/19 -- lot code D123226026
  • 20473 Beef Halal Fine Ground 73/27 -- lot code D123226027
  • 20105 Beef Fine Ground 73/27 -- lot code D123226027

FSIS said there have been no reported cases of human contamination but reminds everyone to throw out any affected beef to be safe. The beef was sent to distributors in Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia.

Symptoms for this strain of E. coli include vomiting and bloody diarrhea and could lead to health complications.

Those who may have questions regarding the recall can reach out to Jennifer Dibbern, the VP of Marketing and Communications at American Foods Group LLC (which does business as Green Bay Dressed Beef) by calling 1-800-829-2838 or write in at info@americanfoodsgroup.com.

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1605363 2023-09-19T02:03:53+00:00
Portable generators recalled over serious fire and burn hazards https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/portable-generators-recalled-over-serious-fire-and-burn-hazards/ Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:01:00 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/portable-generators-recalled-over-serious-fire-and-burn-hazards/ (WHTM) – Around 64,000 portable generators made by Generac have been recalled due to serious fire and burn hazards, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The CPSC says the generators' fuel tanks may fail to properly vent from the rollover valve, risking a buildup of pressure in the tanks. The pressurized tanks may then "expel fuel when opened, posing fire and burn hazards," the CPSC says.

The company that makes the generators had received 27 reports of incidents concerning overheating, pressurizing or expelling fuel. Three of those incidents resulted in severe burns, according to the CPSC.

The USCPSC also states that three incidents occurred that resulted in severe burn injuries.

The generators were sold between April 2011 and June 2023. The following unit types and model numbers are affected by the recall:

  • Unit Type: GP15000E 
    • Model Numbers:
      • G0057341
      • G0057342
      • 005734R1
      • 005734R2
  • Unit Type: GP17500E
    • Model Numbers:
      • G0057351
      • G0057352
      • 005735R1
      • 005735R2

These model numbers are printed on labels located on the generators' heat shields. The heat shields are located between the engine and alternator.

Consumers can contact Generac for a free repair kit, according to the CPSC. Until then, all owners are being urged to void using the affected generators. Consumers seeking additional information can also call Generac toll-free at 888-391-0503 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

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1602245 2023-09-15T23:33:27+00:00
52,000 water bead toys recalled after infant death https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/52000-water-bead-toys-recalled-after-infant-death/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:19:58 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/52000-water-bead-toys-recalled-after-infant-death/ (WHTM) -- The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Buffalo Games have recalled about 52,000 Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits sold at Target following the death of an infant.

If ingested, a water bead expands and can pose ingestion, choking and intestinal obstruction hazards inside a child’s body. This can cause severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and potentially death for a child, according to the commission.

That was the case for a 10-month-old baby who had swallowed the water beads in July 2023, prompting this recall.

The toy company also received a report a 9-month-old who was seriously injured in November 2022 after swallowing the beads. The baby had an intestinal obstruction and needed surgery to remove them.

The CPSC says consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water bead kits and take them away from children. People can also contact Buffalo Games for a full refund and to receive instructions on how to return the product.

The recalled Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kit comes in a purple container and the label reads "Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kit."

The kits include 2 ounces of “jumbo” water beads and 6 ounces of “regular” water beads. The recalled kits also come with a clear container and lid, five small toy fish, a scissor scoop, tweezers, a scoop with a handle, 10 activity cards and instructions.

The purple box has the UPC Number 079346627035 printed on the back.

The recalled kits were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from March 2022 through November 2022 for about $15.


Consumer Contact

Buffalo Games can be reached toll-free at 800-637-0732 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, by email at beadrecall@buffalogames.com, or online at https://chuckleandroar.com/recall or www.chuckleandroar.com, where you can click on “Recall Information” at the top of the landing page.

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1601486 2023-09-14T23:32:50+00:00
Nearly 400K Honda lawnmowers, pressure washer engines recalled due to injury hazard https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/nearly-400k-honda-lawnmowers-pressure-washer-engines-recalled-due-to-injury-hazard/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 16:10:15 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/nearly-400k-honda-lawnmowers-pressure-washer-engines-recalled-due-to-injury-hazard/ (WHTM) -- American Honda Motors is recalling about 391,800 of its lawnmowers and pressure washer engines due to an injury hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Honda HRN216 and HRX217K6 lawnmowers and the GCV170/200 G5B pressure washer engines are involved in the recall.

The CPSC states that the camshafts in the engines have been improperly manufactured, causing the starter rope to suddenly retract when pulling to start. So far, Honda has received seven injury reports.

The red and black gas-fueled walk-behind lawnmowers have the model and serial number located on the mower deck. The pressure washer engine's serial number is engraved on the engine.

There have been 2,197 reports related to the camshaft failures.

Consumers have been asked to immediately stop using the recalled lawnmowers and pressure washers equipped with these engines and to contact the Honda Power Equipment dealer for a free inspection and repair.

The lawnmowers were sold nationwide from May 2022 to June 2023 at Honda Power Equipment dealers, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowes, Northern Tool, and various farm, agricultural, and rental stores.

The pressure washer engines were sold nationwide from June 2022 to August 2023 at Lowes, Home Depot and other retail stores.

For more information, contact American Honda Motor toll-free at 888-888-3139 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at powerequipment.honda.com/support/recalls-and-updates or crmshonda.my.salesforce-sites.com/service/pew2c.

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1600664 2023-09-14T16:26:31+00:00
Rocks, insects, plastic: Why are 'foreign objects' common in food recalls? https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/rocks-insects-plastic-why-are-foreign-objects-common-in-food-recalls/ Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:01:34 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/rocks-insects-plastic-why-are-foreign-objects-common-in-food-recalls/ Rocks in Trader Joe’s cookies. Insects in its broccoli-cheese soup. Pieces of plastic in Banquet frozen chicken strips.

In recent weeks, U.S. consumers have seen high-profile food recalls for an unappetizing reason: They're contaminated with foreign objects that have no place on a dinner plate. And while no one wants to bite down on stainless steel in peanut butter or bone fragments in smoked sausage, this type of contamination is one of the top reasons for food recalls in the U.S.

Food safety experts and federal agencies use the terms “extraneous” or “foreign” materials to describe things like metal fragments, rubber gaskets and bits of bugs that somehow make it into packaged goods.

“Extraneous materials” triggered nine recalls in 2022 of more than 477,000 pounds of food regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service — triple the number of recalls tied to food contaminated with toxic E. coli bacteria.

And the size of recalls can reach into the millions: In 2019, USDA reported 34 recalls of more than 16 million pounds of food, spurred in large part by a giant recall of nearly 12 million pounds of Tyson chicken strips tainted with pieces of metal.

Plastic pieces from frayed conveyor belts, wood shards from produce pallets, metal shavings or wire from machinery are all common. So are rocks, sticks and bugs that can make it from the field to the factory.

Some contamination may even be expected, the FDA acknowledges in a handbook.

“It is economically impractical to grow, harvest or process raw products that are totally free of non-hazardous, naturally occurring, unavoidable defects," the agency wrote.

Both the USDA and FDA ask companies to promptly notify them when food is potentially contaminated with objects that may harm consumers. The agencies then determine whether recalls are necessary. Most recalls are voluntary and initiated by the companies, though the agencies can request or mandate the action.

Regulators said the Banquet issue was discovered when someone reported an oral injury after eating chicken strips. ConAgra Brands Inc., which owns Banquet, declined to comment beyond the firm’s news release. Trader Joe’s wouldn’t elaborate on how material got into the foods that led to its recent recalls.

Detection of unwanted objects has vastly improved in the past several years, said Keith Belk, director of the Center for Meat Safety and Quality at Colorado State University. Large manufacturers use magnets, metal detectors, X-ray devices and other technology to find unwanted materials in their products.

Still, “they’re going to miss things,” Belk said.

Those things have included pieces of gray nitrile glove that forced the recall of nearly 6,400 pounds of chicken tortilla soup in 2021 and pieces of copper wire that led to recall of nearly 5,800 pounds frozen beef shepherd’s pie in 2022.

There are also two notorious examples from 2017: “extraneous golf ball materials” that triggered a recall of frozen hash browns and a dead bat found in bagged salad that led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend rabies treatment for two people.

In recent years, firms have become increasingly cautious and are recalling products more frequently than before, said Nathan Mirdamadi, a consultant with Commercial Food Sanitation, which advises the industry about food safety.

That may be because consumers don’t like finding weird things in their food. When they do, lawsuits may follow, experts said.

“It’s never good business to injure your customers,” Mirdamadi added.

Actual contamination may affect only a small amount of product, but firms recall all food produced within a certain window just to be safe. And while some of the food may be able to be “reconditioned” or treated for safety and sold again, “most of the time, it’s going to landfills,” Mirdamadi said.

Consumers who find foreign materials in food should notify manufacturers, experts said, but also realize that recalls are likely to stick around.

“The thing is, there’s never going to be a day where there’s zero risk associated with consuming a food product,” Belk said.

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1595726 2023-09-11T13:19:50+00:00
Paw Patrol snacks in UK recalled over link to site featuring porn https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/paw-patrol-snacks-in-uk-recalled-over-link-to-site-featuring-porn/ Wed, 06 Sep 2023 18:48:33 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/paw-patrol-snacks-in-uk-recalled-over-link-to-site-featuring-porn/ (WTRF/NEXSTAR) – A supermarket chain in the United Kingdom has recalled Paw Patrol-branded snacks after the URL listed on the back of the packaging was compromised and redirected visitors to website featuring pornographic material.

Lidl GB is recalling all batches of the four Paw Patrol-branded products, which all come in 5-count quantities.

(Courtesy of Lidl)

Recall products are:

  • Paw Patrol All Butter Mini Biscotti Biscuits
  • Paw Patrol Choco Chip Mini Biscotti Biscuits
  • Paw Patrol Yummy Bake Bars Raspberry
  • Paw Patrol Yummy Bake Bars Apple

The website, which is not safe for work, redirects to a white screen with a message in Chinese. If the website is accessed on a mobile device, however, it loads several pornographic ads, TechCrunch reported.

Lidl is asking customers to refrain from visiting the URL and to return the products to the nearest store for a full refund.

The company has so far not reported any U.S. products being affected by the recall. For further information, customers can reach out by email to customer.care@lidl.co.uk.

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1590513 2023-09-06T20:37:21+00:00
Pet food company recalls dog food over salmonella concerns https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/pet-food-company-recalls-dog-food-over-salmonella-concerns/ Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:20:16 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/nexstar-media-wire/pet-food-company-recalls-dog-food-over-salmonella-concerns/ (WGN) - A Texas-based company is recalling a brand of its premium dog food over possible salmonella contamination.

Mid America Pet Food, of Mount Pleasant, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  

The recalled dog food, which was distributed throughout the U.S., includes 644 cases of 5-pound bags with lot code 1000016385 and a best-by date of April 30, 2024.

(FDA)

The recall was issued after a random sample of the dog food was tested by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and came back positive for salmonella.

No illnesses - human or pet - have been reported so far, the FDA said.

Salmonella infections in pets can cause lethargy, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite and abdominal pain.

Infected pets can infect other animals and even humans, who could experience symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. In rare cases, more serious ailments can occur.

"Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products," the FDA said in a statement.

Retailers and distributors are advised not to sell or donate the recalled dog food, and consumers should destroy the food "in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access," the FDA said.

For more information, contact Mid America Pet Food Consumer Affairs at info@mapf.com or 1-888-428-7544.

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1590176 2023-09-06T17:15:24+00:00
US steps toward forcing recall of 52 million air bag inflators that can explode and hurl shrapnel https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/ap-us-takes-step-to-force-recall-of-52-million-air-bag-inflators-that-can-explode-and-hurl-shrapnel/ Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:14:33 +0000 DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government is taking a big step toward forcing a defiant Tennessee company to recall 52 million airbag inflators that could explode, hurl shrapnel and injure or kill people.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday said it has made an initial decision that the inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc., and under license by another company, are defective. The agency scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 5, a required step before deciding to seek a court-ordered recall.

In May the agency asked ARC to recall the inflators, which it says are responsible for at least seven injuries and two deaths in the U.S. and Canada since 2009. But ARC has refused to issue a full-scale recall, setting the stage for the possible court fight.

Messages were left Tuesday seeking comment from ARC. The company maintains that no safety defect exists, that NHTSA’s demand is based on a hypothesis rather than technical conclusions, and that the agency has no authority to order a parts manufacturer to announce recalls.

“These airbag inflators may rupture when the vehicle’s airbag is commanded to deploy, causing metal debris to be forcefully ejected into the passenger compartment of the vehicle,” NHTSA wrote in an initial decision document. “A rupturing air bag inflator poses an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants.”

NHTSA wants ARC to recall inflators in driver and passenger front airbags from at least a dozen automakers. Neither ARC nor the auto industry has released a full list of vehicle models with the kind of air bag inflators that have exploded. But at least 25 million of the 284 million vehicles on U.S. roads are believed to contain them.

Owners of vehicles made by at least a dozen auto brands — Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Hyundai and Kia — are left to wonder anxiously whether their vehicles contain driver or front passenger inflators made by ARC.

Though ARC is resisting a full-scale recall, automakers have conducted seven smaller recalls of inflators since 2017 that were attributed to isolated manufacturing problems. Those recalls included one that General Motors announced in May involving nearly 1 million vehicles. Ultimately, automakers are responsible for the recalls.

Initially, NHTSA said that an estimated 67 million inflators should be recalled, but it revised the number to 52 million due to manufacturer responses in its investigation that over-counted the number, the agency said in documents issued Tuesday.

NHTSA contends that byproducts from welding during manufacturing can clog a vent inside the inflator canister that is designed to let gas escape to quickly fill airbags in a crash. In defective products, pressure can build to the point where the canister is blown apart.

The inflators that NHTSA seeks to recall are from before 2018, when ARC finished installing scopes to monitor welding byproducts and the vents. NHTSA said in April that it was unaware of any explosions involving inflators that were manufactured after the scopes were installed.

ARC, acquired in 2016 by Chinese real estate developer Yinyi Group, has said in letters to the government that it can’t state for sure whether its inflators might rupture again.

“Even with appropriate industry standards and efforts by manufacturers to minimize the risks of failures, the manufacturing processes may not completely eliminate the risk of occasional or isolated failures,” ARC wrote.

The company further argued that the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act “does not require vehicles and equipment to never experience a failure in the field. Rather the Safety Act seeks to protect the public against unreasonable risks.”

ARC said that during NHTSA’s eight-year investigation into the inflators, air bag makers, automakers and the government have been informed of any unexplained ruptures on the roads.

But NHTSA wrote on Tuesday that it's aware of seven U.S. ruptures of ARC inflators and at least two outside the U.S. A rupture happened as recently as March 22, the agency said, adding that inflators have exploded outside of groups that were previously recalled.

“An inflator that explosively ruptures, propelling metal fragments at high velocity into an occupied passenger compartment of a motor vehicle — and into the occupants themselves — cannot simply be dismissed as a normal manufacturing anomaly, with vehicle owners left uninformed yet bearing the risk of the peril they and their occupants face,” the agency wrote.

One person who died after an ARC inflator explosion was Marlene Beaudoin, a 40-year-old mother of 10 from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She was struck by metal fragments when her 2015 Chevrolet Traverse SUV was involved in a minor crash in 2021. Beaudoin and four of her sons had been on their way to get ice cream. The sons were not hurt.

Steve Polich, a Michigan attorney representing Beaudoin's family in a lawsuit against ARC, General Motors and airbag assembly maker Toyoda Gosei, welcomed NHTSA's finding and said in an email that it supports his case.

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This story has been corrected to show that at least 25 million vehicles could have the ARC airbag inflators, not 33 million.

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1588629 2023-09-05T20:38:36+00:00
Hillshire Brands products recalled due to possible bone fragment contamination in PA https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/hillshire-brands-products-recalled-due-to-possible-bone-fragment-contamination-in-pa/ Sun, 03 Sep 2023 16:47:04 +0000 https://www.wkbn.com/?p=1587058 PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Nearly 16,000 pounds of sausage products from Hillshire Brands Company have been recalled due to possible contamination with bone fragments.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspections Services (FSIS) announced the recall of approximately 15,876 pounds of blended meat and poultry smoked sausage products.

The smoked sausage products were produced on June 14, 2023, and have and effect the following products.

  • 14-oz. cryovac package containing one rope of "HILLSHIRE FARM SMOKED SAUSAGE MADE WITH PORK, TURKEY, BEEF" with lot codes in the form of the establishment number, line number and time of production in hours:minutes: seconds, "EST. 756A 20 19:00:00 through 21:59:59 and EST. 756A 21 19:00:00 through 21:59:59" and use by date of "Nov 11 23" printed on the front of the package.
Hillshire Brands Company Recalls Smoked Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination -FSIS

The products were shipped to retail stores in Pennsylvania, along with California, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Virginia.

There has been one reported oral injury associated with the consumption of the product.

Anyone who purchased the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase or throw them away.

The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that it received consumer complaints regarding bone fragments in the product. Also, FSIS received one consumer complaint regarding this issue.

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1587058 2023-09-03T16:47:06+00:00