Missing: Truth in milk labeling

In late October, without warning or any public discussion, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) notified 19 dairies that “their labels are false or misleading and need to be changed.”  So, what kinds of labels were so terrible that the PDA felt they had to be removed from milk cartons immediately?  Labels that told the consumer that the cows that produced the milk had not been given any artificial hormones.  Examples of some of the supposedly “misleading” labels include, “Our farmers’ pledge:  no artificial growth hormones;” “From cows not treated with the growth hormone rBST;” and “Free of artificial growth hormones.”  As of February 1, 2008, these labels will be illegal.  The PDA says that such labels confuse consumers, “making it hard for consumers to make informed decisions.”

Some cows are in fact given an artificial hormone, produced by Monsanto.  Called recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH) or recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), it is a genetically engineered drug designed to increase milk production.  However, farmers who don't use the drug have discovered that many consumers actually prefer their milk produced the natural way, and those producers are using their non-use of the hormone as a selling point.

We find the PDA's sudden prohibition against farmers telling consumers they are not using hormones to be surprising, to say the least.  Some 13 years ago, shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made its controversial decision to approve the use of hormones, it also issued guidance specifically saying that dairies whose farmers didn’t use the artificial hormone could label their milk as “from cows not treated with rbST/rbGH.”

During the years since then, consumers have increasingly sought out milk from untreated cows.  A significant number of stores and chains, including Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Krogers and Publix, now offer milk and other dairy products labeled as coming from cows not treated with rbGH or rbST.

In late 2002, Monsanto asked the Maine Attorney General to declare "Our Farmer’s Pledge:  No Artificial Growth Hormones" labels “misleading” but he refused.  (Read our letter to the Maine Attorney General, asking that he not grant Monsanto’s request.  In 2007, Monsanto asked the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against such labels, but they refused as well.  In late August, the FTC wrote to Monsanto: “The FTC staff agrees with FDA that food companies may inform consumers in advertising, as in labeling, that they do not use rBST.”  However, in the Secretary of Agriculture of the state of Pennsylvania, Monsanto has apparently found a sympathetic ear.

Questions also remain about the safety of rbGH use, which FDA approved in 1993, but which has been rejected in Canada and the European Union (Read our op-ed on this issue here.)

—Michael Hansen

Children's jewelry and Boppy slipcovers recalled due to lead

Just in time for the start of the holiday shopping season, the Consumer Product Safety Commission today issued 10 recalls of items for children. Nine of the recalls are for products that pose a risk of lead exposure including six recalls, totaling almost 508,000 pieces, of children's jewelry. The CPSC notes that it was alerted to the lead-tainted jewelry by the New York State Attorney General’s Office. (According to the New York Times, the recalls were brought to the attorney general's notice by a state wildlife pathologist and his daughter.) Also recalled were 38,000 colored slipcovers for the popular Boppy pillow because the zippers on some contain high lead levels. On other Boppy covers, the zipper pull can break off and pose a choking hazard. Children's paint brushes and pencil cases were also recalled. The one non-lead item recalled was a "flashing" pacifier in which the nipple can become detached and become a choking hazard. The CPSC cautions parents to take the items away from children. A list of the recalls follows. Click on the title link for refund information and more photos.

Boppy slipcovers
How many: 38,000
Description: Slipcovers that pose a choking hazard are velvet and boa, intended for use with the Boppy Bare Naked nursing and support pillow. The slipcovers were sold in three color combinations in clear vinyl packages labeled Boppy Luxe. Slipcovers recalled due to lead paint on the zipper were sold in four colors in display boxes  labeled Boppy Soothing.
Reason: The zipper pull on the slipcovers can break, posing a choking hazard to young children. In addition, paint on the zippers contains excess levels of lead.
Sold: Slipcovers recalled due to choking hazard were sold at discount department stores nationwide from July 2006 through September 2007 for about $16. Slipcovers recalled due to lead paint were sold at discount department stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for between $15 and $17.
Made in: China
Importer: The Boppy Company, of Golden, Colo.
Contact: The Boppy Company at (888) 713-3916 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.boppy.com

Children's jewelry recalled because of lead
Rachel Rose and Distinctly Basics assorted children’s jewelry
How many: 205,000
Description: The jewelry was sold under the Rachel Rose and Distinctly Basics brands and includes key rings and pins with religious themes; key rings with "Mom" and cheerleader charms; bracelets with charms like handbags, flip flops, hearts, dresses, and flowers; silver-colored rings with designs or stones in a variety of colors; hoop earrings with decorations such as butterflies; and filigree and long drop earrings with stones in a variety of colors. A complete list of the recalled jewelry can be found at www.familydollar.com
Sold at: Family Dollar stores nationwide from January 2003 through August 2007 for between $.50 and $2.
Made in: China
Manufacturer: Family Dollar Stores, of Charlotte, N.C.
Contact: Family Dollar at (800) 547-0359 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.familydollar.com

Crystal Innovations jewelry
How many: 200,000
Description: The recalled items are various metal jewelry components. Check the recall notice for the SKU numbers, which can be located on the products’ packaging above the barcode.
Sold at: Michaels Stores nationwide from April 2006 to September 2007 for about $5.
Made in: China
Distributor: Pure Allure, of Oceanside, Calif
Contact: Pure Allure at (800) 536-6312 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; visit the firm’s Web site at www.pureallure.com/recall or e-mail the firm at info@pureallure.com.

Decorative stretchable Aqua bracelets
How many: 45,000
Description: Bracelets are stretchable, with silver-colored square links and aqua-colored beads. SKU#5384706813 is printed on the packaging.
Sold at: Various dollar stores, liquidators and schools as part of fundraising, nationwide from September 2003 through April 2007 for between $1 and $12.
Made in: China
Importer: Cherrydale Fundraising, of Allentown, Pa.
Contact: Cherrydale Fundraising at (800) 333-2565 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.cherrydale.com

Sparkle City charm bracelets and tack pin sets
How many: 43,000
Description: The charm bracelets have silver-colored star and butterfly charms, and clear and pink beads that hang from a silver-colored chain. The tack pins are silver butterflies or stars with clear and pink beads.
Sold at: Big Lots stores nationwide from August 2005 through April 2007 for about $1.
Made in: China
Importer: Buy-Rite Designs Inc., of Freehold, NJ
Contact: Buy-Rite at (888) 777-7952 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.buyriteinc.com

Children’s metal necklaces and bracelets
How many: 10,400 (Top photo)
Description: The metal necklaces and bracelets have silver-colored charms. Some also have colored beads. “Awesome Boutique” or “Share the Love” is printed on some of the jewelry’s packaging. The jewelry includes a necklace with a metal flower-shaped charm that hangs from a pink cord, a metal heart charm bracelet, a metal heart angel charm bracelet with colored beads, a metal bracelet with four heart charms and ruby-colored beads, necklaces with painted hearts that hang from a cord, and necklaces with tiny purses in various colors.
Sold at: Various discount and dollar stores nationwide from January 2005 through June 2007 for about $1.
Made in: China
Manufacturer: Colossal Jewelry & Accessories Inc., of Maywood, N.J.
Contact: Colossal Jewelry & Accessories at (888) 808-5093 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or e-mail the firm at colosssaljewelry@comcast.net

La Femme NY children’s necklace and earring sets
How many: 4,500
Description: Necklace and earring sets have a silver metal chain and a round pendant with a light blue jewel and three jeweled dangling charms.
Sold at: Various dollar stores nationwide from October 2005 to April 2007 for about $1.
Made in: China
Manufacturer: La Femme NY 2 Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Contact: La Femme NY 2 Inc. at (866) 667-5369 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.lafemmeny.com or e-mail the firm at corp@lafemmeny.net

School supplies recalled for lead
Children’s pencil pouches
How many: 84,200
Description: “Stuff Keepers” pencil pouches and “Bear Pencil Pouches.” The “Stuff Keepers” pencil pouches are clear vinyl, measure 9 inches by 6 inches, and have a green, orange, pink or blue-colored zipper. Style number 63525 is printed on the packaging. The “Bear Pencil Pouches” have soft fabric with a stuffed bear face, and measure 9 inches by 3 inches. Style number 67221 is printed on the packaging.
Reason: The paint on the pencil pouches’ zipper pulls contains excessive levels of lead.
Sold at: School supply distributors in schools nationwide from September 1997 through October 2007 for between 50 cents and $2.
Made in: China
Distributor: Raymond Geddes & Co., of Baltimore, Md
Contact: Raymond Geddes & Co. at (800) 533-6273, Ext. 1124 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.raymondgeddes.com/psa.html, or email the firm at consumeraffairs@raymondgeddes.com

Shaving paint brushes
How many: 20,000
Description: A set of six “shaving-style” brushes, which are about 4-inches long. The brushes’ handles are painted blue, purple, orange, yellow, lime green, and pink. The item number #SHVBRSH is printed on the product’s packaging. Brush sets with handles in brown, dark blue, red, green, blue, and black are not included in this recall. The recalled brushes were also included with the “BioColor Foam Paint Starter Kit” and “Colorations Foam Paint Starter Kit.”
Reason: Surface paint on the brush handles can contain excessive levels of lead.
Sold at: Discount School Supply’s catalog and Web site from May 2004 through August 2007 for about $5. The BioColor kits were sold from May 2004 through June 2006 for about $60. The Colorations kits were sold from July 2006 through August 2007 for about $60.
Made in: China
Importer: Discount School Supply, of Monterey, Calif.
Contact: Discount School Supply at (800) 293-9314 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; visit the firm’s Web site at www.discountschoolsupply.com or e-mail the firm at brushrecall@discountschoolsupply.com

Pacifiers a choking hazard
Flashing Pacifiers or 2-in-1 Flashing Pacifiers with Whistle necklaces
How many: 8,000
Description: Pacifier necklace has a 28-inch multicolored cord with a 3- inch plastic pacifier that comes in assorted colors. A hole at the tip of the nipple is used as a blow hole for the whistle. The pacifier handle operates as the on-off button for the flashing light on both pacifiers. “Flashing Pacifier” or “2-in-1 Flashing Pacifier with Whistle Necklace” is printed on the packaging of the pacifiers.
Reason: The nipple can detach from the base, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Sold at: Various retail stores nationwide during the month of June 2007 for about $5 per dozen.
Made in: China
Importer/Wholesaler: Sailing (U.S.) International Corp., of Hackensack, N.J.
Contact: Sailing (U.S.) International Corp. at (800) 643-6134 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.sailingusintl.com

States step in to get the lead out

Yesterday, California Attorney General Edmund Brown and Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo filed suit against 20 companies for manufacturing and selling toys with “unlawful quantities of lead.”   The suits allege that the companies knowingly exposed individuals to lead and failed to provide warnings about this risk.  Under California’s Proposition 65, businesses cannot expose individuals to hazardous chemicals without posting a clear warning.

The companies named in the lawsuit included Mattel, Fisher-Price, Michaels Stores, Toys 'R' Us, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, KB Toys, Costco Wholesale, A&A Global Industries, RC2 Corporation, Eveready Battery Company, Kids II, Kmart, Marvel Entertainment and Toy Investments.  Businesses that violate Proposition 65 are subject to civil penalties of up to $2,500 per day for each violation.  Yesterday’s lawsuit seeks to remedy past violations and prompt manufacturers and retailers to establish processes that prevent toys with lead from being sold in the future.

Illinois is also taking on the issue.  A law recently passed in that state forbids the sale of children’s products with more than 600 parts per million total lead.  Although this limit is the same as the federal standard for lead in paint, the Illinois law is broader since it also applies to plastics, metals and any other materials used in children’s products.

Sunday’s Chicago Tribune reported on their extensive tests conducted on lead in toys.  Of the 800 toys tested, 12 failed federal standards and another 9 failed Illinois standards.  Several of the products were pulled off store shelves after retailers learned of the Tribune’s test results. And the newspaper reported today that all 21 tainted products are now the subject of an investigation by State Attorney General Lisa Madigan who has a reputation for strict enforcement of Illinois’ lead laws. 

According to the Tribune article Sunday, a spokesperson from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said that their federal agency “would rather have one U.S. law for lead in toys as opposed to the current patchwork of federal and state rules.”  But states can take steps that raise the public health and safety bar, and should always be allowed to do so. For example, California and Illinois laws on lead are more comprehensive than the federal laws. States are taking matters into their own hands while the CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord opposes legislation that would, among other things, strengthen federal regulations for lead in all children’s products.

In response to strong state laws, industry efforts have geared up to ensure that federal regulation would thwart state laws.  That might be good for business but it's bad for states whose citizens feel their tax dollars should pay for a high level of consumer protection.    

While only two states are flexing their muscle on the lead in toys issue, consumers in the other 48 states may wind up reaping the benefits.  Major retailers may find logistic problems in not being able to sell the same merchandise in all the states in which they do business.  If companies have to sort out what products can and can't be sold in California and  Illinois, they might just end up crossing them off the entire country's list altogether.
—Don Mays 

   

Feast your eyes on these safe turkey-prep tips

A video from our testing labs shows how quickly Thanksgiving plans can go up in flames when things go awry with a propane-powered deep fryer. As we reported around this time last year, Underwriters Laboratories has refused to put its UL mark on any propane fryer to certify its safety—a rare move for the nonprofit safety testing organization that certifies almost every kind of electrical or gas-powered product sold in the U.S. "Based on our test findings, the fryers used to produce those great-tasting birds are not worth the risks," says John Drengenberg, UL consumer affairs manager.

The dangers are many. Units can easily tip over, spilling the hot oil. Oil that sometimes overflows when a turkey is placed in the pot can hit the burner and burst into flames. The units have no thermostat controls and the sides, lid and handles can get very hot posing burn hazards.

A few years ago, we tested one of the electric fryers on the market, and it proved safer than propane models. The deep-fryer—designed strictly for indoor use—cooks a turkey up to 14 pounds.  And it has some safety features including a built-in safety switch, a temperature sensor, an outer shield and six legs to  give it more stability.

While such Food Network favorites as Paula Deen and Alton Brown feature recipes for deep-fried turkey, if you are tempted to try it this year with a propane fryer, do so with extreme caution and constant vigilance.  Check out these safety tips from UL.

No matter how you plan to cook your turkey, take the time to review Let's Talk Turkey, safety tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Some of their advice has changed. For example, the USDA recommends against washing a turkey before cooking it and says doing so can actually spread bacteria to other foods and utensils and surfaces. Another change is in testing the turkey for doneness. The USDA says a turkey is safe when all of it is cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. (Previously, the agency recommended different temperatures for various parts of the bird.) And don't rely on a pop-up thermometer—check the temperature yourself with a reliable meat thermometer. 

12 toy shopping tips for a safer holiday

If you are left feeling a bit scared and confused shopping for children this holiday season, you are not alone. So far this year there have been tens of millions of toys recalled due to lead paint, small magnets, or toxic chemicals.   

Consumers Union has 12 shopping tips that will help families enjoy a safe and merry holiday:    

1. Do not buy metal jewelry — especially cheap metal jewelry — for young children.  About 20 percent of children’s metal jewelry has high levels of lead lurking beneath the surface coating.  A child who mouths or accidentally swallows a piece of lead-laden jewelry can suffer lead poisoning.
2. You can test toys for lead by using a home lead test kit.  Although they are not always accurate, a positive test result indicates a high likelihood that the product you’re testing has lead.  Consumer Reports recommends the Lead Check and the Lead Inspector, which performed best in our tests.
3. Be careful of toys with magnets.  Many toys have small magnets that can fall out and, if swallowed, can cause serious health problems that are hard to diagnose.  Don’t buy toys with magnetic parts that are small enough to be swallowed. 
4. If you find loose, small magnets anywhere around the house, track down the source.  Immediately take the product and any of its other magnetic components away from your child and contact the manufacturer and the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.
5. Avoid no-name products and be careful of toys purchased at dollar stores, street fairs, vending machines, thrift stores, or yard sales.
6. When purchasing arts and crafts materials, stay away from permanent paints and markers. Look for water-based paints and glues.  For a child under three years old, purchase age-appropriate material that your child can’t swallow rather than small foam pieces or small pom-pom balls.
7. Look for the age grading on toy packages and purchase only age-appropriate toys for your child.  The age grading not only relates to play value but also to safety.
8. Some toys may be inappropriate for your toddlers and babies.  Toys labeled for children 3 and over may have small parts that can be a choking hazard for children under 3 years old.  If you have children under 3 don’t buy a toy with this warning label.
9. Do your own safety check to determine if your child’s toys are choking hazards for young children.  If his or her toy fits through a toilet-paper tube, it is a potential choking hazard. The government-approved test for choking hazards is done with a smaller tube. The more stringent toilet-paper tube test helps you keep questionable toys out of your child’s hands and mouth.
10. Beware of toys that can be broken into smaller pieces such as chalk, crayons, or caps from markers.  They can pose choking hazards to toddlers and babies.
11. Small balls, tricycles, and balloons are the leading causes of death attributed to toys.  Balls smaller than 1-3/4 inches in diameter can pose a choking hazard to young children.  Balloons were associated with more than 110 deaths since 1973.  Children can suffocate while trying to blow up a balloon or while chewing on or sucking a balloon.
12. Before you shop, check recent toy recalls at www.recalls.gov and at www.notinmycart.org. You can also sign up for automatic recall notifications at www.cpsc.gov.

Chemical substitutions jeopardize safety

Last week's recall of 4.2 million Aqua Dots rang the alarm bell again for the toy industry. After promising that this would be the safest holiday season ever, the industry is once again licking its wounds.  This time it wasn't lead paint or tiny magnets; it was a hazardous chemical that can form into GHB, the "date rape drug," if ingested. 

The highly-promoted Aqua Dots promised to be one of this holiday season's hottest toys.  So how could it happen that this mainstream toy could cause such serious health effects?  The answer: unscrupulous business practices and the lack of vigilance to detect them.

The glue on Aqua Dots beads was supposed to contain the chemical compound 1,5-pentanediol.  But the products that made at least nine children seriously sick had 1,4-butanediol, a similar but hazardous substitute.  According to the New York Times, the cost of the substituted chemical was less than one-third that of the chemical that was supposed to be used.

But this is the same story we've seen with other products.  Chemical substitutions in Chinese-made products have rocked the product safety world this year.  It started with melamine in pet food, an ingredient used in fertilizer that gave the pet food artificially high protein readings.  Then it was diethlyene glycol, a component of antifreeze, used in toothpaste as a substitute for its more expensive cousin, glycerin.  And then it was the lead paint that was used in toy factories that was labeled as lead-free.    

Chemical substitutions in products are not only jeopardizing our safety but tarnishing venerable brand names in the American marketplace.  We doubt that the manufacturers of these products were aware of the surreptitious substitutions made at the factories they hired to produce their products. The problem calls for constant vigilance: better quality control and continuous testing to ensure that each and every batch of products made meets manufacturing specifications and all of our recognized safety standards.  And our government watchdog agencies need to ensure that the testing is being done, and done correctly.

All that testing may result in slightly higher prices for the products, but parents, pet owners and other consumers likely would be glad to pay the higher costs for the peace-of-mind of knowing that their purchases were safe. On top of that, maybe the appeal of outsourcing manufacturing to foreign factories would become less financially attractive once the true cost of producing safe products is factored in.

—Don Mays      

Child's storage rack recalled after death of 8-month-old

A colorful children's storage rack sold at Wal-Mart and Ollie's was recalled today by the manufacturer, Jetmax International, after the death of an 8-month-old boy who was asphyxiated after he pulled on the storage rack and it fell over on him. The top rail landed on the infant’s neck. No other incidents have been reported.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said 36,000 racks have been recalled. They were sold nationwide at Wal-Mart stores from August 2004 through July 2005 and at Ollie’s stores from July 2006 through June 2007 for about $40. At Wal-Mart, the racks were sold under the name “Home Trend Kids 9 Canvas Bin Boy’s and Girl’s Organizers.” The wooden rack has three levels and nine removable canvas totes. There are wooden handles on each side of the rack. The rack for boys is natural color wood with red, yellow, green, and navy canvas totes. The girl’s storage rack is white colored wood with pink, yellow, lime, and purple canvas totes.

Child fatalities associated with furniture stability are continuing to increase, says Don Mays, Senior Director of Product Safety Planning at Consumers Union. "The current industry safety standard for furniture tip-over is weak and doesn’t address storage racks in its scope," he says. Consumers Union has been pushing hard for the past 2-1/2 years to strengthen the industry standard, but it may take legislation to get the job done.

The CPSC said consumers should immediately stop children from using the recalled racks and contact Jetmax International to receive a free repair kit that adds stability to the base at (800) 689-2168 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT. Or visit the firm’s Web site at www.jlwoodenmfg.com, or email info@jlwoodenmfg.com. On its Web site, Jetmax promises the repair kit will be delivered in two to three weeks.

ATV accidents continue to climb

Sometimes we sound like a broken record — usually when a product's hazards are so serious and so persistent that we have no choice but to keep writing about them. And so here we are again talking about all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), after a new study by the West Virginia University Injury Control Research Center offered fresh evidence of their dangers.

According to a five-year study comparing the prevalence of ATV and bicycle crashes from 2000 through 2004, hospitalizations from ATV incidents are growing at a markedly higher rate than those caused by bicycle injuries even though there are far more bicycle owners (100 million compared to 7 million ATV owners). And although there are still significantly more bike incidents than ATV mishaps, the numbers are narrowing, particularly for riders 16 and older (labeled as adults in the study).
    Here are some findings from the study to consider:

• The estimated number of deaths associated with ATVs has risen nearly 180 percent from 276 deaths in 1995 to 767 in 2004, the most recent year that fatality data was available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Estimated non-fatal injuries requiring a trip to the emergency room rose more than 150 percent from 53,600 visits in 1996 to 136,700 visits in 2005.
• Children under 16 years of age accounted for about one-quarter of the deaths and one-third of the injuries.    
• Among children, girls accounted for 26 percent of hospitalizations for ATV injuries and 22 percent of bike injuries. Among adults, females accounted for 17 percent of ATV hospitalizations and 22 percent of  bicycle injury hospitalizations.
• The average cost of each ATV-related hospitalization was $21,304 compared to $16,478 for bicycle-related hospitalizations.

The study was funded by the Concerned Families for ATV Safety and the Arabella Legacy Fund, a private charitable organization that also supports the Responsible Trails Alliance. Both groups have been pushing for greater federal regulation of ATVs. The study’s author, James Helmkamp, director of the  West Virginia University Injury Control Research Center, said that he conducted the research independent of the funding. The study’s intent, he said, "was to raise awareness and encourage more federal participation in the regulation of ATVs, particularly among children."

As anyone who has followed this issue knows, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been studying ATVs for years. And it is still studying ATVs. CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said that the staff is scheduled to summarize its most recent findings in December.

We eagerly await those findings and the agency’s next step. We also await  further commission action on the Kazuma Meerkat 50 Youth ATV. Last summer, the  CPSC issued a warning about that ATV noting it lacked front brakes, had no parking brake and could be started in gear. The agency said it couldn’t recall the bike because it lacked a quorum and therefore couldn’t recall any product unless the company cooperated. But Congress reinstated the CPSC’s quorum in August.  So far, however, there’s been no official recall of the Meerkat 50.

Related reading: Recent ATV recalls
ATVs Recalled By KTM North America Due to Brake Failure
Ohalee Inc. Recalls Youth All-Terrain Vehicles Due to Mechanical Hazards
ATVs Recalled by Polaris Industries Inc. Due to Fire Hazard
Polaris Recalls Select Hawkeye Model ATVs for Steering Post Failure Hazard
Polaris Recalls Select Hawkeye Model ATVs due to Loss of Control Hazard; Three Crashes Reported
Stateside Powersports Recalls to Repair 90cc Youth Model ATVs
Arctic Cat Recalls Model Year 2007 90cc Youth Model ATVs
Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA Recalls ATV for Loss of Steering Control Hazard

Lower fire fatality numbers provide little comfort

Thanks to smoke detectors, sprinklers, better construction and stronger fire codes, the U.S. has made great strides in reducing fire fatalities. In 1974, there were about 12,000 fire fatalities annually. Thirty years later, the number of victims totaled about 3,900, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) in its latest analysis of fire statistics. (Some of the decline may also be attributed to the fewer number of smokers as smoking contributes to 20 percent of household fires.)

Yet despite the encouraging news, the USFA says "the United States has a severe fire problem, more so than is generally perceived." In fact, the report notes, deaths and injuries from fires far outnumber those from all natural disasters combined (floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc). That's 4,000 deaths annually from fires compared to 200 to 250 per year from disasters. What's more, even though the rate of 13.6 deaths per million population is half what it was in the late 1970s€š it is still almost two-and-a-half times that of several European nations. In fact, of 25 industrial nations examined by the World Fire Statistics Centre, the U.S. ranks fourth highest in fire death rates, USFA says.

The problem, USFA says, is in the home. The largest percentage of deaths,€š 76 percent in 2004,€š occurred in residences, with the majority in one and two-family dwellings. Cooking was the leading cause of fires, accounting for 28 percent, with incendiary and suspicious fires (arson) the second leading cause, accounting for 21 percent. Arson, however, accounts for 28 percent of the deaths, with smoking-related fires the second leading cause at 18 percent. Cooking fires comprise only 6.3 percent of deaths.

Other interesting data from the report:

• There is a surprisingly large number of vehicle fires,€š nearly one out of every five fires to which fire departments respond.
• The Southeast continues to have the highest fire death rate in the nation and one of the highest in the world.
• African Americans have much higher fire death rate per capita than the national average, accounting for 24 percent of fire deaths, nearly twice as high as their share of the overall population.
• Approximately 50 percent more men die in fires than women. One reason may be that men are more likely to be in dangerous occupations (most industrial fire fatalities are males). Men also suffer more injuries trying to extinguish fires and rescue people.

One thing is clear: It's better to take precautions. To lower the chances of a fire in your home follow this safety checklist from the National Fire Protection Association.

• Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every level of your home.
• Keep the furnace in working order.
• Use a fireplace screen.
• Have proper ventilation for heaters and other small appliances.
• Do not smoke in bed.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Use the correct size fuses.
• Don't use worn out electrical wiring or run it under rugs or out windows or doors.
• Clear away refuse; the less clutter, the less fuel a fire has to feed on.

Recall reminders: Curious George dolls added to the list

Curious George dolls have been added to what has been a dizzying week of toy recalls. While the 175,000 Curious George dolls sold with story books were recalled because of lead paint, two of the week's largest recalls, Aqua Dots and a Laugh & Learn kitchen toy, were recalled for other hazards. Some of the 4.2 million Aqua Dots craft kits were found to be contaminated with a chemical related to GHB, the banned date rape drug, which caused children to become comatose. And the Fisher-Price kitchens were recalled after several small children choked or gagged on small pieces that broke off. A third non-lead related action involved 31,000 slingshot pool toys recalled after five children cut their hands using them.

The Curious George recall involves five plush dolls — four with plastic faces and one with a soft face — in which the face, the hat or both are covered with paint containing lead. Several soft-face versions of the doll, made by Marvel Toys, are not affected by the recall. On its Web site, Toys 'R' Us, one of the retailers that sold the doll, shows which dolls are and are not affected.

Made in China, the dolls were sold at toy and discount department stores nationwide from December 2005 through August 2007 for about $15. Marvel Toys is offering consumers a full refund and can be contacted at (800) 352-2064 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.regcen.com/curiousgeorge

Also recalled this week because of lead were collectible tin toys including not only a Winnie-the-Pooh pail and top but a robot, wind-up duck family and a music box. Toy cars were recalled by two different companies and a pair of children's sunglasses is also on the list. Here is a full list of this week's toy recalls.

• Marvel Toys Curious George plush dolls (175,000)
• Dollar General Children’s fashion sunglasses (51,000)
• Aqua Dots craft kits (4.2 million)
• Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn kitchen toy (155,000)
• Swimways “Skippy” pool toys (31,000)
• Dollar General pull-back action toy cars (380,000)
• International Sourcing dragster and funny cars (7,500)
• Northern Tool & Equipment “Big Red” wagons (7,200)
• Schylling “Robot 2000” collectible tin robot (2,600)
• Schylling tin pails and spinning tops (3,600 plus 66,000 recalled earlier)
• Schylling duck family collectible wind-up toy (3,500)
• Schylling Dizzy Ducks music box (1,300)

Please note: Crib recall
Also recalled this week, were 8,900 Wendy Bellissimo Collection convertible cribs made by Bassettbaby, of Bassett, Va. The bolts connecting the top corners of the crib can come loose, creating a gap and posing a serious entrapment and strangulation hazard. Bassettbaby has received 85 reports of bolts loosening, including one report of a 13 month-old child's hand becoming entrapped between the railings. The cribs were sold at Babies 'R' Us stores nationwide from July 2005 through October 2007 for about $500. Consumers should stop using the cribs immediately and contact Bassettbaby for a free repair kit at (888) 897-4689 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET daily, or visit the firm's Web site at www.bassettbaby.com.

4.2 million Aqua Dots sets recalled after children become comatose

Following reports that two children had become comatose after swallowing beads from Aqua Dots craft kits, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 4.2 million sets of the small colored beads. Made in China for the Canadian company, Spin Master, the craft kits feature beads that fuse together when sprayed with water. The CPSC said that the coating on the beads that causes them to stick together contains a chemical that can turn toxic when ingested.

The CPSC has received two reports over the past several days of children swallowing Aqua Dots. A 20-month-old child swallowed several dozen beads. He became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state for a period of time, was hospitalized, and has since fully recovered. A second child also vomited and slipped into a comatose state and was hospitalized for five days.

The recall applies to all models of Aqua Dots, also sold as Aqua Beads. The product was sold in various different kits with accessories such as a drying fan, applicator pen, design templates for the beads, and spray bottle. The product was labeled for children age four and older. The beads were sold at large walk-in and online retailers nationwide from April 2007 through November 2007 for between $17 and $30.

Parents are advised to not only take the beads away from children but to search for any stray beads and discard them too. CPSC’s Julie Vallese says,  "Parents should take this very seriously. The consequences to children who ingest these beads is very serious."

According to an article in the New York Times, similar cases have been reported in Australia where the beads were sold as Bindeez, and where they have also been recalled. A doctor there identified the offending chemical as one related to GHB, the banned date rape drug.

Spin Master is offering consumers replacement beads or a toy of equal value and can be contacted at (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or through the firm’s Web site at www.aquadotsrecall.com.

Collectibles among today's recalls for lead

In the latest flurry of recalls of toys tainted with lead, the Consumer Product Safety Commission today recalled four items from a company that sells tin toys and other collectibles as well as 380,000 pull-back cars sold at dollar stores, a red wagon and a toy dragster. Schylling Associates, a company based in  Rowley, Mass. expanded its recall of tin tops and pails issued this summer while also recalling a tin robot, wind-up duck family and a wooden music box — all because of lead paint. The tops were sold four years ago. Details of today's recalls follow. Click on the title links for refund information and more photos.

3,600 Winnie-the-Pooh spinning tops

• Earlier recall of 66,000 tops and pails

3,500 Duck family collectible wind-up toys
2,600 “Robot 2000” collectible tin robots
1,300 Dizzy Ducks music boxes
Description: Lead paint was found on the wooden handle of the Winnie-the-Pooh top,  on the surface of the tin duck and robot toys and  on the wooden base of the music box.
Sold by: Specialty toy stores and gift shops nationwide in the following time frames. Tops: from April 2003 through November 2003 for about $12. Robots: from October 2006 through September 2007 for about $25. Duck pull-toys: from January 2007 through August 2007 for about $8. Music boxes: from March 2007 through October 2007 for about $12.
Made in: China
Importer: Schylling Associates Inc., of Rowley, Mass.
Contact: Schylling at (800) 767-8697 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.schylling.com

Pull-back action toy cars
How many: 380,000
Description: Two styles of “pull and release” toy cars, including a four pack of Super Wheels (UPC #400016576344) and a two pack of Super Racer cars (UPC # 883788965002).
Reason: Surface paint on the cars contains excessive levels of lead.
Sold by: Dollar General stores nationwide from April 2007 through October 2007 for about $1 per pack.
Made in: China
Importer: Dollar General Merchandising Inc., of Goodlettsville, Tenn.
Contact: Dollar General at (800) 678-9258 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.dollargeneral.com

“Big Red” wagons
How many: 7,200
Description: Wagon has a red painted, steel deck with removable wooden sides. The wheels have ball bearings and air-filled tires.
Reason: Surface paints on the wagon and handle contain excessive levels of lead.
Sold by: Northern Tool & Equipment catalog, Web site, and retail stores nationwide from July 2007 through September 2007 for about $60.
Made in: China
Importer: Northern Tool & Equipment Co., of Burnsville, Minn.
Contact: Northern Tool & Equipment Co. at (800) 222-5381 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.northerntool.com.

Dragster and funny car toys
How many: 7,500
Description: Plastic models of a dragster and funny car. The dragster is approximately 22 inches long, black in color with various sponsor decals. The funny car is approximately 14 inches long and is also black. Both models have the ISL logo imprinted on the underside.
Reason: Surface paint on the wheels and engine of the toys contains excessive levels of lead.
Sold by: National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events through Schumacher Racing, and Matco Tools through door-to-door sales by its representatives from March 2007 through September 2007.
Made in: China
Importer: International Sourcing Ltd (ISL), of Springfield, Mo.
Contact: International Sourcing Ltd at (877) 404-1584 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.islpromotions.com.

Bike-related injuries common cause of trip to ER

Bikes and kids are a natural and winning combination. But all too often, that combination can result in injuries, as some of us know all too well.

Of all recreational sports, bicycle-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits for children. Now, a new study shows just how significant those injuries may be when a child or adolescent has to be hospitalized from a bike accident.

According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, about 10,700 children and adolescents, ages 20 and younger, were hospitalized for bicycle-related injuries in the U.S. in 2003, the most recent year for which these statistics are available. The average length of stay was three days and the cost of inpatient hospital care totaled nearly $200 million.  Nearly three quarters of the patients were male and almost all lived in urban areas. The rate of injury was greatest for boys ages 10 to 13. The study was published in the October issue of Injury Prevention.

That's not too surprising to some of us. Just listen to Don Mays, who contributes to this blog, tell his tale of delivering newspapers when he was about 11. "My pant leg got caught in the chain. I took a hard fall and knocked myself out. I had a severe concussion and wound up spending two days in the hospital." Of course, that was before the time when bike helmets were common. Today, he says, "I wouldn't dare venture out without a helmet." Nor would his 9-year-old daughter who just survived a bad tumble unhurt thanks to her helmet. The helmet cracked but she emerged without a scratch.

Perhaps the most significant finding in the recent study was the fact that motor vehicles were involved in approximately 30 percent of bicycle-related hospitalizations. And not surprisingly, motor vehicle accidents increased with the age of the patient. Motor vehicle involvement was as low as 20 percent in incidents involving children under two and double that for adolescents 18 to 20.

One-third of children hospitalized for bicycle-related injuries were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. Pediatrician Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy, said that finding was significant because it suggested that injuries could be reduced if there was greater helmet use. Two lessons, he said, should be taken from this study:

• Given the rate of motor-vehicle related injuries, cities should do more to build and encourage the use of bike paths to avoid mixing bikes with motor traffic.
• Given the number of brain injuries, more attention should be focused on promoting helmet use. “Helmet use across the country is dismal,” Smith said. Pointing to studies showing helmets can reduce brain injuries by 85 percent, Smith said: “There are three things a child can do to prevent an injury when riding a bike: wear a helmet, wear a helmet and wear a helmet.”

Consumer Reports rated bicycle helmets in a recent report and included information to help riders learn how to fit a helmet for maximum protection.

Related reading: Recent recalls
While the study above does not mention bike mishaps caused by faulty parts or poorly assembled bikes, it is good to be aware of safety issues and recalls when you are buying a bike. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently made a number of recalls of bikes and bike parts.

• Reynolds UL bicycle forks
• Procycle Rocky Mountain-Solo bicycles
• 2007 Huffy “Howler” and “Highland” bicycles
• Formula Brake Oro bicycle disc brakes
• REI Novara Afterburner Trailer bicycles

Choking incidents prompt recall of Fisher-Price kitchen toy

After getting reports of children choking and gagging on small parts, Fisher-Price recalled 155,000 of its Laugh & Learn kitchen toy. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there have been 48 reports of small parts separating from the toys, including two reports of children gagging on pieces, one report of a child who started choking on a piece and one report of a child who choked on a piece.

The recall involves a play kitchen with a refrigerator, range and sink and other features. Small pieces of the kitchen's clock and faucet can break off posing a choking hazard. Made in Mexico, the set was sold at retail and toy specialty stores nationwide from May 2007 through October 2007 for about $70. The product’s item number L5067 is stamped in several locations on the toy and printed on the product’s packaging above the UPC.

Parents should take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price for the repair kit being offered. Call toll-free at (888) 812-7187 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com.

This is not the first toy from the Laugh & Learn series that Fisher-Price has recalled. In February, it recalled 500,000 musical bunnies because the pom-pom noses could detach and cause a choking hazard. And in January 2006, the CPSC recalled 614,000 musical chairs after reports of three children getting their heads lodged between the seatback and a side table. The Laugh & Learn toys are in the "Infant toys" section of Mattel's Web site featuring toys for children 36 months and younger.

Second recall of air pump exposes flaws in the tracking of faulty products

We have often expressed concern about the effectiveness of product recalls. We know from sad, past experience that all too often recalled products remain in homes, in garages, and on store shelves. If consumers are not clicking on, reading, watching or listening to the right news at the right time, they may never get the word of a recall that could affect them directly.

We need no further proof of this problem than the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s “re-announcement” recently of a previous recall initially made in January.  The recall involves 11,000 Inflator Air Pumps made by Sportsstuff (the same company that brought you the dangerous Wego Kite Tube that was withdrawn from the market in 2006 after reports of two deaths and dozens of injuries).

The air pumps—sold separately for $50 or as part of Sportstuff’s inflatable water trampoline called Launch Pod for $375—were recalled on January 11 after reports that they could overheat and explode during use.

Unfortunately, since the first recall announcement, 16 additional explosions have been reported with 10 consumers suffering lacerations, including two who required stitches.

This is not the first time that the CPSC has had to re-announce a recall. Two other major recalls this year were also re-announcements of earlier recalls: the Simplicity crib and the Easy Bake oven. Clearly this suggests a problem in the way recalls are announced and publicized.  We've long been in favor of a product registration system that would allow manufacturers to directly contact owners of recalled products as opposed to relying on the media to publicize the recall.  We also think that the CPSC should track and report the consumer response rate for each recall they issue.  A poor response rate should prompt a stronger effort to alert consumers about hazardous products.

As for the air pump, CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese says, "It’s quite unfortunate that there were additional incidents when the agency sought to remove the product from the marketplace. We know that there are people who have the products who need to take the message seriously and stop using the pumps." Sportstuff is offering free replacements.

For more information consumers should contact Sportsstuff at (888) 814-8833 or visit www.sportsstuff.com and search on "recall."

Check your freezers: One million pounds of supermarket beef recalled

The Cargill Meat Solutions company recalled more than one million pounds of ground beef Saturday because of possible E. coli contamination just five weeks after another huge beef recall by the Topps Meat Company for the same reason. The recall involves various weights and varieties of ground beef sold under such supermarket labels as Century Farm, Giant, Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Wegman's and Weis. The recall also involves several meatloaf mixes of beef, pork and veal. Cargill has a full list of brands on its Web site.

Each package or label bears the establishment number EST 9400 inside the USDA mark of inspection. Because the use/freeze-by dates for the recalled products have expired, consumers are urged to look in their freezers for these products and, if found, discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

The ground beef products were produced at the company's Wyalusing, PA plant between Oct. 8 and 11 and were distributed to retailers in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Cargill learned of the possibile contamination by E. coli after the U.S. Department of Agriculture returned a confirmed positive on a sample of meat produced Oct. 8. “No illnesses have been associated with this product,” said John Keating, president, Cargill Regional Beef. “We are working closely with the USDA to remove the product from the marketplace.”

Beginning in August, at least 27 people in eight states were sickened after reportedly eating meat produced by Topps Meat in New Jersey causing the company to recall 21.7 million pounds of beef and, soon after, to close its doors. That recall involved beef, mostly frozen hamburger patties, manufactured over the last year and bearing a “sell by” or “best used” date between Sept. 25, 2007 and Sept. 25, 2008 along with the USDA designation EST 9748.

E. coli O157:H7, the strain identified, is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Consumers with questions about the Cargill recall can contact the company’s food safety line at 877-455-1034.

As we emphasized earlier, such recalls have caused Consumers Union to reiterate its call for the creation of a single agency to ensure the safety of the nation's food supply. CU, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, also calls for mandatory recall authority for both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), power that is currently lacking.

Millions of Totino's and Jeno's pizzas recalled due to E. coli fears

General Mills announced the recall of 5 million frozen pizzas sold under the Jeno's and Totino's labels because of possible contamination of the pepperoni topping with E. coli. The recall includes six varieties of Totino's pizza and three kinds of Jeno's pies, all with pepperoni toppings. The company is asking consumers to search their freezers for the pizzas and discard them and has directed stores to remove them from their freezers.

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA, the recall follows a multi-state outbreak in which 21 illnesses were reported in 10 states: Illinois (1), Kentucky (3), Missouri (2), New York (2), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (8), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (1). Half of the individuals who became ill were hospitalized as a result. The onset of symptoms ranged between July 20 and Oct. 10. No deaths have been reported and various state and federal health agencies are continuing to investigate.

E. coli O157:H7m, the strain involved, is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration.  Seniors, the very young, and persons with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to foodborne illness.

The frozen pizzas were produced in the company’s Wellston, Ohio, plant and sold nationwide. General Mills said the pepperoni came from a supplier. Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 7750" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a "best if used by" date on or before "02 APR 08 WS." The following products are subject to the recall: 

• 10.2-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza Pepperoni."
• 10.2-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Classic Pepperoni."
• 10.2-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Pepperoni Trio."
• 10.7-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Combination Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza."
• 10.5-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Three Meat Sausage, Canadian Style Bacon & Pepperoni Pizza."
• 10.9-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Supreme Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza with Green Peppers & Onions."
• 6.8-ounce packages of "Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pizza, Pepperoni."
• 7.0-ounce packages of "Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pizza, Combination Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza."
• 7.2-ounce packages of "Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pizza, Supreme Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza with Green Peppers and Onions."

Consumers can contact Totino’s  or Jeno’s for product replacement by clipping the UPC (bar code) symbol from each pizza box and sending the UPC's, along with their name and address to:
    Totino's / Jeno’s
    P.O. Box 200 - Pizza
    Minneapolis, MN  55440-0200

The product itself should be thrown away.  Consumers with additional questions about the recall can contact the company at (800) 949-9055.