Similarily, the company Maclaren recalled their strollers in November 2009 after finger tip amputations in the hinges when opening and closing the stroller.
For more information please call 1-877 MESSALAW.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
One Million Graco Strollers are Recalled after Amputations of Kids’ Fingertips
After two months of Graco Children’s Products recalling certain models of the Passage, Alano, and Spreee Strollers due to young children’s fingers being lopped off, 1.5 million strollers are being recalled for related reasons.
A total of five children had their finger tips cut off due to whenever the stroller’s canopy would be opened or closed reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Parents who do own the strollers have been informed to not use the strollers until they have received a repair kit from Gracco. Also it is suggested to visit the Gracco site to view the two types of hinges used on the strollers. Those with a plastic joined hinge with an indented canopy positioning notches are subject to this recall.
Similarily, the company Maclaren recalled their strollers in November 2009 after finger tip amputations in the hinges when opening and closing the stroller.
For more information please call 1-877 MESSALAW.
Similarily, the company Maclaren recalled their strollers in November 2009 after finger tip amputations in the hinges when opening and closing the stroller.
For more information please call 1-877 MESSALAW.
Dorel Asia Recalls Cribs; 1 Infant Death Reported
About 635,000 cribs are being recalled because of a strangulation hazard that resulted in an Iowa baby being killed, a U.S. watchdog agency said Tuesday.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on its Web site that Dorel Asia SRL of Barbados was voluntarily recalling the cribs to replace drop side and non-drop side cribs. People who bought the cribs are advised to quit using them immediately until replacement kits are obtained and installed.
The cribs, made in China and Vietnam, were sold at Kmart, Sears and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through last month for between $120 and $700 a piece.
The commission said the drop side hardware can fail, causing the side to detach and create a space in which an infant or toddler can become trapped and strangled or suffocated. There also is a danger posed when a slat is damaged, the agency said.
The fatality reported involved a 6-month-old child in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The parents continued to use the crib after trying to repair it themselves, the agency said.
The commission and Dorel Asia have received reports of 31 drop side incidents. In six cases, children were trapped between the drop side and crib mattress. Three children suffered bruises.
The agency and company also received reports of 36 incidents of slat breakage, including seven reports of bruises and scratches to children and two reports of entrapment that resulted in no injury.
The recall involves models: WM1633; WM1633-0; WM1676BC; WM1676BCR-DC; WM2163; WM2163DC; WM1633-0-DC; GP004B3EGR; GP004B3WGR; GP006BCEGR; GP006BCWGR; DA1615B3; DAKM5132; DASE5005; DASE5009; DA0504KMC-1N; DA0504KMC-1W; DA1614B3; DAKM5152; and DASE5015.
Consumers can go to www.dorel-asia.com to order the free replacement kit.
For more information please call 1-877 MESSALAW.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on its Web site that Dorel Asia SRL of Barbados was voluntarily recalling the cribs to replace drop side and non-drop side cribs. People who bought the cribs are advised to quit using them immediately until replacement kits are obtained and installed.
The cribs, made in China and Vietnam, were sold at Kmart, Sears and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through last month for between $120 and $700 a piece.
The commission said the drop side hardware can fail, causing the side to detach and create a space in which an infant or toddler can become trapped and strangled or suffocated. There also is a danger posed when a slat is damaged, the agency said.
The fatality reported involved a 6-month-old child in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The parents continued to use the crib after trying to repair it themselves, the agency said.
The commission and Dorel Asia have received reports of 31 drop side incidents. In six cases, children were trapped between the drop side and crib mattress. Three children suffered bruises.
The agency and company also received reports of 36 incidents of slat breakage, including seven reports of bruises and scratches to children and two reports of entrapment that resulted in no injury.
The recall involves models: WM1633; WM1633-0; WM1676BC; WM1676BCR-DC; WM2163; WM2163DC; WM1633-0-DC; GP004B3EGR; GP004B3WGR; GP006BCEGR; GP006BCWGR; DA1615B3; DAKM5132; DASE5005; DASE5009; DA0504KMC-1N; DA0504KMC-1W; DA1614B3; DAKM5152; and DASE5015.
Consumers can go to www.dorel-asia.com to order the free replacement kit.
For more information please call 1-877 MESSALAW.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Cheese Recall Impacts Target, Whole Foods and other stores
Minnesota-based manufacturer Parkers Farm, Inc is recalling several of its products because they may contain Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. National markets that carry Parker Farm products- including Shop Rite, Path Mark, Wal-Mart, Target, Price Chopper, and Whole Foods- are being affected.
The risk of a healthy adult becoming ill is very small. Short-term symptoms include headache, fever, stiffness nausea, cramping and diarrhea. But the young, frail, elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible. The bacterium is especially dangerous if eaten by pregnant women as it can cause miscarriages and still births.
According to the CDC, approximately 2,500 people per year become seriously ill with listerosis and of those 500 die. As of this posting, no one has yet come forward claiming to be ill from the tainted products.
The recalled products, which number in the dozens, include peanut butter, bagel spreads, dips, cheeses and salsas. For a complete list of products, please visit the FDA's website.
The risk of a healthy adult becoming ill is very small. Short-term symptoms include headache, fever, stiffness nausea, cramping and diarrhea. But the young, frail, elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible. The bacterium is especially dangerous if eaten by pregnant women as it can cause miscarriages and still births.
According to the CDC, approximately 2,500 people per year become seriously ill with listerosis and of those 500 die. As of this posting, no one has yet come forward claiming to be ill from the tainted products.
The recalled products, which number in the dozens, include peanut butter, bagel spreads, dips, cheeses and salsas. For a complete list of products, please visit the FDA's website.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
New Warnings for a Popular Rub-on Pain Reliever
A federal agency has announced new warnings for all products containing diclofenac sodium, including Voltaren Gel, because the medications have been linked to reports of serious liver damage resulting in transplants and deaths.
Voltaren is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, which is typically prescribed for osteoarthritis pain. Many favor Voltaren Gel over pills because it is thought to be less likely to cause stomach irritation and bleeding, and it has been lauded as a safer pain reliever, particularly for elderly patients.
But after reports of liver toxicity were linked to Voltaren, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are urging doctors to closely monitor levels of liver enzymes called transaminases in patients who use the gel.
Transaminase levels are measured by a blood test, and the FDA recommends testing four to eight weeks after starting the gel.
“Post-marketing surveillance has reported cases of severe hepatic reactions, including liver necrosis, jaundice, fulminant hepatitis with and without jaundice, and liver failure. Some of these reported cases resulted in fatalities or liver transplantation,” according to an FDA statement.
The FDA said borderline or greater elevations in liver injury tests occurred in 15 percent of Voltaren-treated patients, sometimes as early as the first month of use.
“The warning recently announced was a labeling change applied to all products that contain diclofenac, the active ingredient in Voltaren Gel and several oral NSAID products,” according to an FDA spokesperson.
Robert Shaw, MD, a rheumatologist at the Carroll County Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center in Westminster, Md., says physicians have long known to watch for liver damage in people who take diclofenac sodium pills, but that the new warnings make it clear that the gel also carries a risk.
“It’s especially a risk when patients come in and they’re on other medications that affect the liver or kidneys like statins. You’ve got to be aware that the gel can add to the side effect of these medicines,” he adds.
“As rheumatologists, we give methotrexate all the time. If you add the gel on top of that, even though there’s only a slight absorption, it is additive. That’s also true of the over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like Advil, Aleve and especially Tylenol,” Dr. Shaw says. “So I think the take-home message is – yes the gel has fewer side effects than diclofenac pills. But you still need to be ever vigilant to monitor for potential side effects, especially affecting the liver.”
Voltaren is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, which is typically prescribed for osteoarthritis pain. Many favor Voltaren Gel over pills because it is thought to be less likely to cause stomach irritation and bleeding, and it has been lauded as a safer pain reliever, particularly for elderly patients.
But after reports of liver toxicity were linked to Voltaren, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are urging doctors to closely monitor levels of liver enzymes called transaminases in patients who use the gel.
Transaminase levels are measured by a blood test, and the FDA recommends testing four to eight weeks after starting the gel.
“Post-marketing surveillance has reported cases of severe hepatic reactions, including liver necrosis, jaundice, fulminant hepatitis with and without jaundice, and liver failure. Some of these reported cases resulted in fatalities or liver transplantation,” according to an FDA statement.
The FDA said borderline or greater elevations in liver injury tests occurred in 15 percent of Voltaren-treated patients, sometimes as early as the first month of use.
“The warning recently announced was a labeling change applied to all products that contain diclofenac, the active ingredient in Voltaren Gel and several oral NSAID products,” according to an FDA spokesperson.
Robert Shaw, MD, a rheumatologist at the Carroll County Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center in Westminster, Md., says physicians have long known to watch for liver damage in people who take diclofenac sodium pills, but that the new warnings make it clear that the gel also carries a risk.
“It’s especially a risk when patients come in and they’re on other medications that affect the liver or kidneys like statins. You’ve got to be aware that the gel can add to the side effect of these medicines,” he adds.
“As rheumatologists, we give methotrexate all the time. If you add the gel on top of that, even though there’s only a slight absorption, it is additive. That’s also true of the over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like Advil, Aleve and especially Tylenol,” Dr. Shaw says. “So I think the take-home message is – yes the gel has fewer side effects than diclofenac pills. But you still need to be ever vigilant to monitor for potential side effects, especially affecting the liver.”
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Volvo recalls over 140K 2001-2005 and 2010 MY vehicles over fuel system issues
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles sold in the US
Owners of these models may notice fuel smell and/or a fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
If one has a model number affected by the recall, a dealer will inspect the fuel pump installed and replace it with a part of a modified design - free of charge - starting in January 2010. Owners may call Volvo at 866-637-3774.
Vehicles affected:
Vehicle Make / Model / Model Year(s):
VOLVO / S60 2001-2004
VOLVO / S80 2002-2005
VOLVO / V70 2001-2004
VOLVO / XC70 2001-2004
VOLVO / XC90 2003-2005
Owners of these models may notice fuel smell and/or a fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
If one has a model number affected by the recall, a dealer will inspect the fuel pump installed and replace it with a part of a modified design - free of charge - starting in January 2010. Owners may call Volvo at 866-637-3774.
Vehicles affected:
Vehicle Make / Model / Model Year(s):
VOLVO / S60 2001-2004
VOLVO / S80 2002-2005
VOLVO / V70 2001-2004
VOLVO / XC70 2001-2004
VOLVO / XC90 2003-2005
Monday, December 21, 2009
FDA Investigates Radiation Overdose at Hospitals
More than 300 patients may have received an overdose of radiation from a special type of CT scan used to image the brain.
The Food and Drug Administration says the radiation overdoses occurred at three hospitals in Los Angeles and one hospital in Huntsville, Ala. FDA says there could be many more cases at hospitals nationwide as the investigation unfolds.
The scan in question is called a "perfusion CT." After an injection, a brain scan is taken to examine blood vessels. Perfusion CT is typically done to diagnose a stroke or aneurysm.
Patients at the four hospitals who received excess radiation, were exposed to the equivalent of several thousand X-rays instead of the three-eight times the expected radiation dose.
The FDA has sent alerts to hospitals and health care facilities nationwide that perform these specialized CT scans, asking them to double-check the machines in order to assure that they are configured correctly.
The Food and Drug Administration says the radiation overdoses occurred at three hospitals in Los Angeles and one hospital in Huntsville, Ala. FDA says there could be many more cases at hospitals nationwide as the investigation unfolds.
The scan in question is called a "perfusion CT." After an injection, a brain scan is taken to examine blood vessels. Perfusion CT is typically done to diagnose a stroke or aneurysm.
Patients at the four hospitals who received excess radiation, were exposed to the equivalent of several thousand X-rays instead of the three-eight times the expected radiation dose.
The FDA has sent alerts to hospitals and health care facilities nationwide that perform these specialized CT scans, asking them to double-check the machines in order to assure that they are configured correctly.
Friday, December 4, 2009
They Knew and Failed to..New Report Details Corporations that Skirt Responsibility and Shun Consumer Safety to Save Money
Every day there is another recall or warning of a product that turned out to have design flaws or unexpected problems, for example: a drug with a unanticipated side effect, a toy with a sharp piece that can injure a child, etc. These recalls and warnings are so frequent that consumers are no longer surprised.
However, what would surprise consumers is the fact that sometimes those who are responsible for these dangers know about the problem and do nothing about it. It may be hard to believe that anybody would cover up a products danger and then market that product to the very people it is likely to kill or injure – but that is what happens time and time again.
Last month, at the U.S. Chambers Institute for Legal Reform annual summit – an event dedicated to championing corporate misconduct and evading accountability – a report was released detailing true stories of corporations that knew their products were dangerous, yet failed to protect consumers.
“They Knew and Failed To” details numerous examples of medical devices, prescription drugs, and other consumer products that remained on the market after critical safety concerns had been raised within the company, while using all means necessary to avoid being held accountable for their misconduct.
In one example, police officer Tony Zeppetella ofOceanside , Calif.
Unfortunately, Zeppetella was shot and killed on a routine traffic stop in June 2003, when a bullet penetrated his vest.
Second Chance, the manufacturer, had known as early as 1998 that heat and sunlight caused the material to degrade, making the vests penetrable. Internal corporate memos from 2001 revealed an executive at the company had recommended notifying customers about the products’ defect, saying, “Lives and our credibility are at stake.” It was not until September 2003 that the company eventually recalled 130,000 vests, three months after Zeppetella was shot.
The company had known for FIVE years there were problems with their vests, but failed to notify consumers, putting law enforcement and service members’ lives at risk.
“While most businesses act in good faith to serve their customers and communities, unfortunately some corporations recklessly put lives at risk for the sake of profit,” said American Association for Justice President Anthony Tarricone. “While front groups like the Chamber stage events practically celebrating corporate misconduct, this new report convincingly illustrates the importance of holding wrongdoers accountable.”
To read the full report, click here. For more information, please call 877-MESSALAW.
However, what would surprise consumers is the fact that sometimes those who are responsible for these dangers know about the problem and do nothing about it. It may be hard to believe that anybody would cover up a products danger and then market that product to the very people it is likely to kill or injure – but that is what happens time and time again.
Last month, at the U.S. Chambers Institute for Legal Reform annual summit – an event dedicated to championing corporate misconduct and evading accountability – a report was released detailing true stories of corporations that knew their products were dangerous, yet failed to protect consumers.
“They Knew and Failed To” details numerous examples of medical devices, prescription drugs, and other consumer products that remained on the market after critical safety concerns had been raised within the company, while using all means necessary to avoid being held accountable for their misconduct.
In one example, police officer Tony Zeppetella of
Unfortunately, Zeppetella was shot and killed on a routine traffic stop in June 2003, when a bullet penetrated his vest.
Second Chance, the manufacturer, had known as early as 1998 that heat and sunlight caused the material to degrade, making the vests penetrable. Internal corporate memos from 2001 revealed an executive at the company had recommended notifying customers about the products’ defect, saying, “Lives and our credibility are at stake.” It was not until September 2003 that the company eventually recalled 130,000 vests, three months after Zeppetella was shot.
The company had known for FIVE years there were problems with their vests, but failed to notify consumers, putting law enforcement and service members’ lives at risk.
“While most businesses act in good faith to serve their customers and communities, unfortunately some corporations recklessly put lives at risk for the sake of profit,” said American Association for Justice President Anthony Tarricone. “While front groups like the Chamber stage events practically celebrating corporate misconduct, this new report convincingly illustrates the importance of holding wrongdoers accountable.”
To read the full report, click here. For more information, please call 877-MESSALAW.
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