1.7 million Maytag dishwashers recalled

Maytag Corp. issued a recall of 1.7 million dishwashers sold under the Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brands after reports of fires starting due to electrical problems with the heating element, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

All the recalled dishwashers have plastic interiors and were sold nationwide between February 2006 through April 2010 for between $250 and $900. They came in either black, bisque, white, silver or stainless steel front panels.

Maytag told the CPSC a dozen consumers reported problems with the heating element that started several fires including one that caused extensive kitchen damage.

To determine if you have one of the recalled dishwashers, look for the model and serial numbers on the left side of the door opening. The recalled machines will have serial numbers starting with any of the following:

NW39, NW40, NW41, NW42, NW43, NW44, NW45, NW46, NW47, NW48, NW49, NW50, NW51, NW52, NY01, NY02, NY03, NY04, NY05, NY06, NY07, NY08, NY09, NY10, NY11, NY12, NY13, NY14, NY15, NY16, NY17, NY18, NY19 or ending with any of the following: JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, JN, JP, JR, JT, JV, JX, LA, LC, LE, LG, LJ, LL, LN, LP, LR, LT, LV, LX, NA, NC, NE, NG, NJ, NL, NN, NP, NR.

If you have one of the dishwashers, you are urged to stop using it immediately and disconnect it from the power supply by either shutting off its circuit breaker or by pulling out its fuse.

Maytag will repair the recalled machines in-home or provide a rebate if a consumer decided to buy certain new models with stainless-steel interiors. To schedule a repair or get a rebate, call Maytag at (800) 544-5513.

Weight-Loss Drugs and Risk of Liver Failure

There is a potential, rare occurrence of liver failure in people who take the weight-loss medications Xenical or Alli, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA has identified and reviewed 12 cases of severe liver injury reported in people taking Xenical and one case reported with the use of Alli. In some of these cases, other factors or drugs may have contributed to the development of severe liver injury.

The active ingredient in both of these drugs is orlistat. Xenical(orlistat 120 mg) is a prescription product. Alli (orlistat 60 mg) is sold over-the-counter without a prescription.

A cause-and-effect relationship of severe liver injury with orlistat use has not been established; however, because of the seriousness of this possible side effect, FDA has revised the drug labels for Xenical and Alli to include new safety information about the rare occurrence of severe liver injury.

Contact your health care professional immediately if you experience itching, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, loss of appetite, or light-colored stools. These may be signs of liver injury.

For more information please call 1 877 MESSALAW.

Tylenol recall: Serious side effects investigated

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into reports of at least 775 serious side effects from drugs recalled by McNeil, a division of Johnson & Johnson, according to a source close to a Congressional investigation.

Included in the reports were 30 deaths, nearly all of which were found to not be tied to McNeil's recall of Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl drugs from Jan. 1, 2008 through April 30, 2010, according to another source close to the investigation.

The FDA is also investigating reports of several hundred serious side effects -- or "adverse events" - and seven deaths since May 1, when McNeil recalled 50 children's versions of these non-prescription medicines because of serious quality and safety concerns.

Adverse event reports are consumer complaints of a serious side effect associated with the use of a medical product, according to the FDA. Adverse events could include death, hospitalization, disability and other health complications.

Following the most recent recall, Johnson & Johnson has suspended production at McNeil's facility in Fort Washington, Penn., that manufactured the children's drugs.

McNeil has maintained that its recall of the children's drugs was not "undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events" but as a precautionary measure.

For more information, please call 1 877 MESSALAW.

Messa & Associates, P.C. Superlawyers 2010

Miley Cyrus Jewelry Pulled After Toxic Metal Report

Miley Cyrus’ brand of jewelry is being yanked from the shelves at Walmart following a report that the jewelry contains high levels of a toxic metal.

The move is in response to a newly released nationwide test performed for the Associated Press, in which several items from the Miley Cyrus jewelry line -- sold exclusively at Walmart -- contained an unsafe level of cadmium ... which can be very dangerous if ingested.

The AP notes that the items are not known to be dangerous if simply worn -- but experts fear that the cadmium can enter a person's system if the jewelry is "sucked, bitten or swallowed." According to the report, long-term exposure to cadmium can lead to bone softening, kidney failure and other conditions.

The AP says Walmart became aware the jewelry contained cadmium back in February, but continued selling the products anyway -- until now.

Walmart has released a statement, saying the jewelry was "designed for and marketed to older audiences" and was "not intended for children." The company also says they will no longer sell the jewelry "while we investigate its compliance with our children's jewelry standard."

For more information please call 1 877 MESSALAW.

900,000 Dangerous General Electric Coffee Makers Recalled

Walmart is recalling about 900,000 coffee makers sold under the General Electric brand after receiving more than 80 reports of the machines overheating, smoking, melting, burning and catching fire, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

At least 83 consumers reported the problems to the CPSC said, including three who suffered burns. One coffee maker caused a "significant" kitchen fire, the CPSC said, while others damaged cabinets and counter-tops.

The 12-cup programmable digital coffee makers imported from China were sold in white or black. On the base is the "GE" logo. On the bottom is the model number. The models being recalled are169164 (black) and 169165 (white).

The coffee makers were only sold at Walmart stores and were available from March 2008 until January 2010. The price was about $30.

If you have one of the machines, the CPSC urges you to stop using it immediately. You can bring it to any Walmart and a full refund.

For more information please call 1 877 MESSALAW.

Recall: 1.8 million toy dart gun sets

Family Dollar Stores is recalling 1.8 million toy dart gun sets following reports of two boys choking to death on the darts.

The two boys who died were a 9-year-old from Chicago and a 10-year-old from Milwaukee. The Chinese-made toys were imported by Henry Gordy International Inc. of Plainfield, N.J., which has refused to recall the darts, the CPSC said. The dart sets were sold exclusively at the CPSC said.

While some companies will drag out a recall and be less than eager participants, it is unusual for a company to refuse to work with the CPSC to get the product out of homes.

Family Dollar said it would refund anyone who purchased the toys, which were sold between September 2005 through January 2009 for about $1.50. Family Dollar sold the "Auto Fire" toy dart target sets between September 2005 and January 2009.

The toy guns that fire the suction cup darts are either orange and yellow or blue and yellow. The sets come with eight orange darts and a small dartboard.

If you have one of the sets in your home take it away from children and throw it away or bring it to a Family Dollar store for a full refund.