Five lots of Benadryl, Tylenol added to drug recall

The maker of Benadryl and Tylenol has added five lots of the popular over-the-counter drugs to its growing list of recalled products, McNeil Consumer Healthcare announced Wednesday in a written statement.


Saying the drugs were "inadvertently omitted from the initial recall action" of January 15, McNeil disclosed it was voluntarily recalling four lots of Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets (100 count) and one lot of Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gels (50 count).

The Johnson and Johnson subsidiary said customers should call 1-888-222-6036 or use the website www.mcneilproductrecall.com for more information on how to receive a refund or replacement product.

The drugs were sold in the United States and in Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago.

GE Recalls Front Load Washers Due to Fire and Shock Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of 181,000 GE Front Load Washers due to fire and shock hazards. This recall involves GE front-load washing machines without auxiliary water heating.

In the front load washers, a wire can break in the machine and make contact with a metal part on the washtub while the machine is operating, posing fire and shock hazards to consumers. 

Model and serial numbers are listed below:

Model Number Begins With: WBVH5

Serial Number Begins With: 

AM, AR, AS, AT, DM, DR, DS, FM, FR, FS, GM, GS, HM, HR, HS, LM, LR, LS, MM, MR, MS, RM, RR, RS, SM, SR, SS, TM, TR, TS, VM, VR, VS, ZL, ZM, ZR, ZS

 

Recalled washing machines were manufactured between December 2006 and February 2010. The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom right side and on the bottom door frame of the washers. The washing machines were sold at department and various retail stores nationwide from December 2006 through May 2010 for about $700.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled washers, unplug it from the electrical outlet and contact GE for a free repair. Consumers should not operate the washer until it has been repaired. 

For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (888) 345-4124 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Call 1 877 M ESSA LAW for more information. 

P&G Recalls Specific Canned Cat Food

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its Iams canned cat food in North America as a precautionary measure. Diagnostic testing indicated that the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential for cats. Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency.

The following Iams canned cat foods have been recalled:

Product Name
 Iams ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten Food – all varieties of 3 oz & 5.5 oz cans 

Date on Bottom of Can
09/2011 to 06/2012 

This recall is limited to only Iams canned cat food distributed in North America. No other Iams pet food is involved.

Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

Consumers who have purchased canned cat food with these codes should discard it. For further information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826.

Chrysler recalling 350,000 Jeep Wranglers

The Chrysler Group is recalling about 365,000 Jeep Wranglers worldwide, about 290,000 of those in the United States, because they could develop brake fluid leaks.

The carmaker is recalling all model year 2006 through 2010 Wranglers, both two-door and four-door versions.

Fasteners that hold the front fender liners in place could come loose. That, in turn, could allow the fender liner to come into contact with tubes that carry hydraulic brake fluid, causing a leak that would result partial loss of braking power at one wheel.

The automaker plans to notify owners of affected vehicles so that they can have them brought in for repairs. To fix the problem, parts of the liner that could touch the brake lines will be removed, Chrysler said, a repair that will be performed by dealers at no cost to the customer.

This is the second recall today from Chrysler, as their 2008-2009 minivans were recalled because of a potential fire risk.

Wrangler owners can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or1 877 MESSALAW.

Chrysler recalls 285,000 minivans over fire risk

For the second time in 2010, Chrysler minivans have landed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website for a major recall.

Back in February, over 312,000 2005 and 2006 model-year Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans were recalled for an airbag issue.

The latest recall involves 284,831 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles that "may contain an improperly routed wire harness may have a condition where the sliding door hinge bracket can make contact and wear through the wire insulation."

If the wiring insulation wears down enough, a short circuit could occur inside the door, overheating the latch and possibly causing a fire.

Owners of affected vans manufactured between February and September 2007 can take them to the nearest Chrysler dealer for a free repair

For more information, please call 1 877 MESSALAW.

McDonald's recalls 12M cadmium-tainted Shrek glasses

Cadmium has been discovered in the painted design on "Shrek"-themed drinking glasses being sold nationwide at McDonald's, forcing the burger giant to recall 12 million of the cheap U.S.-made collectibles while dramatically expanding contamination concerns about the toxic metal beyond imported children's jewelry.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the voluntary recall early Friday, warned consumers to immediately stop using the glasses; McDonald's said it would post instructions on its website next week regarding refunds.

The 16-ounce glasses, being sold for about $2 each as part of a promotional campaign for the movie "Shrek Forever After," were available in four designs depicting the characters Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots and Donkey.

The CPSC noted in its recall notice that "long-term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects." Cadmium is a known carcinogen that research shows also can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems.

In the case of the Shrek-themed glassware, the potential danger would be long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium, which could leach from the paint onto a child's hand, then enter the body if the child puts that unwashed hand to his or her mouth.

Cadmium can be used to create reds and yellows in paint. McDonald's USA spokesman Bill Whitman said a pigment in paint on the glasses contained cadmium.

For more information and updates, please call 1877 MESSALAW

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.