An E. coli outbreak that has killed 2 people has been linked to a ground beef processor that, according to The New York Times, stopped testing its ingredients years ago under pressure from beef trim suppliers.

As we’ve reported previously, Fairbank Farms of Ashville, New York – owned by AFA Foods – recalled more than 500,000 pounds of ground beef because of potential E. coli contamination. At the time the recall was issued, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said that there was an association between the fresh ground beef products subject to recall and illnesses in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts. It is now suspected that many as 500 cases of E. coli O157:H7may be tied to the recalled ground beef. (more…)

This week we’ve been following the massive recall of Maclaren strollers that was finally made official following reports of children’s fingertips being amputated. Now, it seems, that information is emerging that Maclaren knew—for an unbelievable five years—that the strollers could sever children’s fingers but did nothing until forced to by the government, the New York Post has reported.

Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Connecticut issued a recall of about one million Maclaren Strollers because the stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. To date, Maclaren has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States. (more…)

Some Chinese drywall victims in Louisiana could eventually get a bit of financial help from the state. According to the Associated Press, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) yesterday voted unanimously to back a $5 million plan to help Road Home program recipients who have tainted Chinese drywall. The aid package still must be approved by the Louisiana legislature and federal authorities before it can begin.

The LRA was established in 2005 following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and provided funds through the Road Home program to residents for rebuilding. Much of the rebuilding done with Road Home funding involved the use of Chinese drywall. (more…)

Chinese drywall victims whose homes were built with wallboard manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co., Ltd are just weeks away from a make-or-break deadline. They have until December 2, 2009 to join an omnibus class action lawsuit that will be filed against Knauf on December 9. Knauf has agreed to waive its rights under The Hague Convention for the Service of Process Abroad for homeowners who sign on to this lawsuit by the December 2 deadline.

The December 2 deadline is a hard deadline, and the omnibus complaint will not be amended at a later date to add more people. Claimants will also face a second deadline – December 14 – by which time they must have filled out a profile form. (more…)

Gehl Foods just issued a recall of about 115,000 of its HOT TOP2 Nacho Cheese and Chili Sauce Dispensers due to fire and burn hazard. Manufacturer Gehl Foods Inc. is located in Germantown, Wisconsin.

The recall was implemented because the HOT TOP2 Nacho Cheese and Chili Sauce Dispenser’s fan blade can come into contact with the heater coil, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. To date, Gehl Foods has received 12 reports of the dispenser’s fan blade malfunctioning and coming into contact with the heater coil, including one report of a fire that caused property damage. No injuries have been reported. (more…)

Chinese drywall is not a covered peril under homeowners’ insurance polices, according to the Florida Insurance Commissioner. Speaking to state legislators, Kevin McCarty warned that insurers have no obligation to cover defective Chinese drywall.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 1,897 reports from residents in 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico concerning Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. (more…)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is enforcing the flavored cigarette ban provision that is part of the newly-enacted Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) by issuing several warning letters to companies that continue to sell illegal flavored cigarettes to consumers in the United States through Web sites.

The warning letters directed the companies to cease the marketing and sale of these products immediately or to take other appropriate action to bring the products into compliance with the law. Failure to do so may result in additional regulatory actions such as seizure or injunction. The FDA also requested a written response from each of the companies within 15 days outlining the corrective actions taken. (more…)

Yesterday we wrote that a massive recall of Maclaren strollers was being considered following reports of children’s fingertips being amputated. Now, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that the recall is in effect.

Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Connecticut has issued a recall of about one million Maclaren Strollers because the stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. As of today, Maclaren has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States. (more…)

Nokia just announced a massive recall of millions of defective cell phone chargers due to a potential shock hazard, Network World reported. The recall program involves Nokia replacing the chargers at no cost to consumers; affected consumers are in the United States and Canada as well as other countries worldwide said Network World.

According to the cell phone giant, the Nokia-branded chargers were made by BYD Electronic Company, a third-party supplier, said Network World. BYD is located in China. (more…)

A massive recall of strollers is in the works following reports of children’s fingertips being amputated, news media outlets are reporting today.

The Daily News reported that Maclaren, a huge stroller maker, is recalling some one million strollers; the recall includes every Maclaren stroller sold in the past decade, since 1999, said the Daily News. A carriage hinge appears to be responsible for the injuries. (more…)