B.O.B. Trailers recalls Jogging Strollers Due to Choking Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product on October 11, 2011.

Name of Product: B.O.B.® single and double strollers

Units: About 411,700 in the United States and 27,000 in Canada (357,000 units were recalled in February 2011 due to strangulation hazard posed by canopy drawstring)

Importer: B.O.B. Trailers Inc., of Boise, Idaho

Hazard: The stroller canopy's embroidered logo's backing patch can detach, posing a choking hazard to babies and young children.

Description: This recall involves all B.O.B. strollers manufactured between November 1998 and November 2010. Strollers manufactured after October 2006 have a white label affixed to the back of the stroller's leg with the manufacturing date. Strollers with no manufacturing date listed were produced prior to October 2006 and are included in this recall. The strollers were sold in single seat and double-seat models. The BOB®, Ironman® or Stroller Strides® brand name is embroidered on the canopy of the strollers.

Sold at: REI, Babies R' Us and other children's product and sporting goods stores nationwide and Amazon.com between November 1998 and October 2011 for between $280 and $600.

Manufactured in: Taiwan and China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers until they remove the embroidery backing patch from the interior of the canopy's logo. Consumers should contact B.O.B. Trailers for instructions on removing the backing.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact B.O.B. Trailers toll-free at (855) 242-2245 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.bobnotices.com

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1411

Nidec Motor Corporation Recalls Pool Pump Motors

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, announced on October 11, 2011 a voluntary recall of the following consumer product:

Ecotech EZ® Variable Speed pool pump motors

Manufacturer: Nidec Motor Corporation, of St. Louis, Mo. and Emerson Motor Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: The pump cover is not properly grounded posing an electrical shock hazard.

Description: The recalled motors are variable speed swimming pool pump motors with a 6.5 inch diameter steel frame painted black with a square or C-flange mounting. The rating plate is on the side of the pump and "EMERSON. CAT.NO.EVSS3" and " MODEL M63PWBLE-121.H.P. 3.0, S.F.1.15" is printed on the plate.

Sold at: Pool motor distributors, pool dealers and pump manufacturers nationwide from September 2010 through August 2011 for about $1,000.

Remedy: Customers should stop using the recalled pool pumps immediately and call Nidec Motor Corporation to arrange a free repair. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Nidec Motor Corporation toll-free at (866) 278-6920 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.nidec-motor.com

Chicken and Mushroom Pie Products recalled due to mislabeling and undeclared allergen

Piccadilly Fine Foods, a Santa Clara, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 775 pounds of chicken and mushroom pie products because they may contain an undeclared allergen, egg, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Egg is a known allergen, which may have not been declared on the label.

The following products are subject to recall: 12-lb. cases of “Piccadilly Fine Foods Chicken and Mushroom Pastie,” with each case containing 24 individual packages.

The individual packages weigh 8 ounces each and say “Keep Frozen” on the label. The label also bears the establishment number “P-9216” inside the mark of inspection. Listed on the cases and individual packages are lot codes 213-10 through 365-10 and 001-11 through 056-11.

The chicken and mushroom pies were produced on various dates between Aug. 1, 2010, and Feb. 25, 2011. Note that some products subject to recall during this time frame are correctly labeled in that they do include “egg” in the ingredient statement. The “Chicken and Mushroom Pasties” that do not list “egg” are subject to recall. The products were shipped to distributors in California, Colorado, Florida and Texas for further distribution to retail outlets.

Source: USDA

Paula Deen® Cast Iron Cookware Sold by QVC Recalled

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Paula Deen® Hammered Cast Iron Cookware
Units: About 51,000

Retailer: QVC Inc., of West Chester, Pa.

Distributor: Meyer Trading Co. Ltd., of Hong Kong

Hazard: The recalled cookware can crack or shatter, posing burn and laceration hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: QVC and Meyer Trading have received 79 reports of the cookware cracking or shattering while heated. One consumer reported a minor burn injury to an arm.

Description: This recall involves the Paula Deen® 11-inch cast iron grill pans and griddles. They were sold as QVC item numbers K14984, K11970 and K135024. The cookware is black and has the Paula Deen® logo and the product size engraved on the bottom. No other Paula Deen® cookware is involved in this recall.

Sold through: QVC’s televised shopping programs, its Web site www.qvc.com, and QVC retail and employee stores from October 2007 through July 2009 for between $35 and $55.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cookware. Known purchasers were mailed instructions for obtaining a full refund. Consumers who purchased the cookware at a QVC store should return it to any QVC store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact QVC at (800) 367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET any day, or visit the company’s Web site at www.qvc.com.

The US bans candy cigarettes

Once a normal part of American childhood, the candy cigarette bites the dust.

"Almost 90 percent of adult smokers start smoking as teenagers. These flavored cigarettes are a gateway for many children and young adults to become regular smokers," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. "The FDA will utilize regulatory authority to reduce the burden of illness and death caused by tobacco products to enhance our Nation's public health."

Flavors make cigarettes and other tobacco products more appealing to youth. Studies have shown that 17 year old smokers are three times as likely to use flavored cigarettes as smokers over the age of 25.

"Flavored cigarettes attract and allure kids into lifetime addiction," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. "FDA's ban on these cigarettes will break that cycle for the more than 3,600 young people who start smoking daily."

Read more here from the FDA's press release.

Intermatic recalls digital timers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on February 5 a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Intermatic DT17 Heavy Duty Digital Timers

Units: About 200,000

Importer: Intermatic Inc., of Spring Grove, Ill.

Manufacturer: Computime Ltd., of China

Hazard: The recalled timers can have a faulty ground connection, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled Intermatic DT17 heavy-duty digital timers are lamp and appliance timers. They were packaged as the “DT17C Heavy Duty Digital Timer” and the “DT17C8 Heavy Duty Digital Timer.” The timer is white-colored and measures 3 3/8” tall x 2 5/8” wide x 1 5/8” deep. Only products with date codes of “40Z” through “52Z” or date codes ending in “A,” “B” or “C” are included in the recall. The brand name “Intermatic” is molded on the front of the timer, and the model number (“DT17”) and date code are printed on the back of the timer.

Sold at: Retailers and electrical distributors nationwide from September 2005 through December 2008 for between $15 and $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should unplug the timer immediately and contact Intermatic to obtain a free replacement including shipping.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Intermatic at (800) 704-3585 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.intermatic.com

The Land of Nod Recalls to Repair Cottage Bunk Beds Due to Fall Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the Land of Nod in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cottage Bunk Beds

Units: About 750

Importer: The Land of Nod, of Northbrook, Ill.

Hazard: When screws are missing from the upper bunk’s guardrails, the vertical slats on the guardrails can detach and pose the risk of children falling when getting in or out of the upper bunk.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm received two reports of vertical slats detaching from the upper bunk guardrails. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The Cottage Bunk Beds can be configured as bunk beds or as twin beds. The assembled bunk bed dimensions are 81.5 inches (length) by 43.5 inches (width) by 74.5 inches (height). The beds were sold in both white (model #s 236-519 and 188-174) and pine/honey finishes (model #s 459-410 and 172-596) and included a long and a short upper bunk guardrail, each of which should be secured to the inside of the upper bunk bed’s side rail with screws. Stickers bearing the model numbers are located on the inside of the lower bunk headboard.

Sold by: The Land of Nod catalog, Web site www.landofnod.com and at The Land of Nod stores in Illinois and Washington state from January 2006 through January 2009 for about $1,100.

Manufactured in: Brazil

Remedy: Consumers should check that all screws that attach the guardrails to the upper bunk have been installed. If the screws have not been installed, stop using the beds as a bunk bed immediately and contact The Land of Nod to receive new screws free of charge. All known purchasers have been notified of the recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact The Land of Nod at (800) 933-9904, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

Playland International Recalls Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on February 4 a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Arch Swing Sets

Units: About 700

Manufacturer: Playland International, Carrollton, Ga.

Hazard: The metal around the weld at the top of the swing frame can fail, causing the top bar to fall, posing a fall and impact hazard to the user or by-standers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm received one report of a child who suffered a head injury as a result of being struck by the top of the bar on the swing.

Description: The recalled includes swings sets with a 3.5 inch arch swing frame and a 3.5 inch top metal bar. The recalled swing sets come in red, orange, yellow, blue, tan, white, black , brown, teal, green, fuchsia, burgundy and purple.

Sold by: Playland International dealers nationwide from September 2001 through May 2006 for between $800 and $2300.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled swing sets and contact Playland for instruction on receiving and installing a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Playland International at (800) 356-4727 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.playland-inc.com, or e-mail the firm at swingrecall@playland-inc.com

Safety 1st Stair Gates recalled due to fall hazard

On February 4, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Safety 1st SmartLight Stair Gates

Units: 100,000

Importer: Dorel Juvenile Group USA, of Columbus, Ind.

Hazard: The hinges that hold the stair gate in place can break, posing a fall hazard to children if the gate is placed at the top of the stairs.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves the Safety 1st SmartLight Stair Gate with model number 42111, which is printed on a sticker under the handle panel. The gates, which were manufactured before December 31, 2007, are white metal with a gray handle and a motion sensor nightlight that illuminates on approach. The manufacture date is located below the gate’s handle as a date wheel imprinted in the plastic; an arrow indicates the month, and the year is stamped inside the circle. The manufacture date is also printed on a sticker inside the battery door.

Sold at: Mass merchandise and juvenile product stores nationwide, including Babies R Us and Wal-Mart, from January 2005 through December 2007 for about $60.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled gate and contact the company to obtain a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: Consumers can call the toll-free number 1 (866) 690-2540 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m EDT; complete an online order form on the Dorel Juvenile Group Web site at www.djgusa.com/safety_notice/ to obtain their free repair kit; email the company at Smartlightgate@djgusa.com, or send a fax to (800) 207-8182. Consumers should not return product to retail stores.

Mavic USA recalls bicycles

On February 4, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bicycles with R-SYS Front Wheel Rims

Units: About 12,000

Importer: Mavic USA, of Haverhill, Mass.

Manufacturer: Salomon SAS, of France

Hazard: The spokes on the bicycle’s front wheel rim can break during use, posing a fall and crash hazard to riders.

Incidents/Injuries: Mavic USA has received one report of an injury involving broken teeth.

Description: This recall includes R-SYS and R-SYS Premium front wheel rims. They were sold as original equipment on various bicycle brands and were also sold separately. R-SYS wheel rims are designed for road bikes. “R-SYS” is printed on the front rim of the wheels. The rims are 22mm in diameter, with 16 tubular, unidirectional carbon spokes.

Sold at: Specialty bicycle retailers from May 2007 through December 2008 for between $700 and $750 for the front wheel of the two-wheel set when sold separately from the bicycle.

Manufactured in: France

Remedy: Consumers should stop using bicycles with the recalled front wheel rims and contact their bicycle retailer for a free replacement front rim.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Mavic USA at (800) 664-9228 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mavic.com