Recalls For Wednesday, August 1

Green Toys Recalls Mini Vehicles

Detachable wheels and hubcaps pose a coking hazard to small children

Read the entire article here.

Ken’s Foods Recalls Dressings, Sauces Containing Onions

Recall of Gills Onions, which supplies Ken's, poses the possibility of a health hazard

Read the entire article here.

Stage and Riser Caddies Recalled

A child died when a stage stored on a caddy fell on her

Read the entire article here.

Spartan Stores Voluntarily Recalls Deli And Produce Products Containing Peeled Whole Yellow Onions

By FoodSafety.gov

Spartan Stores has received no confirmation of illness associated with the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact their healthcare provider immediately. All of the products involved in the recall should be discarded or returned for a full refund or replacement.

Link to article here and here.

Allergy Alert On Undeclared Milk, Soy And Wheat In Wimberger's Bakery Products

By FoodSafety.gov

Wimberger's Old World Bakery & Delicatessen, Colorado Springs, CO is conducting a voluntary recall of all Kaiser Rolls, Seeded Rolls, Brat Buns, French Bread, Pretzel Rolls, Pretzels, Pizza Dough, Hoagie Rolls and French Baguettes because they contain undeclared Milk, Soy and Wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Milk, Soy or Wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Link to article here and here.

Publix Recalls Sub Sandwiches with Onions Due To Possible Health Risk

By FoodSafety.gov

Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for custom sub sandwiches that contain onions because they may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Publix received notification from their supplier, who receives sliced onions from Gills Onions LLC.

Link to article here.

Ken's Foods, Inc. Recalls Branded Food Service Dressings and Sauces Containing Onions

By FoodSafety.gov

The manufacturer of Golden Corral Tartar Sauce, Dickey’s BBQ Bean Sauce, Lee’s Cole Slaw Dressing, Fatz Tartar Sauce, Ken’s Tartar Sauce. These items contain onions from Gills Onions, which may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Link to article here.

Simmering Soup Voluntarily Recalls Salsa & Balela Because of Possible Health Risk

By FDA.gov

Simmering Soup, Inc., Atlanta, GA is initiating a voluntary recall of the following Trader Joe’s brand of Salsa and Balela because the products contain diced onions that are the subject of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Product Description   Use-by-date    SKU #      UPC
Mild Salsa 16 ounce     08/09                082584     00285841
Balela 8 ounce             07/31                 068306     00683067

* Packaging: Translucent plastic cups, snap on lids.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled products, which are packaged under the "Trader Joe’s" brand, were shipped between July 25 -26, 2012 to Trader Joe’s stores in the following states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Southern region of Virginia.

None of these products have tested positive for Listeria and no illnesses have been reported to date. No other Trader Joe’s products produced at the Simmering Soup Atlanta facility are affected by this recall.

This voluntary recall was initiated when the company was notified by FreshPoint Atlanta, which uses Gills Whole Peeled Onions for further processing to produce diced onions purchased by Simmering Soup Atlanta. Listeria was found in the facility in which the Gills Whole Peeled Onions were processed.

Immediately following notification from Simmering Soup, Trader Joe’s removed products affected by this recall from store shelves and destroyed them. Simmering Soup is keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.

Anyone who has the recalled product(s) in their possession should not consume it and should destroy, discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Simmering Soup at davidnyachuba@simmeringsoup.com or 401-225-1288, M-F 9am-5pm EST.

Link to article here.

North Carolina Farm Recalls Athena Cantaloupes

By FDA.gov

On Saturday, Burch Farms of North Carolina announced a recall of Athena cantaloupes because the product may contain listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been associated with this recall, according to Burch Farms.

Hannaford is advising customers because its stores had carried Burch Farms Athena cantaloupes. The product has been removed. Athena cantaloupes, a variety grown in the Southeastern United States, are a whole cantaloupe produce item. If stickered, the label on the item will reference Burch Farm and read: “Cantaloupe PLU 4319.”

Customers should not consume these cantaloupes. Return the item to stores or dispose of the item and return the sticker for a full refund. Listeria has the potential to cause serious illness.

No other products are affected by this recall.

Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 181 stores and employs more than 26,000 associates in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. For additional information, visit www.hannaford.com.

Please refer to an earlier press release http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm313632.htm

Link to article here.

Huxtable's Kitchen Voluntarily Recalls Trader Joe's brand Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Quinoa and Wheatberry Salad Because of Possible Health Risk

By FDA.gov

Huxtable's Kitchen is initiating a voluntary recall of Trader Joe's Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Quinoa and Wheatberry Salad because the onions used as an ingredient have the potential to be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Trader Joe's Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Quinoa & Wheatberry Salad with "use by date" of 7/28/2012 and 7/30/2012 comes in a 9.5 oz clear plastic container. The "use by date" is marked on a sticker on the front of the package. The recalled product was distributed from 7/23/12 to 7/26/12 to Trader Joe's stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. No other Trader Joe's stores are affected by this recall.

The onions are a product of Gill Onions, Oxnard, CA, which initiated a recall of the onions on July 18, 2012, and were supplied to Huxtable's Kitchen, Inc. Immediately following notification from Huxtable's Kitchen, Inc., Trader Joe's removed affected product from store shelves and destroyed them.

No illnesses have been linked to this recall. Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should not consume it and should destroy or discard it. Consumers with questions may contact Huxtable’s Kitchen: at 323-923-2885, M-F 8am-5pm PDT.

Read the entire article here.

Stop & Shop Alerts Customers to Voluntary Recall of Calico Bean Salad Item Sold on Salad Bar

By FDA.gov

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC, following a recall by Costa Fruit & Produce, announced it removed from sale Calico Bean Salad, sold on the salad bar, due to a possible health risk of listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date. Customers who have purchased the product between July 18, 2012 and July 26, 2012 should discard any unused portions and bring their purchase receipt to Stop & Shop for a full refund.

Listeria is a common organism found in nature. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

Consumers in Massachusetts looking for additional information on the recall may call Costa Fruit & Produce at 1-800-322-1374, all other consumers may call 1-800-343-0836 or visit Costa Fruit & Produce's website at www.freshideas.com . Customers may also call Stop & Shop customer service at 1-800-767-7772 or visit the Stop & Shop website at www.stopandshop.com.

Read the entire article here.

Recalls For Tuesday, July 31

Sausages With Possible Listeria Contamination Recalled

The products were shipped before test results were received

Read the entire article here.

Kenta Child Carriers Recalled

An unraveling strap can pose a fall hazard

Read the entire article here.

Coconut Chocolate Chip CLIF Bars Recalled

Possible package mislabeling presents allergy concerns

Read the entire article here.

California Firm Recalls BBQ Chicken Salads for Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

By FoodSafety.gov

Huxtable's Kitchen, a Vernon, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,610 pounds of barbeque chicken salads. The salads contain diced onions that are the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The product subject to recall is:

• 14.5-oz trays of "TRADER JOE'S BBQ CHICKEN SALAD."

The product subject to recall bears the establishment number "P-11079" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Each package also has a sticker with use-by dates through July 30, 2012. The product was produced between July 20, 2012, and July 24, 2012, and was distributed to retail establishments in Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California, Southern Nevada and Texas. When available, the retail distribution list will be posted on FSIS' website at www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.

Read the entire article here.

Recalls For Monday, July 30

Mazda Recalls Tribute SUVs

Same throttle problem as the twin Ford Escape

Read the entire article here.

Hyundai Recalls Santa Fe, Sonata Models to Fix Airbags

Problems with front passenger bags in the Santa Fe, side airbags in the Sonata

Read the entire article here.

Catswell Brand Vitakitty Chicken Breast Recalled

The food contains a possible health risk to cats

Read the entire article here.

Tyson Canned Chicken Products Recalled

Mislabeling could lead to consumption of an undeclared allergen

Read the entire article here.

Medications Target Long-Term Weight Control

New drugs are the first approved by the FDA in 13 years

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, and obesity contributes to a number of health conditions, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.

To help obese and overweight Americans who have been unsuccessful in getting their weight under control with diet and exercise, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two new medications -- the first drugs for long-term weight management that FDA has approved in 13 years.

Life-long meds

Marketed as Belviq and Qsymia, these prescription medications would be taken for the rest of a person’s life. “For many people, obesity is a life-long condition, but we don’t always think of it -- or treat it -- as such,” says Amy Egan, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director for safety in FDA’s Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products (DMEP).

“Qsymia and Belviq are considered life-long therapies in patients who respond to and tolerate them,” says Egan.

The drugs are meant to be used in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise, says Mary Roberts, M.D., a medical officer in DMEP. “These drugs are another tool to be used by someone trying to reach and stay at a healthy weight,” she says.

Read the entire article here.

Doctor Shortage Likely to Worsen With Health Law

By Annie Lowrey and Robert Pear, The New York Times

In the Inland Empire, an economically depressed region in Southern California, President Obama’s health care law is expected to extend insurance coverage to more than 300,000 people by 2014. But coverage will not necessarily translate into care: Local health experts doubt there will be enough doctors to meet the area’s needs. There are not enough now.

Other places around the country, including the Mississippi Delta, Detroit and suburban Phoenix, face similar problems. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that in 2015 the country will have 62,900 fewer doctors than needed. And that number will more than double by 2025, as the expansion of insurance coverage and the aging of baby boomers drive up demand for care. Even without the health care law, the shortfall of doctors in 2025 would still exceed 100,000.

Health experts, including many who support the law, say there is little that the government or the medical profession will be able to do to close the gap by 2014, when the law begins extending coverage to about 30 million Americans. It typically takes a decade to train a doctor.

“We have a shortage of every kind of doctor, except for plastic surgeons and dermatologists,” said Dr. G. Richard Olds, the dean of the new medical school at the University of California, Riverside, founded in part to address the region’s doctor shortage. “We’ll have a 5,000-physician shortage in 10 years, no matter what anybody does.”

Read the entire article here.

Recalls For Saturday, July 28

Michelin Recalls BF Goodrich and Uniroyal Tires

Tread separation could result in a crash

Read the entire article here.

CRM Labs Recalls Male Sexual Performance Supplements

The products contain undeclared active ingredients

Read the entire article here.

Motion Sensing Security Lights Recalled

HeathCo says the lights pose an electrical shock hazard

Read the entire article here.

Why Your Tweens Shouldn't Text

A researcher suggests 'techspeak' is corrupting grammar skills

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

In his second term, President Theodore Roosevelt tried to “reform” U.S. spelling, to make it simpler and easier to write words. But what Roosevelt failed to do, the practice of “texting” may succeed in doing. And not everyone thinks that's a good thing.

Drew Cingel, a doctoral student at Northwestern University, says the group of adolescents known as “tweens” are forming poor language skills and he blames texting. When people send texts, they tend to shorten words, use abbreviations and initials.

These usages quickly spill over into everyday usage. Cingel says more tweens are performing poorly on grammar tests.

Gr8!

"They may use a homophone, such as gr8 for great, or an initial, like LOL for laugh out loud," said Cingel. "An example of an omission that tweens use when texting is spelling the word would, w-u-d."

Cingel said the use of these shortcuts while texting, especially if they do a lot of texting, may hinder a tween's ability to switch between techspeak and the normal rules of grammar. The consequences can be severe, such as not getting a job because you wrote “i wud b a gr8 worker:)” on a job application.

Read the entire article here.

Ford Recalling Escapes With Sticky Throttles

The automaker says this poses the threat of a crash, resulting in injury or death

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

The risk of a high-speed crash has prompted Ford Motor Company to recall nearly 424,000 model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004.

Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, August 6. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August.

Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

It’s the second incident involving the Escape in two weeks. On July 16, Ford issued a recall of thousands of 2013 models, saying the positioning of carpet padding could lead to the risk of a crash.

Read the entire article here.

Study Finds Top 50 Free Lance Jobs

No. 1 is still writing iPhone apps, Android not so much

By Daryl Nelson, ConsumerAffairs.com

The way people work nowadays has totally changed.  Once, it was guaranteed a person would be in an office cubicle from morning to evening if they were employed.  And just as recently as 10 years ago, a person working from a remote location was quite rare.

Now it seems that more and more people are freelancing to make a buck, and a lot of companies are hiring employees on a contractual basis in more specialized areas of work.

In 2012, working from home or freelancing is rather normal, and with the constant growth of technology, more jobs are created as companies have increasing needs.

A survey conducted by the job site Freelancer.com showed that companies and brands that utilize technology for expansion are hiring freelancers in the largest numbers.

"The most lucrative [jobs] are those where specialist technical knowledge is required in high demand areas, at the cutting edge of technology and very few freelancers," said Freelance.com's Chief Executive Matt Barrie in an interview with ConsumerAffairs.

"For example, at the cutting edge of mobile phone apps, there's a premium.   Where there is not a premium are areas like data entry etc. i.e. jobs anyone can do," he said.

Read the entire article here.

Jigzone Puzzle For Thursday, July 26

Recalls For Thursday, July 26

Peg Perego Recalls Strollers

Risk of entrapment and strangulation; one child death reported

Read the entire article here.

Cass-Clay Creamery Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Allergens In Ice Cream

Read the entire article here.