Defective & Dangerous Products

• Lead Paint in Dangerous Toys

  David Rowell | August 17, 2007 9:03 PM | 0 CommentsFresno, CA

  Mattel, which manufactures Barbie dolls and Hot Wheel cars, on Tuesday recalled almost 500,000 die-cast toy cars with "impermissible levels of lead." This is Mattel's second recall in a month; on August 2 Mattel recalled almost 1,000,000 toys, of various product lines, also because the toys were "covered in lead paint." Despite Mattel's efforts to stop distribution of the toys, almost 300,000 of...

• Over the Counter Laxative Causes Kidney Damage, Death

  Gary Shipman | August 17, 2007 4:07 PM | 0 CommentsWilmington, NC

  Lawsuits filed across the United States allege that a popular, over-the-counter laxative, Fleet Phospho-soda, used to flush out a patient's bowels prior to undergoing colonoscopies, has caused kidney damage and even death.The laxative, manufactured by C.B. Fleet Company, is the subject matter of at least 50 lawsuits currently pending in 20 states. The laxative has been on the market for over...

• Commentator Erin Burnett Says China is Our Greatest Friend for Poisoning Our Food and Making Toxic Toys

  Michael Phelan | August 17, 2007 11:08 AM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  It's high time the American public speaks up and let's the media know that we will no longer stand for programming that contains outrageous, shock commentary that is devoid of reason and simply designed to draw attention to the commentator. Ann Coulter is a perfect example. The more outrageous her statements, the more attention she gets. Recently, a CNBC bimbo commentator said that China "is...

• Food Safety and Defective Products

  David Rowell | August 16, 2007 8:20 PM | 0 CommentsFresno, CA

  Massive amounts of food, about $65 billion, are imported into the US annually, and the number is growing each year. The recent discovery of tainted pet food ingredients that sickened or killed some 39,000 American pets, illustrates how important the issue is. And yet, in the face of increasing consumer concern, the government is about to implement rules that will replicate and lock-in the...

• Warning: Do Not Give Cold or Cough Medicine to Kids Under 2

  Mike Ferrara | August 16, 2007 6:26 PM | 0 CommentsCherry Hill, NJ

  The Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration have issued strong warnings about giving over the counter cold and cough medications to children under the age of 2. An estimated 1,519 children under 2 years old were treated for adverse events from such medications during 2004--2005. Infant deaths, although rare, also have been reported. For more information on this...

• Mattel Recalls Magnetic Toys Due to Hazard

  Shannon Weidemann | August 16, 2007 1:09 PM | 0 CommentsGreenville, OBX & Rocky Mount, NC

  Magnetic toys were recalled by Mattel because they pose a risk to children who may swallow them. The product recall is for over 9 million toys in the United States. They include some Polly Pocket toys, Batman toys, Barbie toys, and Doggie Day Care toys. "Very powerful magnets, when more than one is swallowed, may stick to each other and cause more severe problems with the intestines," said...

• Ford Recalls Cars/Trucks After Deadly Fire

  David Rowell | August 16, 2007 9:37 AM | 0 CommentsFresno, CA

  Ford Motor Company last week announced the recall of 3.6 millon vehicles containing a switch which deactivates the speed control mechanism in certain Ford cars and trucks. Although Ford says the voluntary recall was because of uncertainty about "the long term durability of these switches," an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was underway at the time of the...

• Fisher Price Recalls 1M Toys for Lead Hazard

  Chrissie Cole | August 15, 2007 9:29 PM | 0 CommentsGadsden, AL

  Fisher -Price, a division of Mattel Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a toy recall of approximately 967,000 toys due to the surface paints containing excessive levels of lead. Lead can be toxic if ingested by small children.The recalled toys were manufactured by a Chinese vendor and sold within the U.S. using non-approved paint pigments that...

• Defective Cell Phone Battery Poses Potential for Injury

  Clayton Kent | August 15, 2007 4:58 PM | 0 CommentsNovato, CA

  Nokia has issued a voluntary product advisory concerning a specific battery used in their phones, that can overheat during charging, and pose a potential for fire and injury. In August, Nokia, the leading manufacturer of cell phones, issued a product advisory for the Nokia-branded BL-5C battery. Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan manufactured the BL-5C battery for Nokia between...

• Toys R Us Baby Bibs Contain Lead

  Shannon Weidemann | August 15, 2007 4:04 PM | 0 CommentsKansas City, MO

  Baby bibs sold at Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores across the country contain lead and may be potentially harmful to children. The defective bibs have not been recalled and the company says they are in compliance with safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission tested the bibs. But their own recent tests of baby bibs on the market in the United States found that the lead, when...