News tagged with 'Defective and Dangerous Products'

Whole Foods Market issued a voluntarily recall of 1.2 million pounds of fresh ground beef in 21 states due to possible E. Coli contamination. Seven customers in Massachusetts have been reported ill from a strain of E. Coli and people in 11 other states and Canada.

Tyson Foods announced a recall of over 50,000 pounds of raw frozen chicken breast tenderloin products produced between July 23 and August 1 due to a soy-based allergen not declared on the product label.

Several potato chip companies, including Frito-Lay, Heinz, Kettle Foods, and Lance Inc., have agreed to lower levels of acrylamide, a chemical that may cause cancer, in their products to settle a lawsuit filed by the state’s attorney general in 2005.

For years Parkinson's patients taking the drug Mirapex have noticed they developed compulsive behaviors such as gambling, eating, shopping, porn. Hundreds of lawsuits are on tap in Minnesota District Court, and the first one has been decided in favor of the plaintiff - $8.2 million.

Danish scientists have noticed more behavioral problems among children whose mothers used cell phones during pregnancy.  Despite the controversy on how much - scientists agree that cell phones emit radiation. To err on the side of caution, there are some simple ways you can reduce your exposure, including something called a ferrite bead. 

Recalls of toys and children’s products are up 22% over the first part of last year, according to an analysis of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data by the nation’s leading consumer groups. With Congress’ August recess looming, consumer groups are urging lawmakers to complete reforming of the nation’s product safety system.

While Congress is still undecided and the FDA is waffling, major retailers are responding to consumer demand and voluntarily removing a controversial chemical BPA, used to make baby bottles, toys and cups.

Countless thousands of Americans may be driving on tires prone to fall apart, especially in hot climates and at high speeds, due to a widely unknown danger—the age of tire. 

11 states are removing beef from store shelves after an E. coli contamination was announced by federal officials.  The recall is being conducted by JSM Meat Holdings of Chicago. The beef products are distributed under different brand names.  The USDA reported Friday that no illnesses had been reported. 

A 14-year-old girl whose feet were severed by a ride at Six Flags Kentucky has filed a lawsuit and joined Rep. Edward Markey in calling for federal oversight through the CPSC over amusement parks.

Lawyers for Merck & Co. have successfully overturned a $32 million verdict in favor of a man's widow after he had a heart attack following one month taking the painkiller, Vioxx.  Merck has agreed to pay a $4.85 billion settlement and is facing about 27,000 other lawsuits.

St. Petersburg, Florida neighbors to defense contractor Raytheon, have filed two class-action lawsuits against the company for contaminating groundwater. Raytheon denies the drinking water is contaminated.

Speaking strongly for the first time before U.S. lawmakers, the FDA said Tuesday it believes that intentional heparin contamination came from China. The plant's owner says that country has stopped his people from investigating the contamination. Heparin comes from pig intestines sourced locally.  

Malt-O-Meal is supposed to be good for you but so far at least 23 are sick from a discovery of salmonella contamination in the cereal. The box of Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat has a “best if used by” date of between April 8 and March 18, 2009. The company is voluntarily pulling two cereals off store shelves.

Genes may explain why some smokers develop lung cancer and some don’t. Three independent genetic studies point to a genetic variation that is linked to developing lung cancer.