Recall Roundup: April 2011

During the month of April 2011, there were product recalls in a variety of categories including household items, groceries, autos, baby and children’s items, tools, pet products, and more.

Autos

Nissan issued a recall on April 20, 2011 for select models of the Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 automobiles. The Pathfinder models affected were manufactured during 1996-2004 and the Infiniti QX4 models were manufactured in 1997-2003. Models were sold in select states including Connecticut, Ohio, Wisconsin, and more. The reason for the recall pertains to defective strut housing that may break away from the inner hood ledge and result in possible steering wheel problems including loss of control of the vehicle. Nissan is issuing letters to registered owners to advise them of the problem. Individuals who own one of the vehicles affected are asked to take it to their nearest Nissan dealership for inspection. If the piece is deemed faulty, it will be repaired for free. There are approximately 195,991 vehicles affected by this recall.

Airbag sensor malfunction has triggered a recall by Toyota Motor Corporation for over 300,000 select 2008 Highlanders and 2007-2008 RAV4 cars. If one sensor malfunctions this will cause the roll detection system to suspend and if two sensors malfunction the curtain shield airbags and seatbelt pretensioner can deploy. Toyota is offering a replacement sensor free of charge for vehicles affected by this recall.

For more auto recalls, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Children’s Items and Toys

Around 90,000 My Michelle apparel for girls were recalled because of lead exposure. Several tops and dresses were found to have a higher level of lead than is allowed in the United States. This collection of girls clothing, sold in girls sizes 7 to 16, had decorative jewelry and details on the apparel that contained lead. Go to My Michelle for more information to return recalled items.

Older model Arm’s Reach Infant Co-Sleepers were recalled due to potential entrapment if fabric liner is not used properly. When this liner is not attached to the bed or installed properly, the infant can roll into it and become entrapped and suffocate. The 76,000 affected bed-side sleepers involved in this recall were sold from September 1997 to December 2001. Consumers with one of these models should visit Arm’s Reach for instructions on how to install product.

Household

Pacific Trade International has recalled around 615,195 tea light sets sold under names Chesapeake Bay or Modern Light. Select tea light sets sit in plastic cups that have been known to catch on fire and pose a burn risk. Select candles were sold at the following retailers: Fred Meyer, Target, Super Value, and Wegmans. Consumers are instructed to not use candles and return them to the retailer where they were purchased for a store credit comparable to the price of candle set.

Pet

Aquarium heaters were a topic of recall consideration in April with the announcement of 1.2 million Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro Aquarium Heaters. When in use, heaters can overheat causing item to catch on fire or aquarium to burst. These items were sold from January 2004 through February 2011 at various pet stores nationwide. Consumers should contact United Pet Group for a free replacement heater by calling them at (800) 338-4896. 

Tools

Select Weller soldering tools sold August 2006 through May 2010 were recalled in April. Around 69,000 soldering tools were recalled due to breakage of the power cord at the place where the cord bends. If this occurs, consumers are at risk for burn injury. Cooper Tools will replace the faulty soldering iron when consumers contact them at (800) 476-3030 or at their website.

For more product recalls, visit U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Grocery

Various products were recalled due to undeclared items. Select RAW Organic Food Bars were recalled due to undeclared peanuts.  Better Batter cake, pancake, and biscuit mixes were recalled because of undeclared milk.

Salmonella concerns affected various products including Satur Farms Cilantro sold in the New York City and Long Island, New York area. In addition, Jonathan’s Alfalfa Sprouts were recalled for salmonella risk. Products affected had a sell by date of 4/23 and were sold in select states on the East Coast.

Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website for more food and drug recalls.

Resources:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr11.html
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm