New Haven Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

Peanut Butter Recalled For Salmonella

Chrissie Cole — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:16:00 GMT

A string of peanut butter recalls has been traced back to the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). The latest recall includes all peanuts, peanut paste, granulated peanut and peanut meal made by PCA dating back as far as Jan. 1, 2007.

Hundreds of products have been recalled by food makers in the wake of this salmonella outbreak which has sickened 500 people in 43 states and may be linked to eight deaths.

PCA products are not sold directly to consumers but distributed to food companies and under private label. Peanut paste, made from roasted peanuts, is an ingredient found in many cookies, cakes and other products that can be found in the supermarket.

The FDA recently released an inspection report which outlined unsanitary conditions found at PCA’s Georgia plant – including mold and roaches – and confirmed the company shipped peanut products despite knowing they were contaminated with salmonella.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection and the illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment, but those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness.

The FDA Web site maintains a current list of recalled peanut products linked to the salmonella outbreak.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Aqua Dots Toys Recalled Due to GHB

Shannon Weidemann — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:43:19 GMT

A children's toy expected to be on many wish lists this Christmas has been recalled because of a harmful side effect. The recalled Aqua Dots were made with the incorrect chemical and can metabolize into the "date rape" drug GHB if swallowed. There had been reports of children falling ill after ingesting the small beads that make up the toy.

Millions of units of the popular toys, which are sold as Aqua Dots in the United States and as Bindeez in Australia, were recalled in those countries as well as Britain, Malaysia, Singapore and elsewhere this past week after children began falling sick from swallowing the toy's bead-like parts.
The recall is the latest in a slew of product quality scandals that has tarnished China's image as an exporter of reliable goods. The government has tried to shore up the country's reputation by increasing inspections, selectively punishing companies and launching a publicity campaign to boost quality.

China has confirmed that the chemical 1,4-butanediol was used as a coating on the toy an there was no objection by the toy's distributor. They were supposed to use the chemical 1,5-pentanediol but it costs more.

If you would like to read more about recalled products, please visit InjuryBoard's Dangerous and Defective Products information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann