By Rita Colorito on January 26, 2012 in
Keeping your lunch cold keeps you healthy, unless it's packed in one of two recalled California Innovations insulated food carriers whose gel packs can leak, posing a poisoning hazard. Other things you don't want to ingest: LEASA Brand alfalfa sprouts and Jones' Seasonings mock salts, because of possible salmonella contamination; and Price Chopper shredded taco cheese which also may contain shredded plastic fragments. And, in other recall news, Kia recalled certain Optimas and Rondas because the driver's airbag may not deploy in a crash. Read below for these and other recalls.
Hazardous lunch bags
Two California Innovations insulated food carriers were recalled this week because the gel containing diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can leak out of damaged freezer gel packs, posing a poisoning hazard if ingested. One dog has died from ingesting the gel.
The recalled products included 55,000 Travelin' Chef Expandable Thermal Food Carriers, code "1-38018-69-07," sold at Walmart from August 2008 to December 2011; and 248,000 Expandable Insulated Lunch Box with Freezer Gel Pack, code "1-61731-99-57," sold at Costco Wholesale Clubs, Leon Korol and Cost U Less stores between May 2007 and September 2008.
Consumers should immediately stop using the gel packs and contact their local waste disposal authority for instructions on proper disposal. Consumers may return the Travelin' Chef gel pack to Walmart for a refund of $6; they can also get a full $5 refund from Costco for the other lunch box involved in the recall. For both products, consumers can contact California Innovations at (800) 722-2545 for the same refund. More information is on the firm's website.
To find out what makes a great lunchbox, read our blog on the "Best lunchbox for your child". For other ideas on keeping foods fresh, read our report on food storage containers.
In other food safety news
Jones' Seasonings Blends recalled its Original and Spicy Southwest Mock Salts, because of possible salmonella contamination. The recalled products were sold through retailers in California, Minnesota and Washington and through online orders. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this voluntary recall. The recalled products were sold from July 1, 2011 to December 14, 2011.
Price Chopper supermarkets voluntarily recalled its Coyote Joe's Shredded Taco Cheese 16 oz, because the product may contain shredded plastic fragments. The recalled packages have UPC 41735-12509 with an expiration date of April 21, 2012, and were sold chain wide from January 4-17, 2012. Customers can return the product to their local Price Chopper for a full refund.
Winn-Dixie issued a voluntary recall on LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts, and other LEASA branded sprouts, because of possible salmonella exposure. All LEASA sprouts being recalled were sold from January 7-18, 2012, and have expirations dates between February 1, 2012, and March 15, 2012. The recalled products were sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Winn-Dixie will issue a full refund with proof of purchase or product packaging. LEASA also issued its own recall, because the product is also sold through other retailers in those same states.
Kradjian recalled 231 cases of Cedar Tree brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar Tree brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were distributed in California, Washington, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Arizona and Michigan to Mediterranean specialty markets.
In transportation safety
KIA is recalling a total of nearly 146,000 model year 2006-2008 Optimas and 2007-2008 Rondas, because a defect in the driver's side airbag may stop it from deploying during a crash. Dealers will fix the air bag problem free of charge. KIA will begin the safety recall during March 2012. Owners may contact Kia Customer Assistance Center at (800) 333-4542. Note: The 2011 Kia Optima, not included the recall, is a Best Reviewed Value Family Car by ConsumerSearch.
Nitto Co. Ltd., recalled 2,000 aluminum bicycle handlebars, model number B259AA, because they can break while in use, posing a fall hazard to users. They were sold at bicycle specialty stores and dealers nationwide from January 2008 through July 2011. Owners may contact Euro Asia Imports at (888) 662-1814, to receive free replacement handlebars.
In beauty products
Perfect Image Solutions voluntarily recalled all lots of four different types of Men's and Women's Hair regrowth topical containing varying levels of Minoxidil and Azelaic Also included in the recall was hair regrowth shampoo enhanced with ketoconazole and salicylic acid. For a list of specific products involved in the recall, visit fda.gov. The products were deemed to contain an "unapproved new drug" by the Food and Drug Administration with potential health hazards, such as skin irritation, low blood pressure and heart palpitations: the levels Minoxidil in the products haven't been shown to be safe. The product was sold nationwide online and through distributors. Consumers can contact Perfect Image Solutions, LLC at (916) 791-3230 or e-mail dave@perfectimagesolutions.com. Looking for a safe alternative? ConsumerSearch offers a report on the Best Reviewed hair loss treatments.
See Our Recommendations
