Recall recap: Viking dishwashers, Office Depot and West Elm chairs, Ford Focus and Chrysler Jeep vehicles
By Rita Colorito on April 12, 2012 in
With all the food calls this week, better check to see which edibles in your kitchen are safe. Something else in your kitchen that may be a danger: Viking dishwashers-- which were recalled because of a fire hazard. And if you have an office nook, make sure you aren't sitting in certain Office Depot or West Elm chairs, which were recalled because they may land you on your rumpus. For details on these and other recent recalls, read on.
In your kitchen
Viking Range recalled 2,000 Viking 24" Professional, Designer and Custom Panel dishwashers (pictured at left) manufactured between May and September 2010, because an electrical component can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The company has received 21 such reports, including five reports of related property damage, though no injuries. The recalled dishwashers bear model numbers starting with DDB325, DFB450, VDB325, and VDB450, though those ending with E aren't in the recall. They were sold at appliance and specialty retail stores nationwide from June 2010 through March 2012. Consumers may contact Viking at (800) 241-7239 for a free in-home repair. For safe and reliable dishwashers, read our dishwasher reviews.
Several food products were recalled this week because of undeclared allergens:
- Crispy brand cookies and rusk, a hard crisp bread, milk and almond allergens;
- Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster Shakes, nut allergen;
- Knott's Berry Farm packages of blueberry, boysenberry, raspberry and strawberry cookies, milk allergen;
- Food Lion brand label hard/soft taco dinner kits, milk allergen, and
- Rajbhog Foods' frozen Vegetable Diryani, undeclared cashews.
In other food safety news, two fish product manufacturers issued recalls because of univiscerated fish, which could cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness. Seng Ong Wholese recalled dried mackerel and dried round scad products; and Import Foods Whole recalled smoked croaker, smoked barracuda, smoked big eye, and smoked red snapper products.
Kraft also recalled 3,000 cases of Planter's cocktail peanuts, because the product had been exposed to water not intended during for use during the manufacturing process.
And Diamond Pet Foods voluntarily recalled Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food, sold in 12 states, because it may be contaminated with salmonella. Want to feed only the best to your pooch? Read the Consumer Search report on dog food.
Recalled chairs
Office Depot recalled 307,000 Brand Biella Leather Desk Chairs after 11 reports of the chairs separating from the base and breaking causing consumers to fall while seated, resulting in injuries, including minor contusions and abrasions. The recalled chairs, with SKU number 130548, "REG. No. PA-25498 (CN)", were sold at Office Depot stores nationwide and online from January 2002 through December 2008. Consumers may contact Office Depot's recall hotline at (866) 403-3763 to receive a $55 store card that may be used for a replacement chair or other store merchandise.
West Elm recalled 10,000 solid-wood folding chairs after receiving 14 reports of collapsed, broken or cracked chairs, through normal use, with two consumers reporting minor injuries. The recalled chairs were sold at West Elm stores nationwide, the West Elm catalog and website from September 2011 to January 2012. Consumers may contact West Elm at (855) 262-9744 for instructions on returning the product for a full refund.
Looking for a replacement office chair? Check out our report.
In bicycle recalls
Public Bikes, Inc., issued a voluntary recall of 4,100 2010 through 2012 Model Year Bicycles because the pedals can crack and break, posing a fall hazard to the rider. The company has received 24 reports of the pedals cracking, though no injuries. The recalled bikes were sold at Public Bikes & Gear in San Francisco and other Public Bikes dealers in 16 states nationwide and on publicbikes.com from April 2010 through January 2012. Consumers should contact Public Bikes at (855) 840-1400 or an authorized Public Bikes dealer for free replacement pedals.
About 17,000 GT, Giant and Trek bikes with SR Suntour Suspension Forks were recalled because the fork's internal support tubes can break and cause the rider to lose control, fall and crash. The bikes were sold at specialty bicycle stores nationwide from April 2011 through March 2012. Consumers may contact SR Suntour at (855) 205-2453 and return the bicycles to any authorized GT, Giant or Trek dealer for a free repair.
Todson Inc., recalled 40,000 Topeak Babyseat II Bicycle Carrier Seats because the child's fingertips can be caught in the hinge mechanism, posing a laceration and fingertip amputation hazard to the child. The firm has received two reports of incidents including near amputations that resulted in stitches and a crushed finger. The recalled model numbers include TCS2100, TCS2101 and TCS2102 and were sold at J&B Imports, REI, Action and Hawley, independent bicycle dealers, distributors and other retail stores nationwide and online at REI.com from January 2009 through April 2012. Consumers should contact Todson at (800) 250-3068 to receive a free hinge cover retrofit kit.
ConsumerSearch has you covered for the best advice on all things bicycle related.
In auto recalls
Ford recalled 140,310 2012 Focus vehicles, because of a problem with the passenger side window wiper, which may reduce visibility and increase crash risk. Ford will notify owners, with the safety recall expected to begin about May 21, 2012. Dealers will replace the inoperative wipers, free of charge. Owners may contact the Ford Motor Company at (866) 436-7332. Note, Consumer Search named the Ford Focus a runner up in our report of Best Reviewed economy cars.
Chrysler recalled 1,689 2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles. A damaged rollover valve may have been installed in the fuel tank assembly during manufacture. In the event of an impact or rollover, fuel could leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in June 2012. Owners may contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. For Best Reviewed Small SUVs, read our report.
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