By Rita Colorito on November 17, 2011 in
Wolfgang Puck griddles were recalled because they pose an electric shock hazard, while some Kotex tampons were produced with contaminated material that could be life threatening to users. Read on for the more food, health and car recall details.
Kitchen and food safety
W.P. Appliances is recalling Wolfgang Puck Electric Reversible Tri-Grill/Griddles, sold exclusively through HSN, because a defect in the electrical wiring can cause it to overheat or melt and pose an electrical shock hazard to users. The firm has received four reports of electrical shock and two reports of melted wiring. This recall affects model number BRTGG010 in the Wolfgang Puck Bistro Collection sold April 30, 2011 through May 6, 2011. Product owners should contact W.P. Appliances at (855) 666-0478, or visit the firm's recall website, for information on how to return the product for a full refund.
Ready Pac is recalling 5,379 cases of romaine lettuce with the Use By Date of November 18, 2011 because of E. coli contamination. These salads are also sold under the Trader Joe's and Safeway brands, so buyers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington beware.
Recalls in your medicine cabinet
Keime Inc. issued a voluntary recall of its Virility Max vitamins because they actually contain sulfoaildenafil, an analog of sildenafil, an active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug for erectile dysfunction, making Virility Max an unapproved drug rather than a supplement. The sulfoaildenafil does not appear on the supplement label and it may interact with numerous other prescription drugs consumers may be taking.
Kimberly-Clark issued a recall of a limited number of its Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency because the tampons were manufactured with a raw material contaminated with the Enterobacter sakazakii bacterium, which may cause health risks, including vaginal infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic inflammatory disease or infections that can be life-threatening. Women with serious existing illnesses, cancer or immune-compromised conditions, such as HIV, are at increased risk. The recall is limited to two product SKUs (carton codes), 15063 (18 count) and 15068 (36 count), sold at specific stores and states: Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas; specific Fry's stores in Arizona; and specific Smith's stores in Utah and Arizona. Kimberly-Clark has advised all stores to pull the product from their shelves. Not all stores in these states carry the recalled product. Consumers can find a listing of stores involved on the Kimberly-Clark website and the Kotex brand website.
And in auto recalls
Nissan recalled its Infiniti 2011-2012 G37 Coupes and 2011 370Z, totaling 1,788 vehicles, because the power window switch was manufactured out of specifications, posing a pinching hazard.
General Motors is recalling 674 of certain model year Cadillac 2012 CTS vehicles because a brake problem could cause the driver to loose the ability to brake.
What should you do?
If you own any of these products, check the product code against the specific product codes found on the manufacturer's recall press release, which we have linked to above for each individual recall. For details on these and other recalls, including product recall press releases, how to obtain a refund or manufacturer's recommendations to obtain a fix for your product's problem, the U.S. government maintains an online recall clearinghouse at Recalls.gov for six of its agencies that issue recalls.
For any recalled product, the CPSC recommends consumers stop using it right away. And remember, it's illegal to knowingly resell or attempt to resell any recalled product.