Recall scares may backfire on safety effectiveness.
UK consumers are increasingly turned off by product recalls and food scares - with almost 70 per cent saying they are hardly aware of product alerts and fewer than 20 per cent trusting manufacturers. A new nationwide survey has revealed national apathy over public alerts
Ironically, as the EU and UK regulatory and advisory authorities report soaring numbers of recall and safety reports in the last year, their effectiveness in terms of consumer safety seems to be diminishing as consumer apathy sets in
The survey, conducted this month by European risk management and PR experts Razor, reveals for the first time solid statistical evidence that partially undermines the approach adopted by manufacturers and government advisory bodies who feel it is their legal and moral responsibility to 'tell it all and tell it fast' whenever a product emerges as a threat to human safety.
The Razor survey looked at recalls and product alerts in general as well as food and drink recalls in particular.
Among headlines emerging from the survey are as follows.
Some 67 per cent of those questioned, male and female, are either not aware of any product recall alerts in the last year or only aware of one or two.
The most trusted sources of product safety advice and information are the regulatory bodies or independent authorities (38 per cent), like the Food Standards Agency in the case of food and drink alerts or, more generally, local councils and the Consumer Council.
Only 17 per cent said they would trust a manufacturer's advice; 15 per cent would turn to the media for their information and a mere 13 per cent said they would trust the retailer.
On food safety alerts specifically, over a fifth, 21 per cent, feel less confident about food safety now than they did a year ago and 16 per cent 'don't care about such alerts and don't take any notice of them'.
Commenting on the findings, Chris Woodcock, Managing Director of Razor, explained: "More than 1,300 food safety incidents were investigated by the UK Food Standards Agency last year, the first time there was an industry-wide, reliable tally.
"Yet the survey shows only the minority of these, that progress as far as recall, are getting the message across.
"There are various reasons why product alert notifications are increasing, not least the 2005 product safety legislation that forced manufacturers to be responsible for informing the authorities and consumers of any potential risk to consumers from their products.
"In addition, beyond pure compliance, there is also a growing desire on the part of organisations to live up to their corporate and social responsibility commitments, by doing - and being seen to do - the right thing.
"However, our survey shows that the sheer volume of recalls and warnings is increasingly, proportionally, falling on deaf ears.
"Moreover, and perhaps even more worryingly, the trend for those who do take any notice of the advice is to trust what the media tell them more often than the retailers and almost as often as the manufacturers.
"Although the advisory bodies might be mildly encouraged by our findings, this is a sharp blow for fmcg brands who have built up brand equity over many decades and who can suffer major dents in sales and loyalty as a result of recalls or other incidents.
"It clearly indicates that more work needs to be done to recover trust and overcome the scepticism, particularly following some high-profile brand incidents in the first half of 2007".
The current rate of product alerts is no accident: for instance, more stringent public alert demands arose as a result of European legislation, which established the European Food Safety
Authority and new procedures in food safety back in 2002.
Articles within the legislation relating to traceability and transparency forced manufacturers to be more open about product recalls.
Meanwhile, the volume of alerts shows no sign of abating, nor does the provision of timely public advice: in the last year to spring 2007, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) dealt with 81 food alerts issued to local authorities and 478 notifications to the European Commission, through the
Rapid Alert system for Food and Feed that supplies Member States with two-way intelligence on measures to ensure food safety.
In a parallel move, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in June 2007 a new advisory committee designed to counsel the agency on how to strengthen the communication of risks and benefits of FDA-regulated products to the public.
The Risk Communication Advisory Committee will have a three-part role: help the FDA better understand the communication needs and priorities of the general public; advise the FDA on the development of strategic plans to communicate product risks and benefits; and make recommendations to the FDA on what current research suggests about crafting risk and benefit messages, as well as how to most effectively communicate specific product information to vulnerable audiences.
David Honour, editor of risk management and business continuity website continuitycentral.com, commented: "The momentum for manufacturers and retailers to take more action has been building seriously for about three years, triggered in part by the FSA and the British Retail Consortium's product recall guidelines.
"It seems to be becoming a positive choice for boardroom teams, not just a distress purchase by companies that feel under duress".
Other recent industry data demonstrates that recalls are also becoming increasingly international, with 48 per cent of European recalls involving products made in China, meaning that UK businesses relying on Chinese manufacturers are increasingly vulnerable, especially as Chinese legislation is still not wholly aligned with European.
Woodcock concluded: "There is a question of legal and regulatory compliance, that manufacturers are heeding but which is becoming much more complex.
"But there is also a much greater need for pre-emptive risk management and reputation-building work to prevent incidents arising or to mitigate their effects, on the consumer and on the brand, when they do occur".
Razor is a risk communications agency that specialises in risk management, issues management and crisis handling, operating largely in the food and drink industry.
It is an exclusive partner of Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA): Razor Managing Director Chris Woodcock sits on the organisation's Quality Panel and they jointly run the DARE risk management service tailored to the European food and drink industry.
The national survey was carried out with 1,000 people above the age of 16 over the weekend of 13-15 July 2007 by independent research body, BMRB International.
On 19 April 2007 the European Commission released its annual report entitled 'Keeping European Consumers Safe'.
The report outlined some alarming statistics: in the previous year there were over a thousand
notifications of unsafe products, more than ever before and a third higher than in 2005.
Among these statistics, the number of notifications in the UK had doubled from 2005 to 2006, more than the EU average, pointing towards a proportionately bigger problem here than anywhere else in Europe, with a further surge expected in 2007.
Last year saw 92 reported recalls or safety notices from the UK, not including the 78 food related recalls and withdrawals.
Not only was this more than double the number in 2005, but that year itself saw an increase of 44 percent compared to 2004.
Hence, two consecutive years where the UK figures have virtually doubled.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Health Canada Reminds Canadians of Steps They Can Take to Protect Themselves from Salmonella
Health Canada Reminds Canadians of Steps They Can Take to Protect Themselves from Salmonella
Information Update2008-149
OTTAWA - Health Canada is reminding Canadians of the importance of proper food handling in the prevention of salmonellosis, a foodborne illness caused by Salmonella.
Salmonella are bacteria that are naturally found in the intestines of many animals and birds, and are one of the most common causes for foodborne illness. Symptoms of salmonellosis include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever and usually appear between 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food.
While uncooked meat, poultry and eggs are the most common foods contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, all foods, including fruits and vegetables, can become contaminated. People who are infected with Salmonella bacteria can also infect others. Work surfaces that have been used to prepare uncooked meat, poultry and eggs can also expose you to Salmonella.
It is estimated that every year, 11 to 13 million Canadians suffer from foodborne illness. You can minimize your chances of contracting salmonellosis by taking the following precautions:
Wash your hands. Handwashing, using soap and warm water before and after handling food, is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. Remember to wash your hands when you finish handling raw foods. Also, be sure to wash your hands after caring for your family pet, as Salmonella can be found in animal feces and on reptiles.
Keep work surfaces clean. Be sure to carefully wash with soap and warm water all cutting boards, counters, knives and other utensils after preparing uncooked foods. Wash all plates and utensils that touched or held raw meat or poultry before using them again for food that is ready-to-eat.
Wash all fresh produce. Raw fruits and vegetables can be contaminated with bacteria so they should be washed thoroughly with running water before they are prepared and eaten. Use a brush to scrub produce with firm or rough surfaces, such as cantaloupes, oranges, potatoes and carrots.
Cook food thoroughly. Contaminated foods may look and smell normal, but thorough cooking will destroy the bacteria. Use a digital instant-read food thermometer to check when meat and poultry are safe to eat. Don't eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry or meat and avoid raw or unpasteurized milk and dairy products. Cooked foods are safe to eat when internal temperatures are:
71° C (160° F) for ground beef 74° C (165° F) for leftover food, ground poultry and poultry parts 85° C (185° F) for whole poultry Properly store food. When buying and storing foods, separate raw meat and poultry from fruits, vegetables, cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods. Bacteria grow quickly at room temperature, so be sure to refrigerate or freeze food immediately when returning from grocery shopping and never defrost food at room temperature. Always defrost food in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave.
For more information on how to prevent illness from Salmonella please see It's Your Health on Salmonella Prevention.
Information Update2008-149
OTTAWA - Health Canada is reminding Canadians of the importance of proper food handling in the prevention of salmonellosis, a foodborne illness caused by Salmonella.
Salmonella are bacteria that are naturally found in the intestines of many animals and birds, and are one of the most common causes for foodborne illness. Symptoms of salmonellosis include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever and usually appear between 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food.
While uncooked meat, poultry and eggs are the most common foods contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, all foods, including fruits and vegetables, can become contaminated. People who are infected with Salmonella bacteria can also infect others. Work surfaces that have been used to prepare uncooked meat, poultry and eggs can also expose you to Salmonella.
It is estimated that every year, 11 to 13 million Canadians suffer from foodborne illness. You can minimize your chances of contracting salmonellosis by taking the following precautions:
Wash your hands. Handwashing, using soap and warm water before and after handling food, is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. Remember to wash your hands when you finish handling raw foods. Also, be sure to wash your hands after caring for your family pet, as Salmonella can be found in animal feces and on reptiles.
Keep work surfaces clean. Be sure to carefully wash with soap and warm water all cutting boards, counters, knives and other utensils after preparing uncooked foods. Wash all plates and utensils that touched or held raw meat or poultry before using them again for food that is ready-to-eat.
Wash all fresh produce. Raw fruits and vegetables can be contaminated with bacteria so they should be washed thoroughly with running water before they are prepared and eaten. Use a brush to scrub produce with firm or rough surfaces, such as cantaloupes, oranges, potatoes and carrots.
Cook food thoroughly. Contaminated foods may look and smell normal, but thorough cooking will destroy the bacteria. Use a digital instant-read food thermometer to check when meat and poultry are safe to eat. Don't eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry or meat and avoid raw or unpasteurized milk and dairy products. Cooked foods are safe to eat when internal temperatures are:
71° C (160° F) for ground beef 74° C (165° F) for leftover food, ground poultry and poultry parts 85° C (185° F) for whole poultry Properly store food. When buying and storing foods, separate raw meat and poultry from fruits, vegetables, cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods. Bacteria grow quickly at room temperature, so be sure to refrigerate or freeze food immediately when returning from grocery shopping and never defrost food at room temperature. Always defrost food in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave.
For more information on how to prevent illness from Salmonella please see It's Your Health on Salmonella Prevention.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Europe not reacting to Californian Teflon concerns
Europe not reacting to Californian Teflon concerns
As California moves a step nearer to outlawing the use of the chemical Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food packaging, European regulators say they are not currently reassessing their own opinions on the chemical.
The European Commission told FoodProductionDaily.com that it was not currently aware of any discussions on use of the chemical relating to food safety, after ruling on its use as an emulsifier in Teflon back in 2005. Under its ruling, the chemical is cleared for use - under certain conditions - in food contact plastics, though member states can individually decide on its acceptance in coatings.
Bill approval
The comments come after Senate Bill 1313, which would ban PFOA and other perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in packaging, was yesterday passed by the California State Assembly. It will now be forwarded onto the senate for approval, before heading to state governor Arnold Schwarzeneger for approval.
If successful, from 1 January 2010, no person or company shall manufacture, sell or distribute any food contact substance that contains PFOA or precursors to the chemical, in any concentration exceeding 10 parts per billion in the state.
PFCS
PFOA is one of a number of substances that form part of PFCs family, which are used in stain and grease-proof packaging for products like microwave popcorn, sweets and candy, fast food and pizzas.
As part of its complaint, the bill claims that PFOA is considered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be a likely carcinogen and a chemical that induces breast tumours in animals.
European policy
In Europe, the Commission said that PFOA had already been reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) back in 2005, as part of Directive 2007/19/EC, which relates to monolayer and multilayer structures that purely consist of plastic.
EFSA said that it had permitted the chemical for use in packaging, though only in repeated use articles that have been formed through high temperature sinter.
PFOA in individual markets
A spokesperson for the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed to FoodProductionDaily.com earlier this year that PFOA is permitted for food packaging in that market.
Amongst its uses, it is an intermediate in the manufacture of stain, oil and water-resistant additives for some textiles, coatings and food contact papers.
Although no indication was given as to whether the FSA plans any investigation into its safety, the agency is aware that the use of PFOS was stopped in the paper industry in 2004 following the voluntary cessation of their production by the major US manufacturer 3M.
As California moves a step nearer to outlawing the use of the chemical Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food packaging, European regulators say they are not currently reassessing their own opinions on the chemical.
The European Commission told FoodProductionDaily.com that it was not currently aware of any discussions on use of the chemical relating to food safety, after ruling on its use as an emulsifier in Teflon back in 2005. Under its ruling, the chemical is cleared for use - under certain conditions - in food contact plastics, though member states can individually decide on its acceptance in coatings.
Bill approval
The comments come after Senate Bill 1313, which would ban PFOA and other perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in packaging, was yesterday passed by the California State Assembly. It will now be forwarded onto the senate for approval, before heading to state governor Arnold Schwarzeneger for approval.
If successful, from 1 January 2010, no person or company shall manufacture, sell or distribute any food contact substance that contains PFOA or precursors to the chemical, in any concentration exceeding 10 parts per billion in the state.
PFCS
PFOA is one of a number of substances that form part of PFCs family, which are used in stain and grease-proof packaging for products like microwave popcorn, sweets and candy, fast food and pizzas.
As part of its complaint, the bill claims that PFOA is considered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be a likely carcinogen and a chemical that induces breast tumours in animals.
European policy
In Europe, the Commission said that PFOA had already been reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) back in 2005, as part of Directive 2007/19/EC, which relates to monolayer and multilayer structures that purely consist of plastic.
EFSA said that it had permitted the chemical for use in packaging, though only in repeated use articles that have been formed through high temperature sinter.
PFOA in individual markets
A spokesperson for the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed to FoodProductionDaily.com earlier this year that PFOA is permitted for food packaging in that market.
Amongst its uses, it is an intermediate in the manufacture of stain, oil and water-resistant additives for some textiles, coatings and food contact papers.
Although no indication was given as to whether the FSA plans any investigation into its safety, the agency is aware that the use of PFOS was stopped in the paper industry in 2004 following the voluntary cessation of their production by the major US manufacturer 3M.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible Bassinets
Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to stop using convertible “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned that on August 21, 2008, a 5-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.
CPSC is issuing this safety alert because SFCA Inc., the company which purchased all of Simplicity Inc.’s assets at public auction in April 2008, has refused to cooperate with the government and recall the products. SFCA maintains that it is not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity Inc.
The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard. The metal bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.
Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.
The Commission voted, using its new authorities in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, to release this warning upon making a finding that the health and safety of the public require immediate notice.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to stop using convertible “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned that on August 21, 2008, a 5-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.
CPSC is issuing this safety alert because SFCA Inc., the company which purchased all of Simplicity Inc.’s assets at public auction in April 2008, has refused to cooperate with the government and recall the products. SFCA maintains that it is not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity Inc.
The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard. The metal bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.
Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.
The Commission voted, using its new authorities in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, to release this warning upon making a finding that the health and safety of the public require immediate notice.
Wal-Mart Selling Bassinets Blamed for Killing Two Babies
Wal-Mart Selling Bassinets Blamed for Killing Two Babies
Simplicity products still at stores and for sale online
Simplicity bassinets that are still being sold at Wal-Mart and on Wal-Mart's Web site have been blamed for killing two babies.
An apparently faulty frame on the Winnie the Pooh 4-in-1 Simplicity Bassinet crushed and suffocated two babies according to family members and a police report. This is the latest in a string of six deaths blamed on Simplicity baby furniture, with the previous four followed by recalls of those products.
The most recent death occurred last week on Thursday when six-and-a-half-month-old Kennedy Brotherton slipped between the mattress and the side railing after the mattress came loose from the frame, her aunt, Melissa Brotherton, told ConsumerAffairs.com in a phone interview.
Kennedy's body slipped through a space between the mattress and the railing until she dangled by her head on the lower bar of the railing and choked, according to Capt. Ron Copeland of the Shawnee Police Department in Kansas.
"She was laughing and smiling when her parents put her to bed," Brotherton said. "They checked on her three times within an hour period. They were in the living room less than 10 feet away. She never cried."
The first death occurred last fall when Katelynn Simon suffered a similar fate in the same bassinet. "The rail design allowed her to slip her legs through and as she kept inching out she slipped lower," Simon's grandmother, Lori Crammond, wrote in a complaint to ConsumerAffairs.com. "Finally, her lungs were unable to expand."
The product appears to be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart and on Wal-Mart's Web site. As of yesterday, ConsumerAffairs.com found the product at two Washington, D.C.-area Wal-Marts we visited. The bassinet comes in two different Winnie the Pooh fabrics with the product identifications 3123DOH8 and 3112DOH7 and sells for between $100 and $110.
Crammond wrote that she warned Wal-Mart of the dangerous bassinet last fall. "Wal-Mart is very aware of what happened but continues to sell it with a five star rating," she wrote.
Wal-Mart has not returned two requests for comment made yesterday morning and this
morning.
More than a million Simplicity cribs were recalled for the same reason from May 2005 to September 2007 in four separate recalls, after four children died and countless others were injured when they were trapped between the mattress and the railing.
These bassinets have not been recalled. But the government agency responsible for recalling dangerous products, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is actively investigating the matter, said agency spokesman Scott Wolfson.
"CPSC is ... aware of two tragic deaths involving babies that had been placed in Simplicity bassinets," he said.
Both families said their goal is to warn as many consumers as possible."Our main concern is to get the product recalled," Brotherton said.
Simplicity products are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) and these bassinets carry the association's seal.
The association gave no comment on the recent allegations against Simplicity's bassinets. In a prepared response after the previous recalls, the association stated that "Simplicity's products carry the JPMA certification seal because they have passed the comprehensive and rigorous tests and review administered at our qualified independent testing lab."
The prepared statement did not address the concerns of the products they endorsed, but instead seemed to blame the dangers of the products on the parents.
"As with all consumer products, it's important to follow the manufacturer's assembly instructions," JPMA said in the statement. "This recall should serve as a reminder to all consumers to regularly check their cribs to ensure that they are properly assembled, and all screws and bolts are appropriately tightened. Consumers should check with manufacturers if they have any concerns about product assembly."
As for Simplicity, the company appears to be out of business. A phone call to the company's headquarters was met with a prerecorded message stating "Simplicity, Inc. is no longer in business and we no longer service Simplicity, Inc. products."
Two phone calls made yesterday and today and an e-mail were not returned by the company's attorney, Rick Locker, who has many clients in the child product industry.
The product also is under the Baby Disney product line since the bassinet is adorned in Disney's Winnie the Pooh characters. Disney responded last night but has not returned a subsequent phone call.
Simplicity products still at stores and for sale online
Simplicity bassinets that are still being sold at Wal-Mart and on Wal-Mart's Web site have been blamed for killing two babies.
An apparently faulty frame on the Winnie the Pooh 4-in-1 Simplicity Bassinet crushed and suffocated two babies according to family members and a police report. This is the latest in a string of six deaths blamed on Simplicity baby furniture, with the previous four followed by recalls of those products.
The most recent death occurred last week on Thursday when six-and-a-half-month-old Kennedy Brotherton slipped between the mattress and the side railing after the mattress came loose from the frame, her aunt, Melissa Brotherton, told ConsumerAffairs.com in a phone interview.
Kennedy's body slipped through a space between the mattress and the railing until she dangled by her head on the lower bar of the railing and choked, according to Capt. Ron Copeland of the Shawnee Police Department in Kansas.
"She was laughing and smiling when her parents put her to bed," Brotherton said. "They checked on her three times within an hour period. They were in the living room less than 10 feet away. She never cried."
The first death occurred last fall when Katelynn Simon suffered a similar fate in the same bassinet. "The rail design allowed her to slip her legs through and as she kept inching out she slipped lower," Simon's grandmother, Lori Crammond, wrote in a complaint to ConsumerAffairs.com. "Finally, her lungs were unable to expand."
The product appears to be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart and on Wal-Mart's Web site. As of yesterday, ConsumerAffairs.com found the product at two Washington, D.C.-area Wal-Marts we visited. The bassinet comes in two different Winnie the Pooh fabrics with the product identifications 3123DOH8 and 3112DOH7 and sells for between $100 and $110.
Crammond wrote that she warned Wal-Mart of the dangerous bassinet last fall. "Wal-Mart is very aware of what happened but continues to sell it with a five star rating," she wrote.
Wal-Mart has not returned two requests for comment made yesterday morning and this
morning.
More than a million Simplicity cribs were recalled for the same reason from May 2005 to September 2007 in four separate recalls, after four children died and countless others were injured when they were trapped between the mattress and the railing.
These bassinets have not been recalled. But the government agency responsible for recalling dangerous products, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is actively investigating the matter, said agency spokesman Scott Wolfson.
"CPSC is ... aware of two tragic deaths involving babies that had been placed in Simplicity bassinets," he said.
Both families said their goal is to warn as many consumers as possible."Our main concern is to get the product recalled," Brotherton said.
Simplicity products are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) and these bassinets carry the association's seal.
The association gave no comment on the recent allegations against Simplicity's bassinets. In a prepared response after the previous recalls, the association stated that "Simplicity's products carry the JPMA certification seal because they have passed the comprehensive and rigorous tests and review administered at our qualified independent testing lab."
The prepared statement did not address the concerns of the products they endorsed, but instead seemed to blame the dangers of the products on the parents.
"As with all consumer products, it's important to follow the manufacturer's assembly instructions," JPMA said in the statement. "This recall should serve as a reminder to all consumers to regularly check their cribs to ensure that they are properly assembled, and all screws and bolts are appropriately tightened. Consumers should check with manufacturers if they have any concerns about product assembly."
As for Simplicity, the company appears to be out of business. A phone call to the company's headquarters was met with a prerecorded message stating "Simplicity, Inc. is no longer in business and we no longer service Simplicity, Inc. products."
Two phone calls made yesterday and today and an e-mail were not returned by the company's attorney, Rick Locker, who has many clients in the child product industry.
The product also is under the Baby Disney product line since the bassinet is adorned in Disney's Winnie the Pooh characters. Disney responded last night but has not returned a subsequent phone call.
Toxic metals found in Ayurvedic meds sold online
Toxic metals found in Ayurvedic meds sold online
Traditional Ayurvedic medicines manufactured in the United States and India and sold via the Internet may contain unacceptable levels of lead, mercury or arsenic, researchers warn in a report released Tuesday.
Ayurvedic medicines are used by most of India's 1.1 billion people and worldwide by people from South Asia and other regions. "However, since 1978 more than 80 cases of lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic medicine use have been reported worldwide," Dr. Robert B. Saper, from Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues note in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
There are two major types of Ayurvedic medicines: herbal-only and rasa shastra, which is an ancient practice of deliberately combining herbs with metals (e.g., mercury, lead, iron, zinc), minerals (e.g., mica) and gems (e.g., pearl). Rasa shastra experts claim that these medicines are safe and therapeutic when properly prepared and administered.
Among 193 Ayurvedic medicines analyzed by Saper's team, the prevalence of metal-containing products was 20.7 percent. The prevalence of metals in American-made Ayurvedic medicines was 21.7 percent, compared with 19.5 percent in Indian-made products.
Rasa shastra medicines were more than twice as likely as non-rasa shastra products to contain detectable metals (40.5 percent vs 17.1 percent) and had higher concentrations of lead and mercury.
"Several Indian-manufactured rasa shastra medicines could result in lead and/or mercury ingestions 100 to 10,000 times greater than acceptable limits," the investigators report.
"Among the metal-containing products, 95 percent were sold by U.S. Web sites and 75 percent claimed Good Manufacturing Practices," the researchers note.
"Current regulations governing the quality of herbal supplements made and sold in the US and India are inadequate," Saper told Reuters Health. "We recommend strictly enforced government-mandated daily dose limits for toxic metals in all dietary supplements.
Manufacturers should have to demonstrate compliance with these standards through independent third-party laboratory testing."
"Although the current study focused on Ayurvedic medicines, reports of similar problems with toxic metals in other traditional medicines (e.g. Chinese, Mexican, Middle Eastern) and Western herbal supplements have been reported, Saper noted.
He and his colleagues recommend that Ayurvedic medicine users avoid rasa shastra medicines.
"Products made by members of the American Herbal Product Assn; capsules/liquids/pastes; are less likely to contain toxic metals," Saper said. "Products that have obtained seals of quality approval from Consumer Lab.com and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) can be assumed to be free of significant levels of toxic metals," he added.
Traditional Ayurvedic medicines manufactured in the United States and India and sold via the Internet may contain unacceptable levels of lead, mercury or arsenic, researchers warn in a report released Tuesday.
Ayurvedic medicines are used by most of India's 1.1 billion people and worldwide by people from South Asia and other regions. "However, since 1978 more than 80 cases of lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic medicine use have been reported worldwide," Dr. Robert B. Saper, from Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues note in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
There are two major types of Ayurvedic medicines: herbal-only and rasa shastra, which is an ancient practice of deliberately combining herbs with metals (e.g., mercury, lead, iron, zinc), minerals (e.g., mica) and gems (e.g., pearl). Rasa shastra experts claim that these medicines are safe and therapeutic when properly prepared and administered.
Among 193 Ayurvedic medicines analyzed by Saper's team, the prevalence of metal-containing products was 20.7 percent. The prevalence of metals in American-made Ayurvedic medicines was 21.7 percent, compared with 19.5 percent in Indian-made products.
Rasa shastra medicines were more than twice as likely as non-rasa shastra products to contain detectable metals (40.5 percent vs 17.1 percent) and had higher concentrations of lead and mercury.
"Several Indian-manufactured rasa shastra medicines could result in lead and/or mercury ingestions 100 to 10,000 times greater than acceptable limits," the investigators report.
"Among the metal-containing products, 95 percent were sold by U.S. Web sites and 75 percent claimed Good Manufacturing Practices," the researchers note.
"Current regulations governing the quality of herbal supplements made and sold in the US and India are inadequate," Saper told Reuters Health. "We recommend strictly enforced government-mandated daily dose limits for toxic metals in all dietary supplements.
Manufacturers should have to demonstrate compliance with these standards through independent third-party laboratory testing."
"Although the current study focused on Ayurvedic medicines, reports of similar problems with toxic metals in other traditional medicines (e.g. Chinese, Mexican, Middle Eastern) and Western herbal supplements have been reported, Saper noted.
He and his colleagues recommend that Ayurvedic medicine users avoid rasa shastra medicines.
"Products made by members of the American Herbal Product Assn; capsules/liquids/pastes; are less likely to contain toxic metals," Saper said. "Products that have obtained seals of quality approval from Consumer Lab.com and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) can be assumed to be free of significant levels of toxic metals," he added.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Three Southern California businesses pay over $59,000 for distributing unregistered Korean pesticides
Three Southern California businesses pay over $59,000 for distributing unregistered Korean pesticides
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute (213) 244-1815, cell (213) 798-1404 arcaute.francisco@epa.gov
LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled with two Southern California importers and a supermarket for a total of $59,040 for the alleged sale or distribution of unregistered Korean pesticides, a violation of federal pesticide law.The settlements included:·
Jayone Foods, Inc., a kitchen goods importer and distributor located at 7212 Alondra Blvd.,
Paramount, paid $10,400 for distributing “Home Clinic – Antibacterial;"·
Bega Trading Company, a household goods importer and distributor located at 3850 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, paid $33,040 for importing and distributing "Bisol Kitchen and Bath Disinfectant;”·
Zion Market, a supermarket located at 12565 Carson St., Hawaiian Gardens, paid $15,600 for selling "Home Clinic - Antibacterial"; "Kitchen Cleaner - Antibacterial"; and "Oxy Sack Sack Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaner - Antibacterial."
All of the products sold were imported from Korea and made either English or Korean-language claims to disinfect or sanitize surfaces. Disinfectants and sanitizers are considered “pesticides” under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and must be registered with the EPA.
“Companies must be aware that products intended to kill or control germs need to be registered as pesticides,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest office. “The EPA will continue to pursue violators of the law to ensure that these products do not make misleading and unverifiable claims.”
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Importers, distributors, and retailers, are required by federal law to ensure that any pesticides they distribute have been registered with EPA.
For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit: http://epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra.
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute (213) 244-1815, cell (213) 798-1404 arcaute.francisco@epa.gov
LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled with two Southern California importers and a supermarket for a total of $59,040 for the alleged sale or distribution of unregistered Korean pesticides, a violation of federal pesticide law.The settlements included:·
Jayone Foods, Inc., a kitchen goods importer and distributor located at 7212 Alondra Blvd.,
Paramount, paid $10,400 for distributing “Home Clinic – Antibacterial;"·
Bega Trading Company, a household goods importer and distributor located at 3850 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, paid $33,040 for importing and distributing "Bisol Kitchen and Bath Disinfectant;”·
Zion Market, a supermarket located at 12565 Carson St., Hawaiian Gardens, paid $15,600 for selling "Home Clinic - Antibacterial"; "Kitchen Cleaner - Antibacterial"; and "Oxy Sack Sack Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaner - Antibacterial."
All of the products sold were imported from Korea and made either English or Korean-language claims to disinfect or sanitize surfaces. Disinfectants and sanitizers are considered “pesticides” under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and must be registered with the EPA.
“Companies must be aware that products intended to kill or control germs need to be registered as pesticides,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest office. “The EPA will continue to pursue violators of the law to ensure that these products do not make misleading and unverifiable claims.”
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Importers, distributors, and retailers, are required by federal law to ensure that any pesticides they distribute have been registered with EPA.
For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit: http://epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra.
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