Sherwood Brands Recalls Pokémon Branded “Valentine Cards and Pops”

Sherwood Brands Announces Nationwide Recall of Pokémon Branded “Valentine Cards and Pops” Because They May Contain Metal Fragments

Contact:
Amir Frydman
Sherwood Brands LLC
(301) 309-6161 x19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Rockville, MD -- February 14, 2008 – Sherwood Brands LLC is voluntarily recalling approximately 400,000 packages of Pokémon® branded "Valentine Cards and Pops™" (Item# 073964209109 and Item# 073964289804), because of reports that metal fragments were found in two lollipops purchased in Florida. There are no reports of injury. People who bite into or swallow a metal fragment could possibly be injured.

The products being recalled are packages of ten and Pokémon branded Valentine cards and lollipops featuring a variety of characters.

Sherwood Brands is advising its distribution network to remove the Pokémon branded Valentine cards and lollipops from the shelves immediately. The product was sold at retailers nationwide.

"Our utmost concern is the safety of our customers. We took immediate action upon learning of this incident and Sherwood is working with the FDA to recall the products," said Amir Frydman, president of Sherwood Brands.

"Pokémon is committed to consumer safety and we’re working closely with our licensee, Sherwood Brands, to investigate this matter completely," said J.C. Smith, Pokémon USA’s director of marketing.

Consumers who have purchased the above products are advised not to consume them and to return them to Sherwood Brands for a full refund. Send affected products to:

Sherwood Brands LLC
Attn: Product Recall
350 Shaw Drive,
Keysville, VA 23947

tag: Valentine card recall, Pokémon branded Valentine card recall, Sherwood Brands recall

Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., Recalls 143 million pounds of Beef.

The USDA, (U.S. Department of Agriculture) on Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of beef from Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., a Chino, Calif.,, the subject of an animal-abuse investigation, that provided meat to school lunch programs. (This is the only video I could find on YouTube.)


WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2008 – Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., a Chino, Calif., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 143,383,823 pounds of raw and frozen beef products that FSIS has determined to be unfit for human food because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection. Through evidence obtained by FSIS, the establishment did not consistently contact the FSIS public health veterinarian in situations in which cattle became non-ambulatory after passing ante-mortem inspection, which is not compliant with FSIS regulations. Such circumstances require that an FSIS public health veterinarian reassess the non-ambulatory cattle which are either condemned and prohibited from the food supply, or tagged as suspect. Suspect cattle receive a more thorough inspection after slaughter than is customary. This noncompliant activity occurred occasionally over the past two years and therefore all beef product produced during the period of time for which evidence indicates such activity occurred has been determined by FSIS to be unfit for human consumption, and is, therefore, adulterated. This recall is designated as Class II due to the remote probability that the beef being recalled would cause adverse health effects if consumed. FSIS made this determination because the animals passed ante-mortem inspection but should have been identified as suspect requiring additional inspection after slaughter to determine if there is evidence of disease, injury, or other signs of abnormalities that may have occurred after ante-mortem inspection. In July 2007, FSIS issued a final rule “Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle.” This rule requires that a case by case disposition must be made by an FSIS Public Health Veterinarian for every animal that becomes non-ambulatory disabled (“downer”) after passing ante-mortem inspection. The prohibition of downer cattle from entering the food supply is only one measure in an interlocking system of controls the federal government has in place to protect the food supply. The government has multiple safeguards regarding BSE in place and the prevalence of the disease in the United States is extremely low. Other BSE security measures include the feed ban that prohibits feeding ruminant protein to other ruminants and an ongoing BSE surveillance program that began before the confirmation of the first BSE positive cow in the U.S. in 2003. As another measure to reduce the risk of potential exposure to consumers, FSIS requires the removal of specified risk materials (SRM) so they do not enter the food supply. Several FSIS line inspectors are stationed at designated points along the production line where they are able to directly observe SRM removal activities.
The products subject to this recall were sent to wholesale distributors nationwide in bulk packages and are not available for direct purchase by consumers. All products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 336” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on various dates from Feb. 1, 2006 to Feb. 2, 2008. Companies are urged to check their inventories and hold the products until the recalling firm makes arrangements for final disposition of the products.
USDA Press Release, PDF
tag: USDA recall, food recall, Beef Recall, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing recall, animal-abuse, FSIS, adulterated beef, Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle

Chinese Factory Linked to Drug Heparin?

WASHINGTON — A Chinese factory that has not been inspected by the Food and Drug Administration is the source for the active ingredient of a critical blood-thinning drug whose production was suspended this week after 350 patients reported ill effects from it.

At least four people died after being given the drug, heparin.
An F.D.A. spokeswoman, Heidi Robello, said Wednesday that the agency was making plans to inspect the Chinese factory as well as a finishing plant in New Jersey "as soon as possible."

She said that "it was yet to be determined" if the Chinese plant was the source of the problem that led to the spike in reports of problems with the drug's use.

Heparin is made from pig intestines. Ms. Robello said that she did not know whether the pigs used to produce the suspended product, made by Baxter International, came from China.

tag: FDA, heparin, Chinese drug factory

See's Candies Recall

See's Candies, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Media Contact:
Susan Pasarow / Sarah Siler
Murphy O'Brien Public Relations
310-586-7127 / 310-586-7149

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- February 12, 2008 -- See's Candies, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., is recalling 16-ounce bags of See's Candies Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips because the product may contain undeclared traces of milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The product was distributed through See's owned retail shops in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Illinois. Licensees of See's also sold the product in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Texas and internationally in Japan and Hong Kong. See's Mail Order department sold small quantities countrywide.

The product is sold in a black and white See's logo flexible bag. This recall applies to all code dates (30757, 31327, 32067, 33157, and 23397).

There is one reported allergen reaction attributed to this product.

See's Candies confirmed in its investigation that the product was produced on a line that also produces milk chocolates as a follow-up to a consumer contact.

Concerned consumers who have packages of 16-ounce See's Candies Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips should return them to the shops where they were purchased for a full refund. If the product was received through mail order or direct shipment, consumers should contact See's Consumer Affairs at 1 800-789-7337 for product return instructions. Any consumers with questions about this recall should also contact See's Consumer Affairs at 1 800-789-7337.

tag: FDA Recall, food recall, See's Candies Recall, Allergy Alert, See's Candies Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips, See's Candies Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips recall

CPSC Recalls, Polaris All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Karl Kani Boys’ Fleece Hoody Sweatshirts

Polaris Industries Expands Recall of ATVs Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries Inc., of Medina, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 95,000 Polaris All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) (45,000 units recalled in June 2005). The ATVs can have defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) that overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to riders.

Boys’ Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Siegfried & Parzifal Due to Strangulation Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Siegfried & Parzifal Inc., of City of Industry, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 5,000 Karl Kani Boys’ Fleece Hoody Sweatshirts. The garments have a drawstring through the hood which poses a strangulation hazard to children.

tag: CPSC Recalls, Polaris All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Karl Kani Boys’ Fleece Hoody Sweatshirts, Polaris Industries Inc Recalls, Siegfried & Parzifal Inc recalls

Annie's Naturals Issues Allergy Alert on All-Natural Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette

Annie's Naturals Issues Voluntary Nationwide Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in 8 fl oz. All-Natural Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette

Contact:
Aimee Sands
707-254-3700 ext. 103

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Napa, CA -- February 11, 2008 -- Annie's Naturals is voluntarily recalling 686 cases of 8 fl oz. bottles of all-natural Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette. The product could be mislabeled and may contain soy sauce (contains soy and wheat) and sesame that were not declared on the ingredient statement. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious allergic reaction if they consume this product.

There have been no illnesses or injuries reported to date. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician immediately.

Affected product was shipped to grocery and natural food stores in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington, between December 20, 2007 and February 6, 2008.

Consumers can most easily identify impacted product by looking at the product labels – the front label says Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette, but the back label and ingredient statement say Low Fat Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. Only dressings with UPC # 0-92325-33319-2 with a Best By Date of 02/20/09/1/E and 02/20/09/2/E are affected.

Organic Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette, 16 oz. bottles of Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette, and other Annie's Naturals products are not affected by this recall.

The problem occurred during a product changeover when back labels for Honey Mustard Vinaigrette were commingled with back labels for all-natural Shiitake Sesame Vinaigrette. The Honey Mustard Vinaigrette products were unaffected.

Consumers who have purchased 8 fl oz all natural Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or may call Annie's Naturals Consumer Relations at 1.800.288.1089 to obtain a coupon for a free product.

tag: FDA Alert, Allergy Alert, All-Natural Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette, Annie's Naturals

CPSC Recalls, Soft Air USA Inc Helicopter Toys, Christmas Tree Shops "Embers" Tea Light Candles.

Christmas Tree Shops Recalls Tea Light Candles Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Christmas Tree Shops Inc., of South Yarmouth, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 146,000 "Embers" Tea Light Candles. The tea light candles have a clear, plastic shell that can melt or ignite, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Recalled By Soft Air USA Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Soft Air USA Inc., of Grapevine, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 30,000 Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys. The rechargeable battery contained inside the helicopter can catch fire during charging, igniting the helicopter and nearby combustible materials. This poses a burn or fire hazard to consumers.

Consumer Alert: Fire Hazard with Remote-Controlled Helicopters and Airplanes

Playing with remote-controlled helicopters and airplanes can be fun, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is concerned about an emerging fire hazard from the battery technology being used with these toys. CPSC is urging consumers to follow manufacturer’s instructions when charging toys that contain rechargeable lithium batteries.

tag: CPSC recall, Soft Air USA Inc Helicopter Toys recall, Christmas Tree Shops "Embers" Tea Light Candles recall