Recent Recalls 2018

When product manufacturers discover defects in their products or hazardous issues that could injure consumers or cause illnesses, those manufacturers have a duty to rectify the issue as soon as possible at no cost to the consumer. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture handle food-related recall information while the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) publishes consumer product recall information.

Recent FSIS Recalls

• December 10, 2018: CTI Foods, LLC recalled ready-to-eat poultry and pork sausage products due to foreign matter contamination.
• December 9, 2018: Meats, LLC recalled beef snack stick products due to improper branding and failure to declare known allergens in these foods.
• December 7, 2018: Amboy Group, LLC recalled poultry products due to failure to declare known allergens and misbranding.
• December 4, 2018: EXP JBS Tolleson, Inc. recalled raw beef products due to possible salmonella contamination.
• November 23, 2018: Chunwei, Inc. recalled poultry and beef products due to monosodium glutamate, undeclared allergens, and misbranding.
• November 20, 2018: C. Corporation recalled pork products due to possible Listeria contamination.

Romaine Lettuce Recall

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a food safety alert for romaine lettuce grown in northern and central California. Affected crops potentially have E.coli contamination, and the strain of E.coli involved releases the Shiga toxin and can cause kidney failure.

The CDC has warned American consumers to throw away any romaine lettuce products grown in affected areas, or any products that the consumer cannot identify the source. The recall includes romaine hearts, full heads of romaine, salad mixes that contain romaine, Caesar salads, spring mixes, and any other food products containing romaine lettuce grown in certain parts of California.

Recent Non-Food Product Recalls

The CPSC website contains the most recent product safety recall information for American consumers and publishes the most recent recall data.

• December 13, 2018: Women’s scarves from Raj Trading Company pose a fire risk due to violation of the Federal Flammability Standard for consumer products.
• December 13, 2018: Lotus Foods recalled ramen noodle soup cup products due to incorrect instructions for heating and use that pose risks of burns and fires.
• December 12, 2018: Dormakaba USA recalled Stanley Commercial Hardware locksets due to a risk of entrapment and inability for the lockset to open from inside during emergencies.
• December 12, 2018: White-Rogers recalled Sensi thermostats due to a fire hazard from improper wiring.
• December 11, 2018: Kubota recalled their Zero-Turn mowers due to an injury hazard from the rollover protection structure.
• December 11, 2018: Penn State Industries recalled woodworking jaw chuck systems due to a defect that causes parts of the chuck to break off and create laceration hazards.
• December 6, 2018: Skip Hop recalled their convertible high chairs due to a falling and injury risk from the legs detaching.

These are just a few of the most recent recalls. It may surprise some consumers to learn that product recalls happen almost daily, and a consumer’s options for dealing with a recalled product may be unclear.

What to Do About Your Recalled Product

Product manufacturers must issue warnings to consumers who purchased products included in a recall. If it is not possible to individually contact consumers, the companies must publish recall information in a responsible manner in an attempt to capture the attention of consumers who purchased affected products. In most cases, a manufacturer will offer a refund, replacement or a gift card to compensate for the purchase price. In some cases, a manufacturer may send out additional parts or safety devices to compensate for a known defect.

If a consumer suffers illness or injury due to a defective product or recalled food, it is essential to work quickly for the best chance of recovery. A product liability claim can sometimes help secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage from dangerous products.