Defective & Dangerous Products

• Lawsuit Filed Over Salmonella Outbreak at Food Fest

  Chrissie Cole | July 25, 2007 10:07 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Eating at the Taste of Chicago food festival left several hundred people sick. One couple was hospitalized for four days due to salmonella poisoning. Now, the couple filed a lawsuit against Pars Cove Persian Cuisine, whose taste booth was the source of the salmonella contaminated hummus, the lawsuit states.The couple suffered from high fever, dehydration and diarrhea. The suit was filed in Cook...

• Botulism Causes Canned Food Recall

  Shannon Weidemann | July 23, 2007 9:53 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  An "urgent" product recall for canned stews, chilis, dog food and other products has been issued by the FDA because of a possible contamination by Botulism. Botulism is a nerve toxin that can cause paralysis. Several people have been hospitalized after eating the recalled food. "This is a very big recall," David Elder of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's office of regulatory affairs...

• Infantino Recalls Toy Castles for Choking Hazard

  Chrissie Cole | July 05, 2007 10:52 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Infantino LLC is recalling approximately 68,000 toy shape-sorting castles. The plastic rod can loosen during play, allowing the colored beads to slide off the toy, posing a potential choking hazard to children.The company has received four reports so far of children nearly choking on the beads.The toy castles being recalled have counting beads, four play figures and many different shapes and...

• Veggie Booty Snacks Recalled for Salmonella Contamination

  Chrissie Cole | June 30, 2007 5:32 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  The FDA is advising consumers to discard any Veggie Booty Snacks, marketed by Robert's American Gourmet, due to possible contamination of Salmonella Wandsworth, a bacterium that causes gastrointestinal illness.Parents who are aware that their children have eaten Veggie Booty Snacks should watch for symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if signs of illness appear.Anyone who has eaten...

• Nordstrom's Children's Sandals Recalled

  Christina Cole | June 16, 2007 12:57 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Approximately 1,800 pairs of children's jeweled sandals are recalled by Nordstrom's. The jewels can detach from the sandal, posing a choking hazard to small children.The recall involves Nordstrom brand sandals sold in toddler and little girl sizes. The shoes are tan and white with gold straps that have three jeweled flowers across the top. The name "Nordstrom" and a flower pattern are embossed...

• Contaminated Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Recalled

  Staff Writer | June 14, 2007 10:14 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Tubes of toothpaste found in discount stores in four states are being recalled by the FDA because they may contain the toxic chemical diethylene glycol, better known as DEG. This chemical is sometimes illegally used as a sweetener and thickening agent. DEG is also used as a solvent in antifreeze.Colgate-Palmolive says that the tubes of toothpaste are counterfeit and that they have never...

• Shir Toothpaste Recalled Over Dangerous Ingredient

  Shannon Weidemann | June 13, 2007 2:57 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Gold City Enterprise LLC has issued a product recall for their Shir brand of toothpaste. The toothpaste was manufactured in China and has been found to contain diethylene glycol. Diethylene glycol is found in antifreeze and can cause liver and kidney damage. The recalled toothpaste brands are Shir Fresh Mint Fluoride, Shir Fresh Ice Shir Mint Fluoride and Shir Fresh Cool Shir Mint Fluoride....

• Lawsuit Claims Tobacco Companies Targeted African-American Consumers

  Christina Cole | June 10, 2007 11:47 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  A lawsuit filed, Wednesday, against several tobacco companies, alleges the tobacco companies were targeting black consumers.The suit seeks over $1 billion in damages on behalf of Gloria Tucker of Coral Springs, a black woman whose mother and grandmother both died of health problems related to smoking.Citing marketing documents from the tobacco companies, the suit claims they used unflattering...

• Ground Beef Recalled for E. coli Risk

  Christina Cole | June 07, 2007 12:45 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Approximately 75,000 pounds of ground beef has been voluntarily recalled by United Food Group LLC of California, for possible E. coli bacteria contamination.The beef products were sold under the brand names of Moran's All Natural, Stater Bros., and Inter-American Products, Inc. They were available at Albertsons, Save-A-Lot, Grocery Outlet, Fry's, Save-Mart and Smart and Final in Arizona,...

• The McDonald's Hot Coffee Case Revisited

  Staff Writer | June 06, 2007 10:32 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  I was in the Tampa International Airport last week waiting to board a flight, and I stopped in the terminal Starbucks to check my email and grab a cup of coffee.While I was sitting there, a woman who had just purchased one of those five-step drinks (triple, half, whip something or other) dropped her beverage on the floor as she was getting it off the counter. The piping-hot drink didn't get on...