Nidec Motor Corporation Recalls Pool Pump Motors Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2011 Release #12-008

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 278-6920 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Nidec Motor Corporation Recalls Pool Pump Motors Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Ecotech EZ® Variable Speed pool pump motors

Units: Approximately 2,000

Manufacturer: Nidec Motor Corporation, of St. Louis, Mo. and Emerson Motor Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: The pump cover is not properly grounded posing an electrical shock hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled motors are variable speed swimming pool pump motors with a 6.5 inch diameter steel frame painted black with a square or C-flange mounting. The rating plate is on the side of the pump and "EMERSON. CAT.NO.EVSS3" and " MODEL M63PWBLE-121.H.P. 3.0, S.F.1.15" is printed on the plate.

Sold at: Pool motor distributors, pool dealers and pump manufacturers nationwide from September 2010 through August 2011 for about $1,000.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Customers should stop using the recalled pool pumps immediately and call Nidec Motor Corporation to arrange a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Nidec Motor Corporation toll-free at (866) 278-6920 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.nidec-motor.com

Nidec Motor Corporation Recalls Pool Pump Motors Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

Contact lens alert about CooperVision Avaira Toric lenses

CooperVision, Inc.'s Avaira Toric contact lenses may have caused injury to unaware buyers after the date of a voluntary recall. Lack of widespread notice to the public is being blamed.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration seems ready to take action in the form of a public warning about continued use of the affected lenses. Although the FDA suggested a more broad notification be issued by the company, CooperVision's parent the Cooper Companies, Inc. ("Cooper") chose a more limited approach.

On August 19, 2011 Cooper issued a statement which reads in part:

"CooperVision has initiated a voluntary recall on limited lots of Avaira® Toric contact lenses. This recall is limited solely to specific lots of Avaira Toric, and no other CooperVision product is involved in this recall.

The recall was initiated because of the unintended presence of a residue on certain lenses. The residue was identified after investigating a small number of complaints of temporary hazy vision."

Cooper also posted the information on its website, but limited it to the fact of the recall, providing a way to check if a customer had purchased lenses from the affected lots. It did not include names of the retailers that received shipments of those lots. NBC News'report of the situation claims that Wall-Mart, Costco and Lens Crafters are among the chains that sold the products.

They in turn took the initiative to contact customers to inform them of the recall. The time lag between the August 19 press release and when individuals received notification from their opticians/optometrists seems to have caused some lens wearers to incur injuries that might have been avoided.

NBC has learned that customers without knowledge of the action taken by the company wore the lenses and a dozen have reported serious injuries that go beyond the company's claim of "temporary hazy vision."

While recall notices issued in countries outside the U.S. were broader based and included a list of 200 lots affected by the problems that caused injury, there has yet to be a more public announcement in this country.

In an email to NBC News, Morgan Liscinski an FDA spokesman said, “Absent prompt and adequate communication by CooperVision, the FDA may independently share its concerns about Avaira Toric contact lenses."

Toric lenses are designed for patients who require a correction for astigmatism. Once difficult to impossible to find in the more popular lens materials or as a disposable product, toric lenses are now available in a variety of forms to correct a multitude of vision problems.

The corrective lenses have two powers in them, created with curvatures at different angles (one for astigmatism, the other for either myopia or hyperopia). All About Vision's website explains that they a re built with a mechanism to keep the contact lens relatively stable on the eye when you blink or look around. To provide crisp vision, toric contact lenses cannot rotate on your eye.

Contact lens alert about CooperVision Avaira Toric lenses

Recalls and Alerts: October 3, 2011 « eFoodAlert

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

• Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases retail distribution list for Thornton’s Quick Café’s Chef Salad, recalled by Greencore USA, Inc. due to possible contamination with Salmonella.
• Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases retail distribution list for ground beef products recalled by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7.

Canada

• Allergy Alert: Prolab Nutrition Inc. (Chatsworth, CA) and Canadian importers recall several PROLAB® brand protein products, because the products may contain undeclared milk and/or wheat gluten. The recalled protein products were imported from the USA and sold in Ontario – and possibly nationally – by retail stores, mail order and direct delivery. Please navigate to the recall notice for a complete list of recalled protein powders.
• Food Safety Alert: The BC Centre for Disease Control is advising the public that products made by Chilcotin Harvest and distributed in the Williams Lake area, and sold from the Ethical Kitchen restaurant in North Vancouver should not be consumed, due to safety issues with the company’s processing practices that present a risk of Clostridium botulinum or E. coli in the meat products. Please refer to the BC CDC notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold in individual retail packages.

Europe

• Allergy Alert (UK): Lindt and Sprüngli withdraws Lindt Lindor White Chocolate Truffles, 200g (Batch numbers L4711, L2681, L2621 and L3691; Best before 31 July 2012 and 31 August 2012), because the products may contain traces of undeclared hazelnut and almonds.
• Food Safety Recall (France): Distributors of Casino, Dia, Irma, Le Mutant, Monoprix, Norma, Parot, and Selecto brands of Sparkling Mineral Water/Eau Minérale Gazeuse, 125cl (Best before 09-12; Lot #L244-11, L256-11 and L259-11), because the contents may contain small pieces of glass.
• Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Defco A/S recalls Silk Cut Fried Chicken (110g; Package date 6/9/2011; Expiry 29/9/2011), because the product is contaminated with high levels of Listeria monocytogenes.
• Medical Device Safety Recall (Italy): CooperVision Inc. recalls Avaira™ Toric contact lenses, because some lenses may have a residue. This is part of a multi-country recall, which was initiated by the company in August 2011.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1340): Listeria monocytogenes in frozen roast beef from Ireland; distributed to the United Kingdom.
• Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1341): Salmonella typhimurium in dog chews from Germany; distributed to Austria.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1342): Insect infestation of mackerel fillets in olive oil from Morocco; distributed to Italy.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1343): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Denmark; distributed to Italy.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1344): Mercury in frozen swordfish from South Korea; distributed to France, Italy and Spain.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1345): Ochratoxin A in ground dried chili dispatched from the Netherlands; distributed to Ireland.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1346): Unauthorized lincomycin in honey from China; distributed to the United Kingdom.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1347): Norovirus in frozen fruit mix from Belgium; distributed to Denmark.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1348): Mold growth in cheese spread from France; distributed to Malta.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

• Outbreak Alert (India): Twenty-three people from Karadikkal village in Tamil Nadu were admitted to hospital with suspected food poisoning after eating fish caught in a local tank.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
• BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.
• Bloom
• Brookshire’s
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
• Food Lion
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
• Harris Teeter
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
• Lucky Supermarkets
• Price Chopper
• Publix
• Raley’s
• Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.
• Safeway**
• Sainsbury’s
• ShopRite
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
• Top Food & Drug
• Tops Friendly Markets
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
• Wegmans
• Whole Foods Market
• WinCo Foods
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.

**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’

Recalls and Alerts: October 3, 2011 « eFoodAlert

2010-2012 Audi A3 TDI: Recall Alert

2010 Audi A3 TDI

Audi is conducting a voluntary recall on certain model 2010-2012 A3 TDI models over concerns about a potential fuel leak from the number two injector. This is the same issue affecting certain Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and Golf models covered in a related recall.

A notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site shows that affected vehicles were manufactured from September 2009 through September 2011.

Documentation from Volkswagen lists the number of potential affected Audi A3 TDI models at 7,131 and involves only Volkswagen-sourced 2.0-liter TDI engines.

The issue concerns a potential fuel leak from the number two fuel injector, which may be caused by vibration-related fuel line cracking. Any fuel leaks in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a fire.

Volkswagen says it is not aware of any fire, crash or injury caused by this defect in Audi A3 TDI models.

As soon as sufficient parts of vibration dampers and number two injection lines are available, Audi will notify owners of affected vehicles to make an appointment to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer for the inspection and necessary repairs and replacement. This will be at no charge to the owner. The Audi safety recall is expected to begin in November 2011.

In the meantime, owners of 2010-2012 Audi A3 TDI models with any questions or concerns may contact Audi at 1-800-367-2834. Reference the Audi safety recall number 23J8/K5.

Alternatively, owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov. Refer to the NHTSA Campaign ID No. 11V490.

2010-2012 Audi A3 TDI: Recall Alert

IKEA Recalls Children's Folding Tent Due to Laceration and Puncture Hazards

Name of Product: BUSA children’s folding tent

Units: About 58,000; 51,000 in the United States and 7,000 in Canada

Importer: IKEA North America Service, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Hazard: The steel wire frame of the tent can break, producing sharp wire ends that can protrude through the tent fabric, posing a laceration or puncture hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Three incidents were reported, including one injury.

Description: This recall involves a cube-shaped children’s folding tent with model number 90192009. The brand name BUSA and IKEA and the model number are printed on a sewn-in label attached to an interior seam in the tent. The tent frame is made of flat steel wire and the tent material is pale green polyester fabric with turquoise, pink and white trim. The tent’s dimensions are: L 28 1/4, W 28 1/4, H 28 1/4.

Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from August 2011 through September 2011 for about $8.

Manufactured in: Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take it away from children and return it to their nearest IKEA store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.ikea-usa.com

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1434

IKEA Recalls Children's Folding Tent Due to Laceration and Puncture Hazards

Anchor for Safety: TV and Furniture Tip-Over-Related Deaths and Injuries Not Slowing Down

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In March of this year, an 11 month old died while watching TV with his dad and his 2-year-old sibling. The baby's brother bumped into the furniture holding the TV and the TV fell onto the baby's head and abdomen. Unfortunately, this is not a rare incident. Furniture and TV tip-over incidents are one of the top hidden hazards in the home. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to inspect and anchor furniture and TVs now, in order to protect young children from a preventable tragedy.

A new data report (pdf) shows that between 2000 and 2010, CPSC staff received reports of 245 tip-over-related deaths involving children 8 years old and younger. More than 90 percent of the incidents involved children 5 years old and younger. In more than half of the 245 fatalities (56%), the child was crushed by the weight of the television, furniture, or appliance. The majority of these children suffered fatal injuries to the head (67%).

In addition, more than 22,000 children 8 years old and younger are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year (2008-2010) for injuries related to instability or tipover of televisions, furniture, and appliances. And like the fatalities, a majority of these injuries (56%) are to the head.

"Children like to climb on furniture. Placing TVs on furniture not intended for them or having furniture that is not secured can have tragic consequences," said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "These tragedies can be prevented by taking low-cost steps. Anchor those TVs and dressers, and protect your child or a child visiting your home."

The most common tip-over scenarios involve toddlers who have climbed onto, fallen against or pulled themselves up on furniture. About 70 percent of children's fatalities (169 incidents) involved falling televisions, and 27 percent (65 incidents) involved only furniture falling. Of the 135 child fatalities where furniture fell by itself or fell with a TV, the majority of incidents (64%) involved a chest, dresser, or a bureau. Often, these pieces of furniture have drawers that children can use to climb.

To prevent tragedies follow these safety tips in any home where children live or visit:

• Anchor furniture to the wall or the floor.
• Place TVs on sturdy, low bases.
• Or, anchor the furniture and the TV on top of it, and push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible.
• Keep remote controls, toys, and other items that might attract children off TV stands or furniture.
• Keep TV and/or cable cords out of reach of children.
• Make sure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
• Supervise children in rooms where these safety tips have not been followed.

To download a 2-minute PSA in broadcast quality, including a demonstration of simulated tip-over incidents, visit https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1241071902/9180c88037a4e88c0a018ad49d916b83 (English) or https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1241073302/7d9984e13fe841f09bf2f620d5268257 (Spanish). Consumers can watch this PSA at http://youtu.be/g6oHH9GTzsg (English) or http://youtu.be/u9vpBuDBgBI (Spanish) or download a poster (pdf).

Anchor for Safety: TV and Furniture Tip-Over-Related Deaths and Injuries Not Slowing Down

Yu Wei Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at jcpenney Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

Yu Wei Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at jcpenney Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Drop-Side Cribs

Units: About 8,000

Importer: J. C. Penney Purchasing Corp., of Plano, Texas

Manufacturer: Yu Wei Co. Ltd., of Taipei, Taiwan

Hazard: The drop-side rails on the crib can malfunction, detach or unexpectedly fall down, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position. When this happens, a space is created into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents can also occur due to incorrect assembly and due to age-related wear and tear.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firms are aware of nine incidents involving drop side rails that malfunctioned or detached, including one report of a child who sustained minor abrasions to the arm.

Description: This recall involves Yu Wei full-size cribs sold under the Scroll and Lauren model names. The cribs were sold in antique white, pecan and dark cherry, and have the following model numbers and date codes listed on the inside of the crib�s end panels.

Model #	Description	Date Code Between
343-8225	Scroll Crib	01/2006-12/2010
343-9117	Lauren Crib	01/2007-12/2010

Sold at: jcpenney.com and in the jcpenney catalog from January 2006 through December 2010 for between $300 and $450.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Yu Wei to get a free immobilizer kit that will immobilize the drop side. In the meantime, parents are encouraged to find an alternate, safe sleep environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on your child�s age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Yu Wei at (877) 806-8190 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm�s website at www.yuweicribrecalls.com . Consumers can also email the firm at yuweiparts@aol.com to order a free immobilizer kit.

Model No. 343-8225 (about 7,300 units produced)



Model No. 343-9117 (about 700 units produced)

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you do not use a crib that is older than 10 years old. Effective June 28, 2011, new, mandatory federal crib rules require that all cribs manufactured and sold after that date must meet new and improved safety requirements. Older cribs do not meet the new standard and can have a variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov

Yu Wei Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at jcpenney Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

Ballard Designs Recalls Step Stools Due to Fall Hazard

Description: This recall involves Ballard Designs "Stafford" step stools made of wood painted black or white. "Ballard Designs" is printed on a sticker under the bottom of the step. "Made in China" is printed on the underside bottom of the step stools. Also printed on the underside bottom of the step stools is one of the following five numbers: 100097963, 100099019, 100097230, 100100584 or 100102942. All recalled stools also have four plastic tabs affixed to the feet of the step stool.

Sold at: Ballard Design stores in Florida, Georgia and Ohio, through Ballard Designs catalogs, on www.ballarddesigns.com and www.hsn.com from July 2009 through May 2011 for about $80.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the four plastic tabs from the feet of their step stools. Instructions are available online at www.ballarddesigns.com under the Product Safety page or by contacting Ballard Designs at the number below. Ballard Designs is directly contacting all known purchasers.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Ballard Designs toll-free at (888) 606-2627 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday or visit the firm's website at www.ballarddesigns.com

Tab on bottom of step stool

Ballard Designs Recalls Step Stools Due to Fall Hazard

FOOD ALERT: Calif. Lettuce Recall Covers 19 States, Canada - KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho |

SALINAS, Calif. (AP) - A California farm that issued a voluntary lettuce recall over listeria contamination concerns says its notice has gone out to 19 states and Canada.

True Leaf Farms of Salinas initially announced a recall of 90 cartons of romaine lettuce shipped to Oregon, Idaho and Washington.

But the chief executive of Church Brothers, which sells and markets the farm's produce, clarified Saturday that the recall involves nearly 2,500 cartons.

CEO Steve Church says most cartons went to institutions such as restaurants and cafeterias, which were notified about the recall. He says only 90 cartons went to retail sales, and those were the ones mentioned in the initial announcement.

The company issued the recall after a random check by federal officials found a sample tested positive for listeria. No illnesses were reported.

FOOD ALERT: Calif. Lettuce Recall Covers 19 States, Canada - KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho |

NHTSA upgrades probe of 382,000 Saturn Ion cars | Reuters

Safety regulators have upgraded an investigation of more than 382,000 Saturn Ion cars for possible steering problems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the engineering analysis after it and Saturn, a brand General Motors Co discontinued in 2009, received more than 4,000 complaints about sudden loss of electronic power steering assist in cars from model years 2004 through 2007.

Sixteen of the complaints said the power steering warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of power steering assist and the increased effort required to steer contributed to a crash, according to documents filed by NHTSA. Two of the crash claims indicated the driver was injured.

NHTSA also said GM had received 17,385 warranty claims related to the issue.

A GM spokesman said the automaker was cooperating with NHTSA.

Last year, GM recalled 1.05 million Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles to correct a defect in the electronic power steering assist motor, according to NHTSA. The defect was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material that caused the motor to stop functioning; "the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles," NHTSA said.

Previously NHTSA investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in model year 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles.

In May 2011, GM provided safety regulators with complaint, warranty and power-steering system information for the Ion, as well as the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu, according to NHTSA. In that response, GM indicated the power-steering system used in those vehicles was the same as that used in model year 2005 to 2010 Cobalts and Pontiac G5s.

NHTSA said it has duplicated the power-steering system failure in both a Cobalt and an Ion previously tested.

NHTSA upgrades probe of 382,000 Saturn Ion cars | Reuters