2008-2009 Pontiac G8: Recall Alert

General Motors is voluntarily recalling all 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 models for a front passenger airbag issue.

A notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site lists the potential number of affected vehicles at 38,444. Documentation from General Motors indicates the breakdown is 12,043 2008 model year Pontiac G8s and 28,401 for the 2009 model year.

2008 Pontiac G8

The NHTSA notice says the 2008 Pontiac G8s were built from November 2, 2007 through February 5, 2008, while the 2009 G8s were built from May 7, 2008 through January 22, 2009. The Detroit News reports that the G8s were manufactured in Australia by Holden and were imported to the U.S.

At issue is the front passenger airbag. During a 30 mph frontal barrier test, a 5^th percentile female anthropomorphic test device (ATD) exceeded the head injury criteria requirements for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, covering occupant crash protection. The NHTSA bulletin states that “with the front passenger seat positioned full forward, the seat position sensor will cause a 30 milliseconds deployment delay between the first and second stages of the dual-stage frontal passenger air bag.”

In the event of a crash, front seat occupants may sustain head injury as a result of this delay.

General Motors dealers will reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge to affected 2008-2009 model year Pontiac G8 owners. Although the manufacturer has not yet provided a customer notification schedule, Pontiac G8 owners with questions or concerns may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Alternatively, owners of Pontiac G8 vehicles involved in the campaign may contact the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov. Reference the NHTSA campaign ID No. 11V534000.

2008-2009 Pontiac G8: Recall Alert

Under Armour Recalls Chin Straps for Football Helmets Due to Laceration Hazard

Name of Product: UA Defender Chin Straps

Units: About 541,000

Retailer: Under Armour, Inc., of Baltimore, Md.

Importer: JR286, Inc., of Redondo Beach, Calif.

Hazard: The metal snap that connects the chin strap to the helmet has sharp edges, posing a laceration hazard when the user�s metal snap comes into contact with another player.

Incidents/Injuries: Under Armour has received six reports of injuries that required stitches.

Description: This recall involves all UA Defender Chin Straps. They were sold in the following colors: white and black, red, midnight, navy and royal and have a hard nylon shell, a padded chin area and a plastic strap with �Under Armour� printed on it. The chin straps have metal clasps that tighten the straps and attach them to the helmet.

Sold at: Sporting goods stores and Under Armour outlet stores nationwide and at www.underarmour.com from January 2008 through September 2011 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chin straps and contact Under Armour for a free replacement chin strap.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Under Armour toll-free at (888) 823-0343 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm�s website at www.underarmour.com

Under Armour Recalls Chin Straps for Football Helmets Due to Laceration Hazard

Libbey Glass Recalls Glass Bowls Due to Laceration Hazard

Name of Product: Fantasy glass bowls

Units: About 16,600 in the United States and 2,000 in Canada

Importer/Distributor: Libbey Glass Inc., of Toledo, Ohio

Hazard: The glass bowl can break when subjected to sudden temperature changes or impact, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a glass bowl breaking while being washed in a commercial dishwasher. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall includes the Fantasy glass bowls sold with a lop-sided shape with one side taller than the other. The bowls are made of clear, colorless glass and were sold in only one size as 8.5 ounces. The bowls measure about 5 3/8 inches in height on the tallest side and about 2 1/4 inches across the base.

Sold to: Commercial customers for use in foodservice establishments nationwide from August 2010 through September 2011. In addition, 48 bowls were sold to consumers at Libbey Outlet stores in Toledo, Ohio and Shreveport, Louisiana from August 2010 through September 2011 for about $6 to $7. Also, 45 bowls were sold to consumers at Home Outfitters in Canada from August 2011 through September 2011 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled glass bowls. Consumers can return the glass bowls to the point of purchase for a refund. Commercial customers should contact Libbey Glass Inc. to arrange for destruction of the product and receipt of a credit or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Libbey Glass Inc. at (800) 982-7063 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm�s website at www.libbey.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=1447

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Libbey Glass Recalls Glass Bowls Due to Laceration Hazard

Boy Scouts of America Recalls Cub Scout Wind Tech Jackets Due to Strangulation Hazard

Name of Product: Cub Scout Wind Tech jackets

Units: About 5,400

Importer: Boy Scouts of America, Charlotte, N.C.

Hazard: The jackets have retractable cords with toggles at the hood/neck area and at the waist, which can pose a strangulation or entrapment hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997, to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall includes the blue Cub Scout Wind Tech jacket sold in youth sizes. The jackets are nylon with a polyester lining, long-sleeve, with a full zipper front and a Cub Scout wolf head emblem embroidered on the upper left chest. SKU numbers 73291, 73292, and 73293 are printed on the hangtag that is attached to the jacket at retail.

Sold at: Boy Scouts of America retail outlets nationwide and online at www.scoutstuff.org from November 2009 through July 2011 for approximately $32.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the cords from these jackets to eliminate the hazard, or return the jacket to Boy Scouts of America for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Boy Scouts of America toll-free at (855) 873-2408 anytime or visit the firm�s website at www.scoutstuff.org

Boy Scouts of America Recalls Cub Scout Wind Tech Jackets Due to Strangulation Hazard

Italian Olives Recalled Over Botulism Concerns

Nearly a week after a woman in Finland died from botulism poisoning -- the result of eating tainted Italian olives -- a U.S. distributor is warning consumers not to eat Bio Gaudiano Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds because they may be contaminated with the Clostridium botulinum toxin.

The distributor, Pure Italian of Watertown, MA, together with the manufacturer and packer, Bio Gaudiano of Italy, are recalling all sizes of glass jars and cans and all lots of the Bio Gaudiano almond-stuffed olives, which were sold at the SoWa farmers market in South End, MA, and also distributed to other Massachusetts retailers.

The recalled organic olives sold at the SoWa farmers market were in 314 ml glass jar with a white label that reads Bio Gaudiano and a green twist-off metal lid with the lot number E0511X and an expiration date of 05/2013.

Other sizes and lots of the organic Italian olives went to unnamed Massachusetts retailers, according to the recall notice. The notice did not include label information on those products.

In Finland, two adults from the same household were hospitalized, and one died after eating Bio Gaudiano almond-stuffed olives. Both were diagnosed with botulism and their jar of stuffed organic olives was subsequently discovered to contain the toxin, the National Institute for Health and Welfare reported.

The Bio Gaudiano organic almond-stuffed olives implicated in the Finland botulism cases had the lot H2510X and an expiration date of 09/2012.

On Oct. 21, the Rapid Alert System for Foods and Feeds first posted a notice about the botulism poisoning in Finland and said the suspect olives had also been distributed to Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not publish a recall notice until Wednesday, Nov. 2.

In its news release, Bio Gaudiano said the U.S. recall was "a preventative and precautionary measure in the interests of consumers."

The company said consumers who purchased Bio Gaudiano Stuffed Olives with Almonds of any size or lot should not consume them, but may return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or discard them.

For more information contact Pure Italian LLC at 617-372-1659 or 617-331-2062 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, that can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Italian Olives Recalled Over Botulism Concerns

Battat Recalls Magnetic Sketchboards; Magnetic Pen Tip Poses Choking Hazards

Name of Product: Toulouse-LapTrec magnetic sketchboards

Units: About 95,000 in the United States and 4,300 in Canada

Importer: Battat Inc., of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Manufacturers: Rainbow Force Plastic Products, of China

Hazard: The magnetic tip of the drawing pen can dislodge from the pen, posing a choking hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Battat has received 19 reports of the magnetic tip separating from the pen. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Toulouse-LapTrec magnetic sketchboard, which has a white plastic writing surface bordered by either a red or brown plastic frame, and has a bean bag type backing. The sketch board has four animal shapes across the top – a rabbit, dog, cat and duck. The multicolored magnetic pen is affixed to the front of the sketchpad. The model number BX1026 (red frame) or BX1027 (brown frame) can be found on a paper wrapper that comes with the product at the time it was purchased.

Sold at: Target and Barnes & Noble stores nationwide and by various online retailers from March 2010 to March 2011 for about $16.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take recalled sketchboards away from children and contact Battat to receive a free replacement sketchboard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Battat toll-free at (866) 665-5524 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Battat’s website at www.battatco.com

Battat Recalls Magnetic Sketchboards; Magnetic Pen Tip Poses Choking Hazards

IKEA Recalls Wardrobe Mirror Doors Due to Laceration Hazard

Name of Product: PAX AURLAND wardrobe mirror doors

Units: About 1,700 in the United States and 500 in Canada

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

Hazard: The mirror glass can detach unexpectedly from the wardrobe door, fall and shatter, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: IKEA has received reports of 14 incidents, including one minor injury in Europe. No incidents have been reported in the U.S. or Canada.

Description: This recall involves a wardrobe door with full-length glass mirror with model number 101-604-51, supplier number 12650 and production weeks 1039 through 1048 (YYWW). The product name "PAX AURLAND" and "IKEA" and production week are printed on the rear of the mirror door on the lower edge. The mirror door is made of foil-coated particleboard and the mirror of glass. The mirror is secured with metal fastenings at top and bottom. The mirror door measures about 191/2 inches wide, 93 inches high and 7/8 inches thick.

Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from October 2010 through September 2011 for about $60.

Manufactured in: Sweden

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact their local IKEA store for instructions on returning the mirror wardrobe door for a free replacement door.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's website at 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=1444

IKEA Recalls Wardrobe Mirror Doors Due to Laceration Hazard

Kiddieland Recalls Disney-branded Fairies Plastic Trikes Due to Laceration 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: Disney Fairies Plastic Racing Trikes

Units: About 12,000 (9,000 Disney Princess Trikes were recalled in April 2011*)

Manufacturer: Kiddieland Toys Limited, of Scituate, Mass. (Note: Disney licensed their brand name to Kiddieland.)

Hazard: The plastic fairy figures protrude from the top of the handle bar posing a laceration hazard if a child falls on them.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Kiddieland have received one report of a 3-year-old girl from Ohio who suffered a facial laceration near her right eye.

Description: This recall involves the Disney-branded Fairies Plastic Racing Trike. The trike is green and purple with a white seat and yellow wheels. On top of the handlebar, there is a Tinkerbell figure and three other rotating fairy figures. "Disney Fairies" is printed on the label in front of the trike just below the handlebar.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from July 2009 through December 2009 for about $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the trikes away from children and contact Kiddieland for a free replacement handlebar with an enclosed rotating display.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kiddieland at (800) 430-5307 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.kiddieland.com.hk

*New model Princess Trikes do not have figurines and are not included in the recall.

Kiddieland Recalls Disney-branded Fairies Plastic Trikes Due to Laceration Hazard

Winchester® Hunting Knife Sets

Gerber Legendary Blades Recalls Hunting Knife Sets Due to Laceration 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: Winchester® Hunting Knife Sets

Units: About 13,000

Importer: Gerber® Legendary Blades, of Portland, Ore.

Hazard: The latching mechanism for the knife's interchangeable blades can unexpectedly fail and release the blade. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Winchester Hunting Knife Sets with model number 31-000801. The model number is printed on the back, lower right corner of the packaging. The knife sets have a single handle with a lock release button and four interchangeable blades. "Winchester®" is printed in red on the knife set's handle and is etched onto the side of each of the four blades.

Sold at: Sporting goods stores nationwide from July 2011 through September 2011 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled knife sets and contact the firm for a free replacement product of equal or higher value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Gerber Legendary Blades toll-free at (877) 314-9130 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.gerbergear.com

Foresee Invite

2008 Chrysler, Dodge Minivan Recall Address Airbag Issue

CNN Money recently announced that American car maker Chrysler has recalled “almost 300,000 model year 2008 minivans for a problem that could cause airbags to deploy unnecessarily.” These include the Chrysler Town & Country, Grand Voyager and the Dodge Grand Caravan, the news source explains.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the potential number of affected vehicles is 299,718. These minivans were manufactured between June 24, 2007 and July 30, 2008, the safety recall reports. The majority of these vehicles were sold in the United States, Family Car Guide reports, with 50,251 units being sold in Canada, 3,748 sold in Mexico, and 13,633 units sold for export.

CNN reports that “Chrysler had previously recalled these minivans to fix a condition in which condensation from the vans' air conditioners could leak onto the Occupant Restraint Control Module, a computer chip that controls the airbags.” Although the news source explains that “Chrysler dealers repaired the drainage system for the air conditioners so that water wouldn't drip onto the airbag controllers,” that fix might not have been sufficient. Due to these failed repair attempts, moisture may have leaked into the airbag controls anyway, causing the current problem.

The notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration further states that affected units could have condensation leaks from the HVAC grommet and that the leak could affect the occupant restraint control module. This could possibly cause the airbag warning light to activate and could also cause it to deploy with no warning. If the airbag were to accidentally deploy, the result could be injury to the person sitting in front of it as well as the possibility of a crash if it happened to the driver.

According to CNN, Chrysler maintained that there have not been any accidents or injuries in connection to the faulty airbags in units that were previously repaired after the earlier recall. The automaker said it would begin notifying customers with affected vehicles via letter and advising them to schedule an appointment for repair at a Chrysler dealership. The repairs will be at no charge to the customer.

Other recent recalls from Chrysler include 2006 through 2010 Jeep Wranglers for a brake fluid leak, 2009 Wranglers, Grand Cherokees and Commanders for reversed wiring on the airbag controls, and 2008 and 2009 Dodge Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country models for faulty wiring that could possibly lead to sliding door fires.

2008 Chrysler, Dodge Minivan Recall Address Airbag Issue