The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Recall of the Week: Slim-Fast canned shakes recalled due to possible health risk

All Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans are being recalled due to the possibility of bacterial contamination.

Unilever United States Inc. said the products may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus, a microorganism that may cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

The recall involves all Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans, regardless of flavor, Best-By date, lot code, or UPC number.

No other Slim-Fast products – such as powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars – are part of the recall.

See the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announcement for details, which includes a link that lists all ready-to-drink recalled products.

The company is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue, and will resume production and shipment of the product when the issue has been addressed and corrected.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged to discard them immediately.

Call Unilever at 800-896-9479 for information or details on how to obtain a refund. The Consumer Services Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

To learn about other recalls, see www.recalls.gov for details.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

‘Brain drain’ predicted – again – as boomers get ready to retire

Before the Great Recession, the Internet and newspapers were abuzz with articles about the bad shape American companies and government agencies would be in when large numbers of baby boomers retired.

With so many people, including boomers, out of work, the topic hasn’t come up much lately. In fact, many articles have been written about boomers working well beyond retirement age.

However, in a recent report, Ithaca College sociologist Stephen Sweet says, as millions of baby boomers prepare to retire, “the inevitable talent drain threatens to alter the national economy.”

The report – "The Pressures of Talent Management" – examined talent management practices at 696 organizations across the 10 leading sectors of the economy.

“Four of every ten employers surveyed anticipate the aging workforce will have a negative impact on their business over the next three years,” said Sweet.

However, 77 percent of employers surveyed had not analyzed projected employee retirement rates or assessed employee career plans.

In 2000, baby boomers represented the largest portion of the U.S. labor force at 48 percent. By 2010, they're projected to shrink to 37 percent of the workforce. As a result, some economists are predicting a shortage of 10 to 15 million workers in the coming decade, with large numbers of inexperienced workers in a dwindling labor pool.

U.S. companies need to start planning for this loss of workers, Sweet said, adding:

Employers should take advantage of programs designed to meet the evolving needs of employees nearing retirement, while at the same time meeting business needs by keeping experienced talent longer and ensuring business continuity.

That’s good advice. Boomers need flexibility, such as being able to work part time, if they stay in their jobs, or if they look for new ones.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Airlines slapped with precedent-setting fines for tarmac delay

Continental Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines have been fined $100,000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation for their roles in causing the passengers on board Continental Express flight 2816 to remain on the aircraft at Rochester (Minn.) International Airport for an unreasonable period of time on Aug. 8, 2009.

Continental also provided a refund to each passenger and offered additional compensation to acknowledge his or her time and discomfort. In addition, the department assessed a civil penalty of $75,000 against Mesaba Airlines, which provided ground handling for the flight, for its role in the incident.

These precedent-setting enforcement actions are the first enforcement orders punishing carriers for extended tarmac delays, as well as the first time a carrier acting as a ground handler for another airline has been punished for failing to properly help passengers leave an aircraft during an unreasonably long tarmac delay.

“I hope that this sends a signal to the rest of the airline industry that we expect airlines to respect the rights of air travelers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We will also use what we have learned from this investigation to strengthen protections for airline passengers subjected to long tarmac delays.”

The Aviation Enforcement Office’s investigation found that all three carriers violated the law that prohibits unfair and deceptive practices in air transportation for their respective roles in the incident, in which a Continental Express flight from Houston to Minneapolis/St. Paul operated by ExpressJet was diverted to Rochester due to bad weather in Minneapolis.
 
The aircraft reached Rochester about 12:30 a.m. and the passengers were stranded aboard the aircraft until approximately 6:15 a.m. when they were finally deplaned into the terminal.

In November 2008, the department proposed a rule to enhance airline passenger protections, including a provision that would require airlines to adopt contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays and incorporate them in their contracts of carriage.  A final rule is expected by the end of this calendar year.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

‘Capitalism’ the movie calls for consumer action

Having missed the opportunity to see Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story” when it briefly played at local movie theaters, I was pleased to see it’s being shown at our local alternative theater.

As a consumer specialist who’s written about consumer issues for three decades, I think the movie has a lot to offer.

When I studied consumer economics at Washington State University and The Evergreen State College, the role of the consumer in the economy was emphasized. Consumers have power in the economic system and a role to play that’s as important as the roles of business and the government.

However, consumers don’t often use their power. Instead, they identify with the producer interests of the companies they work for. Consumers don’t join groups and work for their economic interests. They’re influenced by advertising and capitalistic rhetoric.

While “Capitalism” did a good job of reporting on the abuses of the capitalistic system, especially what went wrong to create the Great Recession, it was outstanding in its call to consumer action.

We need to create new systems that help working people, the people on Main Street not Wall Street.

Look for groups that are working in your community on issues such as affordable housing, health care, the environment, economic justice, and simple living.

To find a Public Interest Research Group in your state, see the Web site of U.S.PIRG.

National groups that are worth working with are: Public Citizen, Center for Science in the Public Interest, and the Environmental Working Group.

We can improve the economic situation of consumers in this country. But we need to get back the power that has been usurped by corporate interests.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Stork Craft drop-side cribs that can entrap and suffocate infants

More than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo, are being recalled by Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia.

The recall involves about 1.2 million cribs distributed in the United States and nearly 1 million in Canada.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges parents, grandparents, and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and don’t attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side, the commission advises.

The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break or deform, or parts can fall off. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts.

All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When detached, a space is created between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to suffocation.

Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

The commission, Health Canada, and Stork Craft are aware of 110 incidents of drop-side detachment; 67 incidents occurred in the U.S. and 43 in Canada. The incidents include 15 entrapments; 12 in the U.S. and three in Canada. Four of the entrapments resulted in death.

Included in these incidents are 20 falls from cribs; 12 in the U.S. and eight in Canada. Fall injuries ranged from concussion to bumps and bruises.

The recall involves drop-side cribs with plastic hardware, but doesn’t include cribs with metal rod drop-side hardware.

See the commission’s announcement for information on how to identify the recalled cribs.

Advertisement

Major retailers in the U.S. and Canada sold the recalled cribs including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com. The cribs were sold from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400.

For additional information, contact Stork Craft toll-free at 877-274-0277 anytime to order the free repair kit, or log on to www.storkcraft.com.

Class action lawsuits are being filed in Canada against Stork Craft Manufacturing, ConsumerAffairs.com reports in its article “Stork Craft Facing Wave of Lawsuits.” The article also discusses flaws in Canadian consumer protection laws exposed by the crib recall.

To learn about other recalls, visit www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Giving to others on Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is a time of love and joy, when we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our many blessings.

Although you may be busy with holiday preparations and money is tight for most of us, it’s a good time to remember, for those who are able, those who are less fortunate.

Here are some ideas for giving to others on Thanksgiving:

• Donate a Thanksgiving meal or food items to your local food bank.

• Visit older relatives or friends who are in nursing homes. If your relatives are far away, call a local nursing home and ask about residents who would be cheered by visitors.

• Make a donation to your local women’s shelter.

• Find out if you have any farms nearby that have community supported agriculture programs and join one. Consumers buy shares in the farm and in return receive boxes of produce during the growing season.

• Volunteer at a Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and others in need in your community.

• Volunteer your time and vehicle to deliver meals or to drive people to community Thanksgiving dinners.

• Donate items or money to second-hand stores.

• Do research and find out ways you can help Native Americans in need.

• Organize a fund-raising effort at work to help those in need on Thanksgiving or donate if a program or project already is in place.

• Invite extra guests to your Thanksgiving dinner, people who are alone or neighbors who may have lost their jobs.

• Be sure to check out any organization you’re considering donating to at the Better Business Bureau Web site and the agency in your state that registers charities.

Have a joyous Thanksgiving Day and holiday.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Thanksgiving 2009: Facts and figures

Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving.

What’s happening in American on Thanksgiving 2009? Here's a rundown on the numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.

117 million

Number of households across the nation – all potential gathering places for people to celebrate the holiday.

250 million

An estimate of turkeys raised in the U.S. in 2009. That’s down 8 percent from 2008. The turkeys produced in 2008 weighed 7.9 billion pounds and were valued at $4.5 billion.

Food

45.5 million

An estimate of turkeys Minnesota expected to raise in 2009. The top turkey state is followed by North Carolina – 37.5 million; Arkansas – 28 million; Missouri – 21 million; Virginia – 16.4 million; and California – 15 million. The six states account for about two-thirds of U.S. turkeys produced in 2009.

709 million pounds

The forecast for U.S. cranberry production in 2009. Wisconsin is expected to lead all states with 400 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts with 190 million. New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington are also will be large producers, growing from 16 million to 54 million pounds.

1.8 billion pounds

The total weight of sweet potatoes produced in 2008 by major states that grow them. North Carolina, with 874 million pounds, produced the most sweet potatoes followed by California with 437 million pounds and Mississippi with 335 million pounds.

1.1 billion pounds

Total production of pumpkins produced in the major pumpkin-producing states in 2008. Illinois led the country with 496 million pounds. California, Pennsylvania, and New York each produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all pumpkins grown by major pumpkin-producing states was $141 million.

794,777 tons

The 2008 production of snap green beans in the major states that grow them. Of this total, Wisconsin led all states with 320,200 tons.

The turkey industry

$3.8 billion

Forecast 2009 receipts to farmers from turkey sales.

Price

$1.33

Retail cost per pound of a frozen whole turkey in December 2008.

Places with Thanksgiving names

Three

Number of places in the U.S. named after the holiday’s traditional main course. Turkey, Texas, was the most populous in 2008, with 456 residents, followed by Turkey Creek, La. – 361 – and Turkey, N.C. – 272. There are also nine townships around the country named Turkey, three in Kansas.

Five

Number of places and townships in the U.S. that are named Cranberry or some spelling variation of the berry (for example, Cranbury, N.J.). Cranberry township in Butler County, Pa., was the most populous of these places in 2008, with 27,194 residents. Cranberry township in Venango County, Pa., was next with a population of 6,795.

28

Number of places in the U.S. named Plymouth, as in Plymouth Rock, the landing site of the first Pilgrims. Plymouth, Minn., is the most populous, with 71,486 residents in 2008; Plymouth, Mass., had 55,705. Just one township in the U.S. is named "Pilgrim." Located in Dade County, Mo., its population was 128 in 2008. The population of Mayflower, Ark., was 2,231 in 2008.

Whatever your Thanksgiving traditions, I hope you have a day of love, peace, and joy.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Gas grills being recalled due to fire and burn hazards

Perfect Flame SLG Series Gas Grills, about 663,000 in the United States and about 1,700 in Canada, are being recalled due to possible burn hazards to consumers.

Manufactured in China by Lucas Innovation Inc. and imported by L G Sourcing Inc., of North Wilkesboro, N.C., the grill’s burners can deteriorate causing irregular flames and the lids of some models can catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards to the consumer, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The firm has received about 40 reports of fires from the burners deteriorating and about 23 reports of the lids catching fire. The firm is aware of one report of an eye injury requiring surgery and 21 incidents of minor burns to the hands, arms, or face, according to the commission.

The recalled grills are SLG series "Perfect Flame" brand outdoor propane or natural gas grills. The grills are stainless steel and painted black or gray metal.

See the commission’s announcement for the model numbers involved in the recall. The model number can be found in the compartment under the cooking chamber. No other Perfect Flame model numbers are included in this recall.

The grills were sold at Lowe’s retail outlets nationwide from September 2005 through May 2009 for between $200 and $550 (U.S.) and in Canada from December 2007 through May 2009 for between $200 and $250 (Canada).

Consumers should immediately stop using the grills and contact L G Sourcing to receive free replacement burners and, depending on the model of the grill owned, a free replacement lid, the commission advises.

For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at 888-840-9590 anytime or visit www.lowes.com.

To learn about other consumer products that are being recalled, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 Thanksgiving Tips

Need help to figure out how to have the best Thanksgiving celebration ever?

Here are 10 ideas to help you.

1. Tasty recipes

Try some exciting new recipes. Some ideas are Herb-Roasted Turkey with Cider Baste; Turkey Cutlets with Spinach, Crab, and Asiago Cheese Sauce; Roasted Diced Yams With Smoked Paprika; and Pumpkin Cake With Snow Glaze and Spiced Vanilla. Read the recipe two or three times to understand it before preparation or practice the recipe a week before Thanksgiving.

2. Harvest table decorations

Use small white pumpkins, a candle placed atop a pumpkin and surrounded with flowers, or harvest vegetables for centerpieces.

3. Delicious, inexpensive wines

Select one of the wines from this list of recommendations to complement your Thanksgiving dinner.

4. Turkey thawing

Use FoodSafety.gov to figure out how long it will take a frozen turkey to thaw. For example, a 12- to 16-pound turkey will thaw in three to four days in the refrigerator.

5. Pie storage

Refrigerate pies made with eggs, including pecan, after you’ve cooled them quickly and after you serve pieces. Fruit pies can be covered and stored on the counter for up to two days, but for best quality refrigerate, especially in a warm climate.

6. Activities for kids

Check out this list of Web sites to pick out activities for your children to help keep them occupied during the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Thanksgiving. Also think through jobs that you can give them to help with holiday preparations.

7. Stress reduction

Stay calm by planning ahead, meditating, being flexible, and asking people to help.

8. A green Thanksgiving

Think green by simplifying the day, using candles, serving locally grown food, and offering organic beverages.

9. Road trip savings

Save money if you’re traveling by properly inflating your tires, driving at or under 60 milers per hour, using public transportation, or renting a fuel-efficient vehicle.

10. Thanksgiving vacations

Take a vacation during the Thanksgiving holiday and visit your family at another time of the year.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How to choose a facility for your mammogram screening

Years ago, when I wrote about the possible dangers of radiation doses from mammograms, I followed the consumer recommendations to call facilities that offer mammograms and ask about the age of their equipment, equipment certification, and technician training.

In recent years, I’ve been lax about this important consumer research.

However yesterday, when listening to reports on National Public Radio about the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, I heard a doctor talk about the importance of selecting the best facility to do your mammogram.

The quality of mammography screening varies widely across the country. It’s important for baby boomer women to call the facilities they’re considering and ask questions.

To make a list of facilities, you can get information about local Food and Drug Administration-certified mammography facilities at the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service line at 800–4–CANCER or 800–422–6237. Also, a list of these facilities is on the FDA’s Web site at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMQSA/mqsa.cfm.

Here are questions to ask the facilities on your list:

• When did you purchase your equipment? Does the FDA certify it? When was the last inspection? Tell me about your maintenance program. Does the equipment produce digital or film images? Digital technology is newer, but it isn’t known yet whether is produces better results than film.

• How skilled are your technicians? Where were they trained and how long was the training? Do your technicians update their training?

• What's the expertise of the radiologist who interprets the films? Where was he or she trained? Do you have a radiologist that spends more than 50 percent of the time working in breast imaging?

• Does your facility specialize in mammograms? How many mammograms do you do a day?

• Does your facility do audit reviews at least twice a year, and is the radiologist routinely given the results of these reviews? Audit reviews are a form of quality control. The facility should compare the mammogram interpretations with the results of the breast biopsies in order to regularly test the accuracy of the radiologists’ decisions.

• What dose of radiation does your equipment emit for a mammogram?

When you get to the facility for your mammogram, ask to see the MQSA certificate and check its expiration date. MQSA means the Mammogram Quality Standards Act. MQSA regulations also require mammography facilities to give patients an easy-to-read report on the results of their mammogram.

If you are satisfied that the facility is of high quality, continue to go there on a regular basis so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year.

For more information, see “Choosing a Mammogram Facility” and “How to Select a Mammography Facility.”

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist