The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Kellogg recalls Honey Smacks cereal after Salmonella sickens dozens

Kellogg Co. is recalling some 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of its Honey Smacks cereal because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recall is based on preliminary evidence linking the cereal to more than 73 illnesses in 31 states. Twenty-four people, from age 1 to 87, have been hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths have been reported.

Kellogg launched an investigation with a third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks after being contacted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about reported illnesses.

60 people sickened in eight states after eating pre-cut melons

Caito Foods is recalling pre-cut fresh watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and mixed fruit containing one of the melons produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Sixty illnesses have been linked to the strain of Salmonella under investigation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caito Foods has stopped producing and distributing pre-cut melons as the company and as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continue their investigation.

The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Because products shipped between April 17 and June 7 could still be on store shelves, the recall is for retailers and consumers.

Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, Kroger, and Walgreens are among the stores where the pre-cut melons were sold. Click here for a list of products included in this recall.

Second recall issued for smoked sausage due to possible plastic contamination

A Texas meatpacker is recalling 9 tons of smoked sausage because it may be contamination with soft plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday.

In May, Eddy Packing Co. issued an earlier recall on nearly 25 tons of smoked sausage that was possibly contaminated with hard plastic.

The latest recall involves 10-pound cases of Carl's Pork and Beef Smoked Sausage on a Stick. The sausage packages have a lot code 8073, case code PS9319, a sell-by date of March 14, 2019. The USDA marker is "EST 4800.

Fiat Chrysler recalls 4.8 million vehicles because cruise control could get stuck in the ‘on’ position

Photo: IFCAR

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling more than 4.8 million vehicles because drivers may not be able to turn the cruise control off.

U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration strongly encourages vehicle owners to follow the FCA warning and not use cruise control until the cars, SUVs, and trucks are repaired.

If this error happens, drivers may be able to stop the vehicle by pressing the brake pedal. The vehicle can then be placed into park when it’s stopped. Drivers can also (1) shift the transmission to neutral, (2) forcefully apply the manual brake, and (3) put the vehicle in park when it stops.

Affected models, identified by FCA, are:

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling 1 million chainsaws because they may keep running after they're turned off

Harbor Freight tools is recalling about 1.02 million 14-inch electric chainsaws.

The power switch can malfunction and allow the chainsaw to continue operating after the operator moves the switch to the “off” position, posing a serious injury hazard to the operator.

Harbor Freight Tools has received 15 reports of chainsaws continuing to operate after being turned off, resulting in three lacerations including one serious injury to an arm requiring stitches.

35 cases of salmonella linked to eggs from Rose Acre Farms since outbreak, says CDC

More illnesses are being confirmed in an outbreak of Salmonella traced to eggs from Rose Acre Farms. The farm has now recalled more than 207 million eggs.

Since the outbreak was announced on April 16, public health officials have reported a dozen more cases of Salmonella infection to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Thursday, 35 people in nine states have been confirmed with Salmonella Braenderup, with 11 victims admitted to hospitals. No deaths have been reported. The states involved include Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Surface cleaners are being recalled by Briggs & Stratton due to injury hazard

Briggs & Stratton is recalling about 201,000 3000 PSI pressure washer surface cleaners in the United States and about 5,400 in Canada.

The surface cleaner’s spray bar can break and detach from the central hub, causing broken pieces to hit consumers, which is a potential injury hazard.

Briggs & Stratton has received five reports of spray bar detaching from the central hub, including one report of the spray bar hitting an operator, causing a cut on the knee that required stitches.

Surface cleaners are designed to clean a variety of outdoor surfaces including concrete, asphalt, and stone walkways. The cleaner connects to a pressure washer rated up to 3000 PSI.

Square D safety switches recalled by Schneider Electric due to electrical shock hazard

Schneider Electric is recalling about 1 million Square D brand general duty safety switches.

The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the “OFF” position, posing an electrical shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Square D brand General Duty 30 & 60A, 120/240-volt, 2-phase and 3-phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are a dark gray metal box with a black handle on the side that can be moved to an “ON” or “OFF” position. The “OFF” position is designed to shut off the flow of electricity.

Vortex electric space heaters being recalled by Vornado Air due to fire and burn hazards

Vornado Air is recalling about 350,000 VH101 Personal Vortex electric space heaters.

The electric space heaters can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

Vornado has received 15 reports of the heaters catching on fire.

This recall involves Vornado VH101 Personal Vortex electric space heaters sold in the following colors: black, coral orange, grayed jade, cinnamon, fig, ice white, and red. The heaters measure about 7.2 inches long by 7.8 inches wide by 7.10 inches high and have two heat settings, low and high, and a fan only/no heat setting.

Polaris fined for not disclosing unsafe ROVs, and safety agency recalls more of its vehicles

Polaris Industries Inc., a recreational off-road vehicle or ROV maker, has agreed to pay a $27.25 million penalty for failing to warn the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that some of its ROV models contained defects that could create a substantial hazard or that the ROVs created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.

It’s the largest civil penalty imposed by the commission. In addition, the agency also announced a series of recalls for some of Polaris’ ROVs.

The announcement is important because the commission, the nation’s chief product safety agency, should be serious about holding manufacturers accountable when they fail to inform it about unsafe products, said Remington A. Gregg, counsel for civil justice and consumer rights for Public Citizen, advocacy organization.