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

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

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.

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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

Top 10 worst toys of 2009

W.A.T.C.H., World Against Toys Causing Harm, has announced its 2009 10 Worst Toys list. It includes:

1. Disney-Pixar Wall-E Foam Rocket Launcher
2. Moon Board Pogo Board
3. Curious Baby Curious George Counting – My First Book of Numbers
4. The Dark Knight Batman Figure
5. X-Men Origins Slashin' Action Wolverine
6. Lots to Love Babies – “Mini Nursery”
7. Just Kidz Junior Musical Instruments
8. Cat “Rugged Mini”
9. Pucci Pups Maltese
10. Spy Gear Viper-Blaster

See “2009 '10 Worst Toys’ List” for details on why these toys were selected and what W.A.T.C.H. thinks needs to be done to improve toy safety.

W.A.T.C.H. is a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation founded by Edward M. Swartz, a trial lawyer and child safety advocate. W.A.T.C.H. has been issuing its worst toy list since 1973.

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

Recall of the Week: Maclaren strollers recalled after 12 fingertips severed

About one million strollers, distributed by Maclaren USA Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn., are being recalled.

The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller.

The models included in the recall are Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveller.

Manufactured in China, the strollers were sold at Babies “R” Us, Target, and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit, the commission advises.

For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at 877-688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall.

Maclaren’s Web site went down when the recall was announced last week due to thousands of consumers trying to get information about the recall, according to an article on The Consumerist Web. It’s back up now and functioning for consumer use.

The Consumerist also reports that Maclaren was aware fingers could be amputated its strollers’ hinge mechanism. See the article “Stroller Company Maclaren Knew About Amputation Risk Five Years Ago.”

To learn more about recalls of consumer products, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 best small towns in America

Small towns with strong economies still exist. Along with a good economy, you can also find great schools, affordable homes, and low crime in these towns.

Here’s Money magazine’s list of America’s best small towns:

1. Louisville, Colo. (shown in photo)
2. Chanhassen, Minn.
3. Papillion, Neb.
4. Middleton, Wis.
5. Milton, Mass.
6. Warren, N.J.
7. Keller, Texas
8. Peachtree City, Ga.
9. Lake St. Louis, Mo.
10. Mukilteo, Wash.

See “Best Places to Live” for details on why these towns made Money’s list.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Fairbank Farms beef recalled due to E. coli outbreak; 28 illnesses, two deaths reported

Fairbank Farms, of Ashville, N.Y., is recalling about 546,00 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.


FSIS became aware of the problem during an investigation of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health and agriculture departments, FSIS determined that there is an association between the fresh ground beef products subject to recall and illnesses.

The cluster includes 28 persons from 12 states infected with matching strains of E. coli O157:H7, reports the CDC.  

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California – one; Connecticut – four; Massachusetts – eight; Maryland – one; Maine – two; Minnesota – one; New Hampshire – four; New Jersey – one; New York – one; Pennsylvania – two; South Dakota – two; Vermont – one.

States where persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 live, from Aug. 21, 2009, to Nov. 2, 2009

The first reported illness began on Aug. 18, 2009, and the last began on Oct. 10, 2009, according to the CDC. However, all but two patients reported becoming ill between Sept. 17 and Oct. 10, 2009.

Sixteen patients are reported to have been hospitalized, and three developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Two deaths have been reported, according to the CDC. Sixty-seven percent of patients are male and 43 percent are less than 18 years old.

Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a physician.



Among the stores that sold the recalled products are Trader Joes, Price Chopper, Lancaster and Wild Harvest, Shaw's, BJ's, Ford Brothers, and Giant. See the FSIS announcement for a list of the products recalled.

Most of the beef packages in the recall bear the establishment number "Est. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection and have identifying package dates of "091509" or "091609."

Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for beef products produced by this firm and purchased on or after Sept. 15, 2009. They should discard or return the recalled beef products to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers with questions about the source of a package of beef should contact the grocery store, club store, or meat market where they purchased it, advises the CDC.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors, and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.


FSIS and the CDC advise consumers to safely prepare raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F.

The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

See “Is It Done Yet?” for details and food safety resources.


Consmers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov.

A toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist