Cereal Recall: Kellogg Recalls Four of Their Cereals

Associated Press just reported that Kellogg has issued a recall for four of their cereals.

“Kellogg Co. is voluntarily recalling about 28 million boxes of Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks cereals, saying a "waxy" smell and flavor coming from the package liners could make people sick, the company said Friday.”(AP)

There have been 20 people, so far, that have complained of the smell, and 5 of them reported nausea and vomiting. If you have these cereals in your home, and have concerns about them, you can call the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888-801-4163.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Working in consultation with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) is implementing a voluntary recall of certain breakfast cereals due to an uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell coming from the liner in the package.
Only products with the letters "KN" following the Better If Used Before Date are included in the recall. Products with a "KM" designation are NOT included in the recall. In addition, no products in Canada are affected.
Kellogg's® Apple Jacks®
UPC 3800039136 1: 17 ounce package with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 10 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039132 3: 8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between JUN 03 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Corn Pops®
UPC 3800039109 5: 12.5 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039111 8: 17.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039116 3: 9.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 05 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Froot Loops®
UPC 3800039118 7: 12.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039120 0: 17 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039125 5: 8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Honey Smacks®
UPC 3800039103 3: 15.3 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
While the potential for serious health problems is low, some consumers are sensitive to the uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell and should not eat the recalled products because of possible temporary symptoms, including nausea and diarrhea.
No other Kellogg's products are part of this recall. The recalled products were distributed nationwide.
"We apologize to our consumers and our customers and are working diligently to ensure that the affected products are rapidly removed from the marketplace," said David Mackay, president and chief executive officer, Kellogg Company.
Those with questions or who would like a replacement may contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888-801-4163 from 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time.
SOURCE Kellogg Company

McDonald's Shrek Forever After™ Glassware Recall

On our way home from the beach Saturday, we stopped at a McDonald’s to make use of their facilities and to get McFlurry’s. I ordered the snack size ones, and they were great.

I noticed a sign posted on the counter about a recall on the Shrek Forever After™ Glassware. The sign didn’t say why, so I checked their website for more information.


“McDonald’s® USA Voluntarily Recalls Shrek Forever After™ Glassware
Instructions for Returning Glassware Will be Posted on Company’s Web Site
OAK BROOK, Ill. (June 4, 2010) – In collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and as a precautionary measure, McDonald’s USA today issued a voluntary recall of its four Shrek Forever After™ glassware recently offered in its U.S. restaurants. Customers should stop using the glasses and visit www.mcdonalds.com/glasses beginning June 8 for instructions on how to return them and get a refund.”

You can visit their website for the full Press Release. The glasses are being recalled because of the cadmium present in the glasses.

“When the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approached McDonald’s about cadmium in their current movie-themed drinking glasses, the company responded quickly, agreed to cooperate fully and acted on the side of caution,” said Scott Wolfson, Director of the Office of Information and Public Affairs, CPSC. “The glasses have far less cadmium than the children’s metal jewelry that CPSC has previously recalled.”

If you have these glasses, you can return them to McDonald’s.

How To Help Ensure Your Autistic Child's Safety

Child Safety is an important issue for all parents. For an autistic parent, it can be difficult to assure our child's safet. I asked Wendy Goldband, Co-Author of the book "Dangerous Encounters; Avoiding Perilous Situations with Autism - A Streetwise Guide For All Emergency Responders, Retailers, and Parents" the following question:

We here on the news about autistic children being mistreated in school, arrested by the police, restrained and mistreated. How can parents prevent these things from happening to their child?

Below is her answer. I hope you find this as informative as I did.

There is no question that the community at-large including emergency responders, retailers, and educators need autism sensitivity and safety training, and there are ways parents can see that it happens in their community. Emergency responders and parents working together will bring more autism awareness to the community and make each of their jobs easier. Ultimately, however, it is the parent’s responsibility to keep their child with autism safe. The police are not going to knock on your door and ask if you have a disabled child so they will know to watch out for him. Your neighbors aren’t automatically going to know how to react when they see your child acting oddly. It is your responsibility to introduce your child to his community. It is your responsibility to teach your child with autism basic safety rules just as you would a typical child. It is your responsibility to create a safe environment. Here is a list of steps you can take in order to do that so you can prevent serious situations from arising.

1. Safety-proof your home

2. Install screen doors and alarms
Prevent your child from potential mishaps like wandering out of his room and falling down the steps, running out of the house, going to the kitchen and getting a knife, or turning on hot water and burning himself. Replace the bedroom door with a screen door. This way your child has access to the world, but you can also lock the door, if necessary, and still know what he/she is doing. You can also put a screen door with a good lock on your front entrance. That way your child can enjoy looking outside without running out of the house. Don't forget to teach how to open the door in case of emergency or if you get locked out.

You can also install alarms that sound if the door is opened. You'll know immediately if your child has opened the door, and even better, your neighbors will know that when they hear the alarm they should look out for your child.

3. Use emergency alert decals
Another way to make your home safe is with emergency alert decals. Start with a decal for firefighters that alerts them to the fact that a child with autism is in a particular room. Put one on your car window that says "Emergency notice – person with autism on board." Make sure it lists behavior characteristics like “may not respond” and “may be nonverbal.” Now others will be alerted if you’re in an accident.

4. Carry an autism emergency ID card
You should also carry an autism identification card with you in case you’re in an accident and unable to communicate. You need to be sure that people on the scene will know how to approach your child. Choose whatever is most important for strangers to know when approaching your child like nonverbal autistic. Also don’t forget to include your updated telephone and address, contact persons, and important allergies. Carry the laminated ID in your wallet with your license or hang it with your keys.

5. Have your child wear an Emergency ID tag
An ID tag helps identify your child in an emergency situation. If he/she were to run or you lost track of him, this tag would help strangers identify and communicate. If your child cannot tolerate a tag hanging on the neck or wrist, attach one with the shoelace to the shoe.

6. Introduce your child in public places you frequent
Go to all the local stores, introduce your child, and explain the disorder. Talk to mall security, your local bus drivers, and of course, your neighbors.

7. Hold an Awareness Day
Awareness Days are another very effective way to inform your community about autism and your child. My co-author, Bill Davis, loves these. He holds barbeques in his backyard for the community. Announce it in the local paper’s calendar and advertise it with flyers. Give out pamphlets and other informational items about autism that you can get from your local Autism Society of America chapter. Invite the local police chief, the mayor, the press, the school administrators and faculty, and your state representative.

8. Register your child
Another thing to do is go to your local police precinct, fire department, ambulance department, and hospital and register your child in their data banks. Give them some pamphlets about autism and a small discussion about your child, where you live, and your phone number. That way if an emergency situation involving your family arises, they will already be aware of what to expect. Provide them with vital information like nonverbal autistic, uses pictures, bites, can become aggressive, etc.

9. Contact your local paper
Call the local newspapers and ask, “Hey, have you done anything on autism? My child has the disorder and I thought you might like to do a little story on what autism is and how we care for him.”

10. Give training sessions to your local emergency workers and schools
My co-author found that it was quite easy to arrange these trainings. He just called up the local training officer of his police department and the persons in charge of the emergency room and paramedic departments. All he said was, “I’m a dad of a child with autism who lives in your neighborhood. It’s important that you know this disorder and I’d like to come and train you about safety.” At the sessions, If you just tell them what you know about the disorder itself and how to handle only your own child in these situations, you can’t go wrong. Of course, you can give them a copy of our book that goes into step-by-step details for each type of responder and the situations they might find themselves in. You're waking them up what the disorder is, you're giving them a tool, and you're keeping your child safe. If your training sessions are successful why not take them a step further and give educational presentations to professional associations for social workers, speech therapists, and occupational therapists? Be sure to include pediatricians too.

11. Teach safety procedures to your child
This may be the last thing I mention, but it is no less important. Teach your child how to cross the street, not to leave the house, to stay by you when you shop, how to talk to strangers, how to get help, car safety, and fire safety. Practice buckling the seat belt and what to do if locked in the car accidentally. Practice how to answer a stranger asking him his name. Repeat fire drills in the house. Does your child know what a red light means and how to cross the street? Practice! Can he successfully go up and down an escalator? What about revolving doors? The list in endless, but must be addressed if you want to keep your child safe.



Wendy Goldband, MSW, is a Registered Representative and Insurance Producer with an expertise in special needs and long term care planning. She is the former Long Term Care Senior Marketing Manager for Crump Insurance Services, the largest life insurance brokerage in the nation. Author of Breaking Autism’s Barriers and Dangerous Encounters:Avoiding Perilous Situations with Autism, she believes in both the physical and financial safety of your special needs child.

Train Collides with SUV Killing 2 Boys

Last night, in Durham, North Carolina, a train collided with a SUV and killed two young children. The 6 and 9 year old boy were thrown from the SUV and pronounced dead at the scene. The mother was taken to Duke University.


The SUV was stopped on the RR tracks and blocked in by traffic when the warning arms came down. When I heard about this, I said a prayer that it wasn’t me and my kids. No one knows yet why the SUV was stopped on the RR tracks.

I am always careful when crossing RR tracks and when stopping at them. Even when you think that it is safe, because you don’t hear a train coming, you should never park on or close to RR tracks. I cringe whenever I see someone park past the line and under the warning bar. There are a lot of lights that have RR tracks going across the road just before the light. I have seen many cars parked on, or close to, the RR tracks because of the line of cars at a red light.

You never know how long you will be at a stand still at a red light. You can not predict when a train is going to come. It is important, for your safety and your family’s, that you follow the law and park behind the white line. This incident was horrible, but maybe a few lives can be saved by learning this horrific lesson.

Are Zhu Zhu Pets Safe for Autistic Children

As you know, the CPSC has confirmed that the popular toy Zhu Zhu pets is safe. It is “not out of compliance with the antimony or other heavy metal limits.” My concern is, as a parent of an autistic child, I have been told that an item is safe for children, yet have found that it is not safe for my child.

A lot of our children are more sensitive to toxics than other children. They say that the amount of toxic metals contained in these toys are within government guidelines. My concern is that they do not say that these toys do not contain any of the toxics.

As a parent of an autistic child, this concerns me a lot. I do love these toys, and so do my children. However, I have to think about their health and safety. I contacted a representative of Zhu Zhu Pets via email. Here is a copy of what I asked and his reply. I contacted the CPSC and I have it and their reply copied below.


My email request:

I've been keeping track of what has been going on. I have that the CPSC has issue a statement that the toys are safe for normal play, although I don't see their statement on their website yet. My question is whether or not they are safe for autistic children. Our children are not known for playing normally. Some can be violant with their toys, others tend to mouth them. Under these circumstances, does the company believe that our children are safe? Thank you.

Tammy Lessick

Response received:

The CPSC confirmed that Zhu Zhu Pets meet their safety standards. You can see the article that was posted this morning in the Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-zhuzhu-pets8-2009dec08,0,7448175.story?track=rss. Cepia has also posted the results of the tests to the zhuzhupets.com web site if you’d like to take a look for yourself. - Company Representative

My email request:

Good afternoon. I am in need of follow-up information about the safety of the Zhu Zhu Pets. I have read that the CPSC has issued a statement that they are safe for normal play. My publiccation centers around autistic children. Our children are not known for playing with their toys normally. Many can be violent with their toys or mouth them. Many of our children also have weak immune systems and are more sensitive to metal toxins. My question is, are these toys, under these circumstances, safe for our autistic children?

Response received:

Tammy,
See our statement below re: Zhu Zhu Pets.
Thanks, Nychelle
“CPSC confirmed today that the popular Zhu Zhu toy is not out of compliance with the antimony or other heavy metal limits of the new U.S. mandatory toy standard. CPSC will continue to evaluate safety issues on toys as they arise.”


Nychelle (Nikki) Fleming
Public Affairs Specialist
Office of Information & Public Affairs
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

The toys are safe. They are within the government’s guidelines. We are told the same thing about vaccines, yet for some of our children, vaccines were harmful. Did you notice that neither one actually answered my question? What do you think? Are Zhu Zhu pets safe for autistic children?

Adventure Playset and Other Recalls

With the Zhu Zhu Pets recall scare, I thought it would be a good idea to check what the latest recalls issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are. I found a couple that I thought I should share.

The first one is a crib recall that was actually first announced in 2001, but are still being used by parents that are not aware that they have been recalled.

"Name of Product: “Molly” and “Betsy” Cribs

Units: About 400 (This recall was first announced in December 2001

Manufacturer: LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J.

Hazard: The cribs have cut-outs in the end panels that can allow young children to get their heads entrapped, which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of the death of a one-year old girl whose head and neck became entrapped in the headboard cut-out of the “Betsy” style crib in 2003 in Mississippi, following the 2001 recall. No additional incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves both “Molly” and “Betsy” style wooden cribs. The end panels on the "Molly" style cribs are made of solid wood with openings on both sides. The end panels on the "Betsy" style cribs are constructed with wood slats. The model numbers are printed inside the headboard at the bottom."

The second is a child's hoodie that you may want to check to see if your child has. No injuries or incidents have been reported, but the potential is there.

"Name of Product: “Hello Kitty” Zip Up Hoodie Sweatshirts

Units: 1,200

Distributor: NTD Apparel, of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: The sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation 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 or sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The “Hello Kitty” hoodie has an appliqué on the right chest and screenprint on left chest and left sleeve. They were sold in black with silver lining and in sizes 2T, 3T, 4, 5, 6 and 6X. NTD APPAREL, D1592H7273, RN#116180 is printed on the neck label and care label.

Sold at: Macy’s and Dillard’s department stores nationwide from November 2008 through December 2008 for $36."

The third is a kitchen blender.

"Name of Product: Blenders

Units: About 53,800

Importer: Haier America Trading, L.L.C., of New York, N.Y.

Manufacturer: Ka Po International Industrial Co., of Hong Kong

Hazard: The blade assemblies of the blenders may come apart or break, posing a laceration risk.

Incidents/Injuries: Haier America has received approximately 60 reports of blade assemblies coming apart or breaking. One consumer reported receiving a minor cut to his hand.

Description: This recall involves commercial-style 500-watt blenders with model number HB500BSS. The units are stainless steel and black plastic. “Haier” is printed on the front below the power switch, and the model number is printed on a label on the bottom of the blenders.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and specialty retailers nationwide from November 2006 through October 2009 for between $26 and $60."

The final product that I want to share is the Adventure Playsets Wooden Play Sets.

"Name of Product: Adventure Playsets Wooden Play Sets

Units: About 275,000 in the United States and 6,800 in Canada

Distributor: Adventure Playsets, of Amarillo, Texas

Hazard: The plastic coated lumber on the horizontal ladder (monkey bar/swing beam) can weaken over time due to rotting of the whitewood (spruce, pine and fir species), resulting in a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Adventure Playsets has received more than 1,400 reports of rotting ladders involving 16 injuries that resulted in nine emergency room visits. The injuries include two arm fractures, lacerations, scrapes, and bruises to children younger than 8 years old. Most of the reported injuries occurred when the swing came out of the monkey bar/ swing beam that had rotted.

Description: This recall involves wooden play sets with swings, slides and ladders. Each set has an overhead monkey bar ladder that acts as both the monkey bar and swing beam, and an end ladder coated with cranberry or green plastic. The instruction manual has the name “Adventure Playsets” and one of the following model numbers printed on the cover."

For more information about these product recalls, please visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety site.

No Recall on Zhu Zhu Pets or ZuZu Pets As My Daughter Spells Them

This is a quote from their website about the safety of the Zhu Zhu Pets. Please refer to my previous post for more information.

Manufacturer of Zhu Zhu Pets Confirms Safety of Mr. Squiggles Toy
and Offers Validation of Testing Protocol
Hottest toy of the holiday season passes the industry's most stringent consumer health
and safety certification standards
St. Louis (December 5) -- Cepia LLC, the manufacturer of Zhu Zhu Pets, says
that its Mr. Squiggles toy is “absolutely safe and has passed the most rigorous testing in
the toy industry for consumer health and safety.” This statement is in response to a report
made earlier today by Good Guide that alleges Mr. Squiggles contains unsafe levels of
antimony.
"We are disputing the findings of Good Guide and we are 100% confident that
Mr. Squiggles, and all other Zhu Zhu Toys, are safe and compliant with all U.S. and
European standards for consumer health and safety in toys”, said Russ Hornsby, CEO of
Cepia LLC.
“All our products are subjected to several levels of rigorous safety testing
conducted by our own internal teams, as well as the world’s leading independent quality
assurance testing organization, and also by independent labs engaged by our retail
partners,” Hornsby said. “The results of every test prove that our products are in
compliance with all government and industry safety standards.”
Test results show Mr. Squiggles, as well as all other Zhu Zhu Pets products, are
well within U.S. government standards and these results have been certified by the
world’s leading independent testing organizations.
Rigorous testing and inspection procedures are in place for all Zhu Zhu Pets
products to assure that the toys are completely safe. Working in conjunction with
representatives from governing toy industry and trade organizations, we have made
certain that all Zhu Zhu Pets products are regularly and frequently tested through an
independent testing service, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, the global
leader in Quality Assurance.
The Zhu Zhu Pets products are tested in laboratories several times during
production, and again before they ship from the factory. The testing laboratories that
conduct Zhu Zhu Pets product testing are accredited by the largest national and
international bodies and adhere to the strictest protocol for testing. In fact, all Zhu Zhu
Pets testing exceeds the levels for products distributed in the US, by passing the EN71
test required for products distributed in Europe.
"We are contacting the Good Guide people at this moment to share with them all
of our Mr. Squiggles and Zhu Zhu Pet testing data so we can get to the bottom of how
their report was founded,” Russ Hornsby said. "We want to assure everyone already
enjoying Mr. Squiggles or other Zhu Zhu Pets, and those planning to purchase Mr.
Squiggles or another Zhu Zhu Pet this holiday season, that the toy is 100 percent safe and
in compliance with all U.S. and European toy safety standards. I have been in the toy
industry for more than 35 years, and being a father of children myself, I would never
allow any substandard or unsafe product to hit the shelves. That’s why we always test to
not only meet but also exceed safety standards."

Toy of the Year Awards

This time of year, we take a long, hard look at toys. Our children have created their wish list of the latest “hot” toy of the year. New toys are hitting the shelf and we ask ourselves “Are they safe?” and “Are they appropriate for our child?” We check all over the internet for toys that are on the recall list in order to make sure we don’t buy that one for our child. We hunt out the “in” toys for the year. This year, I can’t afford to get that many gifts for my kids. A couple each will be it. That’s why I like these two sites that I am writing about today. Studying both sites will give me the ability to pick out the best toys for my money . I will be able to go out and buy a couple of “popular” toys, yet still remain in budget and be assured that they are safe and developmentally appropriate.

There are two sites that can answer all of your questions. First, to locate the top toys on the market now, you can visit TOTY (Toy of The Year). Whatever category of toys you are looking for, you will find the best listed here. From toys for boys to toys that are educational, this site will have the top toys listed in each category, who makes it, what it does and what the MSR is.

The second site, ToyInfo.org, gives you all the information you need for toy safety. You get the latest in recalls and safety guidelines you should follow when purchasing a toy for your child. I like the Stages of Play list that they have. Through the years, it has been difficult to purchase toys for my son. Intellectually, he is 10, but his fine motor skills are extremely below that. Toys are usually labeled by age, so it is nice to be able to look at a list and see what developmental skills are attributed to that age range.

You can also go and vote for your favorite toy in each category at Toy Awards. After you vote, you can enter to win all of the toys in one of the categories. The winner will be notified January 31st, 2010. Good luck.

Guardian Angel Bracelet ID Review

Does your child wander away from you when you are out in public? Mine does. It is so scary, because my son doesn't talk. For children with difficulties communicating, their safety is always at risk. As parents, we do everything we can to keep them safe, but we are only human. It takes just a second or two, the time it takes for a parent to turn and get an item off the grocery shelf, for a child to be gone. They move really fast, don't they?

What can we do? One thing that you can do is have your child wear an ID bracelet. Guardian Angel Bracelets sent me a packet of their ID bracelets to review. There are ten in the packet, which are waterproof with secure locks, one waterproof marker, and free safety tips. You can easily write your cell phone number on it before securing the ID bracelet onto your child's wrist. Hopefully, it will never be necessary for you to see the benefits of your child wearing this bracelet. I found them easy to put on, although my son resisted at first. You can purchase them at Guardian Angel Bracelets. Use the code: learning and get 20% off of your purchase.

Yamaha Rhino Injuries

Safety is a primary concern for all parents. One of my biggest concerns is allowing my children to use an all terrain vehicle that is commonly used by adults and children. They are loved and bring a lot of joy to kids. They can also be dangerous. Even taking safety precautions, helmets and arm and knee pads, can prove to be useless in a vehicle that can turn over and trap a child underneath. At the lowest speed, these vehicles can still overturn.

The Yamaha Rhino is one vehicle that has a history of injuries and death. The defects of the Yamaha Rhino have led to broken arms, broken legs, and serious head injuries. The defects of the Yamaha Rhino are as follows:
• No doors on the passenger compartment
• No handholds inside the passenger compartment
• Narrow wheel base
• Small tires
• High center of gravity
Yamaha blames the drivers for the injuries. They claim that the vehicles were being used inappropriately, yet offered doors and passenger handholds free to owners of the 2004-2007 ATV models. It seems to me, that if they are willing to do this, then they recognize that they are at fault to some degree. For more information about the Yamaha Rhino, you can visit Yamaha Rhino Rollover

Child Locator from My Precious Kid

On Autism Awareness Twitter day, I won a Child Locator from My Precious Kid. I just got it today. I love it. I checked out the range by leaving the little bear on one side of the house, and went to the other side of the house to see if I could hear it. I could. Thumbs up for that. It is small and easy to operate. Two thumbs up for that, because if something is complicated, I am less inclined to use it. Cheers also for the batteries already installed. Nothing worse then having to go out and find special batteries.

The Child Locator is available in brown and pink. The specs are as follows:

1. The Teddy Bear Receiver delivers a loud 56 DB intermittent chirp/beeping sound that functions over 150 Feet away from the Keychain Transmitter.

2. Available in Pink or Brown.

3. Teddy Bear Dimensions: 2 5/8" L x 1 1/2" W.

4. Keychain Transmitter Dimensions: 2 1/4".

5. Both units are water and shock resistant, with long-life batteries already installed.

My son is a wanderer. Going grocery shopping can be challenging at times. It is amazing how quickly he can move when I turn to get something off the shelf. Now, I don't have to run all over the store to find him. I also love the fact that it is small and easy to attach to his belt or shoes. I most definitely recommend this product.