Recalls - Jogging Strollers - Gas Cylinders - Backpack Blowers

1. Kelty Recalls Jogging Strollers Due to Fall and Injury Hazardshttp://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12116.html
2. Gas Cylinders Recalled by Worthington Cylinders Wisconsin Due to Fire Hazardhttp://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12117.html
3. ECHO Recalls Backpack Blowers Due to Fire Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12118.html

Final Rule: Temporary Non-agricultural Employment of H-2B Aliens in the United States

On February 21, 2012 the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division issued a Final Rule on the H-2B program that amends its regulations governing the certification of the employment of nonimmigrant workers performing temporary or seasonal non-agricultural labor or services and the enforcement of the obligations applicable to employers under the H-2B program. This Final Rule revises the process by which employers obtain a temporary labor certification from the Department for use in petitioning the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to employ a nonimmigrant worker in H-2B status. The final rule also introduces new regulations that provide increased worker protections for both U.S. and foreign workers.

Major features of the final rule include the creation a national electronic job registry for all H-2B job orders to improve U.S. worker access to these temporary jobs. The final rule also enhances recruitment of U.S. workers from across the country, increases the amount of time during which U.S. workers must be recruited and hired, and requires the rehiring of former employees when available.

The Final Rule is effective April 23, 2012.

More information is available at the Final Rule Website.

Recalls - Cruiser Bicycles and Mountain Bike Handlebar Stems

1. Fuji Recalls Women’s Cruiser Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard,http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12112.html

2. Shimano Recalls PRO Atherton Mountain Bike Handlebar Stems Due to Fall Hazard,http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12113.html

Serious Injuries Related To Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush by Arm and Hammer or Crest

Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush by Arm and Hammer or Crest: Safety Communication - Choking Hazard and Serious Injuries

ISSUE: FDA notified parents, caregivers, consumers, and dental care professionals about reports of serious injuries and potential hazards associated with the use of all models of the Spinbrush. These reports indicated that while turned on, the brush head has either “popped off” or broken off in the user’s mouth or near the face, causing cuts to the mouth and gums, chipped or broken teeth, swallowing and choking on the broken pieces, and injuries to the face and eyes. When the unexpected release of any part of the powered toothbrush occurs, there is a potential for serious injury. This risk is higher for unattended children or adults who may need assistance while using this device.

BACKGROUND: The Spinbrush line of powered toothbrushes is currently sold as the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush and until 2009 was sold as the Crest Spinbrush. The Spinbrush line is manufactured by Church & Dwight Co., Inc.      

See the FDA Safety Communication for FDA/manufacturer recommendations and product photos.

Prompt reporting of adverse events can help the FDA identify and better understand the risks associated with medical devices. If you suspect a problem with a Spinbrush, we encourage you to file a voluntary report through FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:             

• •                Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Read the MeDWatch safety alert, including links to the Safety Communication and Consumer Update, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm292239.htm

Infants' TYLENOL - Recall

Infants’ TYLENOL Oral Suspension, 1 oz. Grape: Recall - Dosing System Complaints

ISSUE: McNeil Consumer Healthcare notified the public of a recall of seven lots (approximately 574,000 bottles) of Infants’ TYLENOL Oral Suspension, 1 oz. Grape. There were complaints from consumers who reported difficulty using the Infants’ TYLENOL SimpleMeasure dosing system. SimpleMeasure includes a dosing syringe, which a parent or caregiver inserts into a protective cover, or “flow restrictor,” at the top of the bottle to measure the proper dose. In some cases, the flow restrictor was pushed into the bottle when inserting the syringe.

BACKGROUND: Infants’ TYLENOL is an over-the-counter (OTC) product indicated as a pain reliever/fever reducer. The product was distributed nationwide in the United States.

RECOMMENDATION: If the flow restrictor is pushed into the bottle, the parent or caregiver should not use the product. See the Press Release for lot number and UPC codes of affected product. Consumers can visit www.tylenol.com for additional information.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• •               
• •                Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the press release and product photo, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm292566.htm

Moex Offshore Settles In Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Moex Offshore Agrees to $90 Million Partial Settlement of Liability in Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

02/17/2012 01:07 PM EST

MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC has agreed to settle its liability in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in a settlement with the United States valued at $90 million, announced the Department of Justice, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today.

Children's Slides- Dancing Teapots-Tumblekins Recalls

1. Children’s Slides Recalled by Landscape Structures due to Fall Hazard,http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12109.html

2. Ganz Recalls Dancing Teapots Due to Burn Hazard, ttp://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12110.html

3. Tumblekins Toys Recalled by International Playthings Due to Choking and Laceration Hazards,http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12111.html

How Citibank Dumped Lousy Mortgages on the Government

by Cora Currier
ProPublica, Feb. 16, 2012, 5:34 p.m.

Citigroup agreed yesterday to pay $158 million to settle a lawsuit over bad loans that the bank passed on to the Federal Housing Administration to insure. The whistle-blower who originally brought the case, Sherry Hunt, an employee of Citi’s mortgage department, said the company actively undermined the process that was supposed to check for fraud in order to push through reckless loans and get higher profits.

Click Here To Read Complete Article

No More Robocalls Without Written Permission

Re:            Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, CG Docket No. 02-278

Today, we take action to further empower consumers to avoid unwanted “robocalls.”  

For decades, Congress and the Commission have recognized that consumers should have control over the telemarketing calls that come to their homes and mobile devices, and be able to stop the ones that they don’t want to receive.  The Commission and the FTC have long had rules to put consumers in control.  But despite these clear ground rules, too many telemarketers, aided by autodialers and prerecorded messages, have continued to call consumers who don’t want to hear from them.  Consumers by the thousands have complained to us, letting us know that they remain unhappy with having their privacy invaded and their time wasted by these unwanted calls.

Today, we respond to those consumers, providing consumers greater protection from unwanted robocalls.  First, before robocalling any consumer, telemarketers will now have to get that consumer’s written consent, which may be electronic.  Second, telemarketers will no longer be able to robocall a consumer simply because he or she has previously done business with that telemarketer – something our data and the FTC’s record show frustrates many consumers.  Now, written consent will be necessary for all telemarketing robocalls.

And to ensure that the consumer can easily change his or her mind even when written consent has been given, our new rules give consumers instant control: each and every telemarketing robocall will have to include an automated, interactive opt-out mechanism, so that a consumer can revoke consent by pressing just a few keys during the call.  The telemarketer will have to automatically add the consumer to the company’s do-not-call list and immediately disconnect the call.  We are also closing a loophole so that every single telemarketing campaign will have to comply with strict limits on the “dead-air” telemarketing calls that are so frustrating to consumers when they interrupt their dinners or other activities to answer the phone, only to hear nothing on the other end.

At the same time that we help consumers avoid unwanted robocalls, we do so in a manner that is minimally burdensome to businesses, including small businesses.  Because our rules largely mirror those the FTC applies to telemarketers in its jurisdiction, we have consistent rules applying to all telemarketers, and we avoid confusion for those telemarketers subject to both the Commission’s and the FTC’s rules.  In addition, we leave unchanged our rules for robocalls that are informational and that consumers may have come to rely on.  Some of these informational robocalls include automated calls that update consumers on airline flights, provide school notifications, or even warn them about fraudulent activity in their bank accounts.

I thank the staff from the Bureaus involved in this item for their diligent efforts, particularly the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, which worked closely with our Enforcement Bureau, Office of General Counsel, and the Wireline and Wireless Bureaus – and for their great work to empower and protect consumers.

Food Recalls - Walmart - Whole Foods - Summit Import Corp.

Walmart Recalls Cruller Bakery Pastries Due To Mislabeled Milk Allergen

02/11/2012 07:16 PM EST

Walmart recalled its eight-count packages of Cruller bakery pastries because the common name of milk was not listed following sodium caseinate, a milk derivative, on the ingredient label. People who have milk allergies that do not recognize sodium caseinate as a milk derivative run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the product.

Whole Foods Market Recalls Pumpkin Bundt Cakes For Undeclared Allergens

Whole Foods Market is recalling its 3 ounce and 26 ounce Pumpkin Bundt Cakes because the products contain undeclared milk. No illnesses have been reported to date, however people who have allergies to milk, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Summit Import Corporation Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Bin Bin Snow Rice Cracker 5.3oz Pack and Bin Bin Rice Cracker 15.8oz Bulk Pack