Freezer gel packs can help keep food at a safe temperature when on the go. But be careful if a pack bursts and the substance inside oozes out. It may be toxic and anyone ingesting it could be poisoned. The week’s list of recalls includes two food carriers with gel packs that could put users at risk.
Here’s a list of this week’s recalls:
___
INSULATED LUNCH BOXES
DETAILS: Expandable insulated lunch boxes, sold as sets with freezer gel packs and aluminum bottles, imported by California Innovations Inc., of Toronto, Canada. The sets were made in China and sold at Costco Wholesale Clubs, Leon Korol and Cost U Less stores from May 2007 through September 2008. The lunch box is made of vinyl, polyester nylon and crushed nylon and has a logo with the words “Ci Sport” attached to the upper left corner. It has a carrying handle on the top and a mesh carrying pouch for the aluminum bottle on the side. The gel pack is a 6-inch by 4-inch transparent plastic pouch filled with blue liquid gel and the words “Cryofreeze” and “Ice Pack/Hot Pack” are printed in white letters on the front of it.
WHY: Gel that contains diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can leak out of damaged freezer gel packs. Anyone ingesting the substances could be poisoned.
INCIDENTS: California Innovations has received two reports of dogs chewing and ingesting gel from the gel pack. One dog reportedly died from ingestion of the gel. The other received treatment and has recovered.
HOW MANY: About 248,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-722-2545; visit www.californiainnovations.com .
___
INSULATED FOOD CARRIERS
DETAILS: Travelin’ Chef expandable insulated food carriers, sold as four-piece sets at Walmart stores from August 2008 through December 2011. The Chinese-made carriers were imported by California Innovations Inc., of Toronto, Canada. The sets include a light blue thermal carrier with black carrying handles, a freezer gel pack, a medium plastic food container and a large plastic food container. The gel pack is an 8.5-inch by 8-inch, opaque blue plastic pouch filled with liquid gel and the words “Cryofreeze” and “Ice Pack/Hot Pack” are printed in white letters on the front of it.
WHY: Gel that contains diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can leak out of damaged freezer gel packs. Anyone ingesting the substances could be poisoned.
INCIDENTS: None reported
HOW MANY: About 55,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-722-2545; visit www.californiainnovations.com .
____
LED FLASHLIGHT SETS
DETAILS: Sets of five LED flashlights of varying sizes with batteries, sold under the Superex SAFETO GO brand name. The Chinese-made sets were sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club from July 2011 through December 2011, and imported by BJ’s. The sets include one 9.5-inch flashlight, two 7.5-inch flashlights and two 6-inch flashlights, along with seven “D” size batteries and four “AA” batteries. The flashlights in the sets are made of either red or black plastic with black or gray rubber around the handles and light bases.
WHY: The flashlights can heat up, smoke or melt when turned on, posing fire and burn hazards.
INCIDENTS: BJ’s has received two reports of incidents, including flashlight overheating, and one burning and making a loud noise. One minor injury to a consumer’s hand has been reported.
HOW MANY: About 41,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-BJS-CLUB (800-257-2582); visit www.bjs.com/contact .
___
BABY RATTLE
DETAILS: Infant rattles imported by Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco. The rattles were sold at various Mexican specialty craft stores nationwide from February 2001 through October 2011. The rattles are made out of multi-colored, woven plastic and have a bell inside. They measure about 4 1/2 inches long. “Made in Mexico” and “Lee Carter Company” are printed on a tag on a purple plastic loop at the end of the rattle’s handle. The rattles were manufactured in Mexico.
WHY: The rattle’s handle is small enough to fit into a child’s throat, posing a choking hazard and violating federal rattle standards.
INCIDENTS: None reported
HOW MANY: About 25,000
FOR MORE: Call 415-824-2004; visit www.leecartercompany.com .
___
ACTION FIGURES
DETAILS: Super Luchamania Action Figures, depicting Mexican wrestlers wearing capes and masks, were imported by Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco and sold at various Mexican specialty craft stores nationwide from June 2000 through October 2011. The multi-colored plastic figures were sold in packs of 12, with each figure about four inches tall. “Super Luchamania” is printed on the packaging. The action figures were manufactured in Mexico.
WHY: Surface paint on the action figures contains excessive levels of lead, which is prohibited under federal law.
INCIDENTS: None reported
HOW MANY: About 7,000 packs
FOR MORE: Call 415-824-2004; visit www.leecartercompany.com .
___
BICYCLE HANDLEBARS
DETAILS: Bicycle handlebars imported by Euro Asia Imports, of La Crescenta, Calif., The Merry Sales Co., of South San Francisco, Calif. and Bicycle Technologies Intl., of Santa Fe, N.M. The bars were manufactured by Japan-based Nitto Co Ltd., and sold at bicycle specialty stores and dealers nationwide from January 2008 through July 2011. The Nitto aluminum bicycle handlebars were sold in red, blue, black, gold, green, pink and silver. “NITTO” and “B259” are printed at the end of the handlebars.
WHY: The recalled handlebars can break while the user is riding a bike, resulting in loss of control and the risk of a fall.
INCIDENTS: Two incidents of the handlebars breaking have been reported, including one involving a fall and a cut to the rider’s leg.
HOW MANY: About 2,000 in the United States and 70 in Canada
FOR MORE: Call 888-662-1814; visit http://www.euroasiaimports.com .
___
LAWN MOWER BLADES
DETAILS: Replacement blades for Ariens 48-inch lawn mowers manufactured by Blount International Inc., of Kansas City, Mo. The blades were sold at independent lawn and garden sales and service stores nationwide from January 2010 through September 2011. The U.S.-manufactured blades are sold under the “Oregon” brand name, which is printed on the surface of the blades.
WHY: The replacement blades can break during normal use, posing a risk that someone using the mower or a bystander could be hit by a sharp blade.
INCIDENTS: Blount has received seven reports of replacement blades breaking during use. No injuries have been reported.
HOW MANY: About 950
FOR MORE: Call 866-685-5449; visit www.blount.com .
