Recall Roundup: Migraine Medicine, Hair Mousse, Riding Lawn Mowers and More

May 11th, 2011

WalletPop.com

By: Linda Doell

Keeping track of the latest product and food recalls can be a challenge, so Consumer Ally has collected them in one place for you to check each week.

Here is this week’s roundup:

Ortho-McNeil Neurologics recalled about 57,000 bottles of the migraine and seizure medicine Topamax after four consumer complaints about a foul odor.
My Michelle recalled about 90,000 girls’ dresses and tops sold at stores nationwide, because the decorative trim and jewelry contain high levels of lead.

Redken 5th Avenue NYC recalled about 1 million cans of its Guts 10 Volume Spray Mousse Foam because the liner can corrode and rupture, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The company has 41 reports of the cans rupturing. So far, no one has been hurt. CPSC lists the lot codes included in the recall. The mousse was sold in hair salons and beauty supply stores nationwide from January 1998 through February 2011 for between $4 and $16. Consumers should stop using the recalled mousse, record the product’s lot code and then discard the contents by spraying it into a waste container in a well-ventilated area. Consumers should contact Redken for information on receiving a refund at (888) 241-9504, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Coulter Ventures recalled about 5,500 Rogue Fitness Barbell Brackets because a weld between the bracket and pin can break, letting the weights fall, CPSC said. The company has three reports of the the weld breaking, including one report of a consumer who suffered a sprained wrist. Included in the recall are the Rogue Fitness J-Cup brackets used with Rogue Fitness SPX Squat Press Stand, R-3 Racks, R-4 Racks and Infinity Rigs. Consumers should contact the company for replacement brackets at (800) 454-6925, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, or via e-mail.

Cub Cadet recalled about 4,300 riding lawn mowers because a fuel leak can happen near the back mounting screws on the tank’s bottom, creating a fire hazard, CPSC said. Included in the recall are 10 models of 2011 Cub Cadet zero turn riding lawn mowers sold nationwide between February 2011 and March 2011 for between $3,600 and $7,000. CPSC lists the model numbers. Consumers should call Cub Cadet for a repair at (888) 848-6038, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Midwest-CBK recalled about 11,000 Monkeez & Friends wrist rattles and 12,000 baby booties in the United States and Canada because the pom-poms attached to them can come off, creating a choking hazard, the CPSC said. The company has received one report of a pom-pom detaching, although no one was hurt. The rattles and booties are made of knitted yarn, have a monkey head and a pom-pom on top. They were sold at gift stores, drugstores and other retailers nationwide from June 2009 through March 2011. Consumers should return them to the store for a refund. Call the company at (800) 394-4225, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

Lennox Industries recalled about 440 garage heaters because some were built without a required flame rollout switch — a back-up device that shuts down the heater if it fails, CPSC said. So far no one has been hurt using the heaters. The CPSC lists the model and serial numbers affected by the recall. Consumers should call Lennox for an inspection and a repair at (888) 584-2353, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

In a similar recall, Advanced Distributor Products (ADP) recalled about 400 of its ADP FOA series unit heaters because some of them were made without a flame rollout switch, CPSC said. No one has been injured using the heaters. The agency lists the model and serial numbers affected by the recall. Call ADP at (866) 303-8634, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Mexicantown Wholesale recalled all lots of its Pan Nuez, Magalena, Pan De Maiz, Yoyo and Taco De Pan Danes baked goods made between June 27, 2010, and Dec. 28, 2010, because the packaging did not list ingredients including pecans, milk, wheat and FD&C Yellow No. 5. So far no one has gotten sick from eating the baked goods, sold in Michigan stores. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists the UPC numbers affected by the recall. Consumers should call Mexicantown Wholesale for an exchange or refund at (313) 894-2000, ext. 105, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Waco’s Bestyett Sandwiches recalled its 3.5-ounce packages of Pimento Cheese Sandwiches and Chicken Salad Sandwiches because they contain eggs that aren’t listed on the packaging. The food was sold in convenience stores in Waco, Moody and Lorena, all in Texas. So far, no one has gotten sick from eating the sandwiches, the FDA said. Consumers should return them to the store for refunds. Call the company at (254) 753-8469 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

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Stocks Slide Worldwide

May 5, 2010

Bloomberg.com

by Lynn Thomasson and David Merritt

The MSCI World Index of stocks erased its 2010 gain, the euro weakened to a 14-month low and Treasuries rallied on concern Europe’s debt crisis is worsening. U.S. equities pared losses on signs of an improving economy.

The MSCI gauge of equities in 23 developed nations declined 1.2 percent at 10:40 a.m. in New York, leaving it down 1 percent for the year. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.7 percent to the lowest since March after sliding as much as 1.3 percent. Spain’s IBEX 35 Index slumped 2.3 percent to the lowest since July. The euro lost more than 1 percent against the dollar for a second day. Copper slid below $7,000 a metric ton, wile nickel tumbled 11 percent and oil dipped below $80 a barrel. The 10- year Treasury yield decreased 4 basis points to 3.55 percent.

European Central Bank council member Axel Weber said today there is a threat of “grave contagion effects” as Moody’s Investors Service warned it may cut Portugal’s debt rating and three people were killed in an Athens fire set during protests against Greek austerity measures. More than $1.1 trillion was wiped from global stocks yesterday amid concern that rescues similar to Greece’s 110 billion-euro ($143 billion) package will be needed in Spain and Portugal.

“The reason we have to worry is, let’s face it, this is a global environment,” said Jason Pride, director of investment strategy at Glenmede in Philadelphia, which manages $18 billion. “The primary concern is the contagion risk associated with Greece and some of the other problematic nations in Europe and the follow-on effects on long-term economic growth. We may be in for more of a rough and volatile period.”

Plunge Extended

The S&P 500 added to losses from yesterday’s 2.4 percent rout, its biggest since February, as concern about contagion from Europe’s debt crisis overshadows growing evidence the U.S. economic recovery is gaining momentum. The Institute for Supply Management’s index of non-manufacturing businesses, which make up almost 90 percent of the economy, held at an almost four-year high of 55.4 for a second month. A report from ADP Employer Services showed private employers added 32,000 jobs in April, a third straight month of gains.

The benchmark index for U.S. stock options rose a second day to reach the highest intraday level in three months. The VIX, as the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index is known, jumped 4 percent to 24.88. The index, which measures the cost of using options as insurance against declines in the S&P 500, is down from a record 80.86 in November yet above its 20 average over its 19-year history.

Euro, Pound

The euro declined as much as 1.4 percent against the dollar to $1.2804, its weakest level since March 2009, and fell 0.9 percent versus the pound. Britain’s currency advanced against 14 of 16 of its most-traded peers as the U.K. entered its last day of campaigning before tomorrow’s election.

Traders are betting a Greece’s European Union-led bailout will fail to ease concern other indebted countries will need rescue packages. Investors demanded an extra 129 basis points to hold Spanish 10-year bonds instead of German bunds today, the most since the euro’s inception and up from 116 basis points yesterday. The difference for Portuguese bonds jumped to 295 basis points from 252 basis points.

Portugal may have its Aa2 credit rating cut by Moody’s Investors Service as the country struggles to reduce its budget deficit and revive economic growth, the latest sign that contagion from the Greek crisis is spreading.

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