Lawsuits you should know about

On Wednesday the Sony company recalled certain laptops because they might overheat.  The recall involves the Vario F11 and CW2 laptops.  A firmware update has been issued and Sony urges all owners of Vario F11 and CW2 laptops to install it as soon as possible.

The recall involves a total of 535,000 machines worldwide and about 233,000 in the United States.  They only affect certain models within the VPCF11 and VPCCW2 series of computers.  Here’s  a list of the affected models (from Sony’s website):

VPCF11 Series: VPCF111FD, VPCF111FD/B, VPCF111FX, VPCF111FX/B, VPCF111FX/H, VPCF112FX, VPCF112FX/B, VPCF112FX/H, VPCF113FX, VPCF113FX/B, VPCF113FX/H, VPCF114FX, VPCF114FX/B, VPCF114FX/H, VPCF115FM, VPCF115FM/B, VPCF115FM/BL, VPCF116FX, VPCF116FX/B, VPCF116FX/H, VPCF117FX, VPCF117FX/B, VPCF117FX/B, VPCF117FX/H, VPCF1190X, VPCF119FX, VPCF119GX, VPCF119HX, VPCF11AFX, VPCF11AFX/B, VPCF11BFX, VPCF11BFX/B, VPCF11CGX, VPCF11CGX/B, VPCF11DGX, VPCF11DGX/B, VPCF11EGX, VPCF11EGX/B, VPCF11FGX, VPCF11FGX/B, VPCF11GGX, VPCF11GGX/B, VPCF11HGX, VPCF11HGX/B, VPCF11JFX, VPCF11JFX/B, VPCF11KFX, VPCF11KFX/B, VPCF11KFX/H, VPCF11LFX, VPCF11LFX/B, VPCF11LFX/H, VPCF11MFX, VPCF11MFX/B, VPCF11NFX, VPCF11NFX/B, VPCF11NFX/H, VPCF11PFX, VPCF11PFX/H, VPCF11QFX, VPCF11QFX/B and VPCF11QFX/H

VPCCW2 Series: VPCCW21FX, VPCCW21FX/B, VPCCW21FX/L, VPCCW21FX/P, VPCCW21FX/R, VPCCW21FX/W, VPCCW22FX, VPCCW22FX/B, VPCCW22FX/L, VPCCW22FX/P, VPCCW22FX/R, VPCCW22FX/W, VPCCW23FX, VPCCW23FX/B, VPCCW23FX/L, VPCCW23FX/P, VPCCW23FX/R, VPCCW23FX/W, VPCCW26FX, VPCCW26FX/B, VPCCW26FX/L, VPCCW26FX/P, VPCCW26FX/R, VPCCW26FX/W, VPCCW27FX, VPCCW27FX/B, VPCCW27FX/L, VPCCW27FX/P, VPCCW27FX/R, VPCCW27FX/W, VPCCW29FX, VPCCW29GX, VPCCW2AFX, VPCCW2AFX/B, VPCCW2BFX, VPCCW2BFX/B, VPCCW2CGX, VPCCW2CGX/B, VPCCW2DGX, VPCCW2DGX/B, VPCCW2EGX, VPCCW2EGX/B, VPCCW2FGX, VPCCW2FGX/B, VPCCW2GGX, VPCCW2GGX/B, VPCCW2HGX, VPCCW2HGX/B, VPCCW2JGX, VPCCW2JGX/B, VPCCW2KGX, VPCCW2KGX/B, VPCCW2LFX, VPCCW2LFX/B, VPCCW2LFX/L, VPCCW2LFX/P, VPCCW2LFX/R, VPCCW2LFX/W, VPCCW2MFX, VPCCW2MFX/PU, VPCCW2MFX/WJ, VPCCW2MGX, VPCCW2MGX/B, VPCCW2NFX, VPCCW2NFX/LU, VPCCW2PFX, VPCCW2PFX/L, VPCCW2PFX/R. VPCCW2PFX/W, VPCCW2QGX, VPCCW2QGX/B, VPCCW2RGX, VPCCW2RGX/B, VPCCW2SGX, VPCCW2SGX/B, VPCCW2TGX, VPCCW2TGX/B, VPCCW2UFX, VPCCW2UFX/B, VPCCW2VFX, and VPCCW2VFX/B

The problem is that there is a risk of malfunction in the recalled computers, specifically a “potential malfunction of the internal temperature management system” resulting in a possible burn hazard for users.  If the firmware update is installed it should take care of any potential overheating issues.  There is no need to return the laptops to the store where they were purchased according to the company’s website.

If consumers need assistance in installing the firmware update you can call (866) 496-7669.

If you have Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops or Honey Smacks in your pantry you’re going to want to read this.

Today The Kellogg Co. issued a voluntary recall of these cereals that were sold in the United States.  This voluntary recall was issued because of a substance in the package liners that produces a strange smell and taste.  Consumers said some of these smells and tastes could be described as stale, metal or soap like.  The company said the potential for health complications is low but wanted to remove the products because some consumers might be overly sensitive to these odors and there is the possibility that the product could cause symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.

The products being recalled are the breakfast cereals Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks.  The products under the recall have the letters “KN” following the “better if used before date” on the box.

Here is a list of the recalled cereals and the specific information:

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

If you have one of these cereals in your home you can contact the Kellogg company at *888) 801-4163 to get a replacement for your purchase.

Five more lots of McNeil Consumer Healthcare products have been voluntarily recalled by the company.  This recall is an extension of the January, 2010 recall of several McNeil Consumer Healthcare products because of a musty or moldy smell associated with the product.  The company inadvertently omitted these lots from the original recall.

Four lots of Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets, 100 count, are affected by this recall.  The lots affected are: AJA008, ADA194, ABA022, ABA264.  The products have an NDC number of 50580-226-10 and UPC code of 312547170338.  One lot of Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Tablets, 50 count, is also affected.  The lot number is: ASA202, with an NDC number of 50580-488-50 and UPC code of 300450488503.

If you own the recalled products you can contact the company on information for getting a replacement product or a refund of the purchase price.  You can contact the company by phone at 888-222-6036 Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time, and 9 am to 5 pm Eastern Time on Saturday and Sunday) or visit their product reall site by clicking here.

GE and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of GE Front Load Washers.  If you own one of the recalled products you should stop using it and contact the manufacturer for more information.

The reason for the recall is due to fire and shock hazards.  There is a problem where a wire can break in the machine and make contact with part of the metal wash tub.  This can cause smoke, fire and shock hazards.  GE reported that they are aware of seven incidents with the recalled product in which flames escaped the washer and caused minor damage, but no injuries.

Here is a list of the GE Front Load Washing Machines that are involved in the recall:

Model Number Begins With:  WBVH5

Serial Number Begins With: AM, AR, AS, AT, DM, DR, DS, FM, FR, FS, GM, GS, HM, HR, HS, LM, LR, LS, MM, MR, MS, RM, RR, RS, SM, SR, SS, TM, TR, TS, VM, VR, VS, ZL, ZM, ZR, ZS
You can find the model and serial numbers on your washing machine, located on the bottom right side and on the bottom door frame.  These GE Front Load Washers were sold in various retail stores nationwide from December 2006 to May 2010.

If you have a recalled washing machine you should unplug it from the wall and contact the company for a free repair.  You can contact GE at 800-345-4124 between 8 am and 5 pm ET Monday to Friday, or visit their website.  Click here for a link to the site.

Kroger issued a recall on some of its packages of Deluxe Chocolate Paradise Ice Cream because it might contain tree nuts, a fact that was not disclosed on the label.  The recall affects this product and its 48 ounce size, with a sell by date of Jan. 24, 2011.  The sell by date is located under the UPC code on the package (the UPC code should read 11110 50712 on the recalled packages).

This recall affects ice cream sold by Kroger in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also affects the product sold in its affiliated stores Jay C, Food 4 Less, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Indiana and Illinois.

If you purchased the recalled Kroger Ice Cream you can get a refund of the purchase price at any Kroger or Kroger-affiliated store.  Here is a phone number where you can contact the company with questions about the recall: 800-632-6900.

The reason for this recall by Kroger is because the ice cream could contain tree nuts.  If you or your family members are not allergic to tree nuts there is no safety issue in eating the recalled ice cream.  If you are allergic to tree nuts the fact that they exist in this product and it wasn’t disclosed can be a significant health risk.  One of the most common food allergies around is an allergy to tree nuts.  The physical reaction a person can have to exposure to tree nuts is significant, even if the person is only exposed to trace amounts of the product. 

For more information about the Kroger Ice Cream recall you can also visit their website.  Click here for a link to their page on recalls.

It’s a repairman’s worst nightmare – 1.7 million Maytag dishwashers have been recalled. The dishwashers, sold between February 2006 and April 2010, have an electric failure in the heating element which can result in a fire.

So far, Maytag has received 12 reports of the heating element in their dishwashers causing fires and/or damage to the dishwashers. One consumer reported extensive damage to the kitchen due to the dishwasher fire. There have been no reports of any injuries due to the electrical failure.

The models involved in the recall are Maytag, Amana, Jen-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley. The dishwashers came in black, bisque, white, silver, and stainless steel fronts. Dishwashers that begin or end with the following serial numbers are involved in the recall. Serial numbers may be located on the left side of the door opening.

Serial numbers starting with: NW39, NW40, NW41, NW42, NW43, NW44, NW45, NW46, NW47, NW48, NW49, NW50, NW51, NW52, NY01, NY02, NY03, NY04, NY05, NY06, NY07, NY08, NY09, NY10, NY11, NY12, NY13, NY14, NY15, NY16, NY17, NY18, NY19

Serial numbers ending with: JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, JN, JP, JR, JT, JV, JX, LA, LC, LE, LG, LJ, LL, LN, LP, LR, LT, LV, LX, NA, NC, NE, NG, NJ, NL, NN, NP, NR

Consumers who own these recalled dishwashers can choose between having the heating element repaired and receiving a rebate towards the purchase of a new dishwasher. Contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513 or at the company’s website.

McDonald’s has issued a voluntary recall of 12 million “Shrek” glasses sold throughout the country to promote the latest installment of the film, “Shrek Forever After.” The glasses were sold between May 2010 and June 2010 and there are four designs: Shrek, Fiona, Puss n’ Boots, and Donkey.

The glasses, sold for $2 each, were found to be made with paint which contained cadmium. Cadmium is potentially hazardous to humans, believing to cause kidney, lung, intestinal, and bone damage. It was discovered that the glasses contained paint with cadmium when an anonymous tip was received by Congresswoman Jackie Speir’s (San Francisco) office and additional testing was done.

Consumers who purchased these glasses should return then them to their closest McDonald’s for a refund. Additional information can be obtained by calling McDonald’s at (800) 244-6227 between 9 am and 5 pm CT Monday through Friday or by visiting the company’s website at http://www.mcdonalds.com.

Hewlett-Packard Co. has issued an extended voluntary recall of certain HP and Compaq notebook computers that use lithium-ion batteries due to fire and burn hazard. This is a extension of a recall issued in May 2009 when 70,000 units were recalled.

The company has received numerous reports of batteries that ruptured after overheating, which cause minor personal injury and property damage.

Among the notebooks involved in the recall include:

HP Pavillion (model numbers dv2000, dv2500, dv2700, dv6000, dv6500, dv6700, dx6000, dx6500, dx6700, dv9000, dv9500, and dv9700)

Compaq Presario (model numbers A900, C700, F500, F700, V3000, V3500, V3700, V6000, V6500, and V6700)

HP (model numbers G6000 and G7000)

HP Compaq (model numbers 6510b, 6515b, 6710b, 6710s, 6715b, 6715s, and 6720s)

Model numbers can be found at the top of the service label on the bottom of the notebook.

These models of HP and Compaq were sold at computer and electronic resellers as well as online at hp.com and hpshopping.com from August 2007 until July 2008 for between $500 and $3,000.

Owners of these notebooks should immediately remove the batteries and contact HP at their web site or by calling (888) 202-4320 Monday through Friday from between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT for a replacement battery.

Just a week after Freshway Foods recalled bagged romaine lettuce due to a possible E. coli 0145 outbreak, Vaughn Foods has recalled its romaine lettuce. The recalled bags are dated use by May 9 and May 10. The bags were sold to restaurants and food-service facilities.

The Freshway Foods lettuce recalled last week was sold in Alabama, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a Yuma, Arizona farm where it believes the lettuce was harvested.

So far, 10 people from Michigan, seven from Ohio, and two from New York have become sick from the lettuce. Three of the 19 sickened have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be life threatening. It is believed that as many as 10 others have also become sick after eating the lettuce, but that has not been confirmed yet.

The FDA is asking that consumers not eat take-out salads sold in salad bars and delis at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh Stores.

E. coli 0145 causes diarrhea (which can be bloody) and abdominal cramps. If you have eaten lettuce and are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Nine models of Graco drop side cribs, made by LaJobi, have been voluntarily recalled due to hardware on the drop side breaking and detaching it from the crib. Infants can become wedged or trapped in the drop side which can cause suffocation, strangulation, or the baby to fall. There have been 99 reports of hardware problems, but the two children entrapped were freed by caregivers. One child that fell from the crib received a mild concussion.

A total of 217,000 of the cribs, which have cherry, espresso, natural, and white finishes, have been recalled. The Graco cribs involved in the recall are:

Ashleigh Drop Side model numbers 3280142, 3280154, and 3280181
Hampton Drop Side model number 3080136
Jason Convertible Drop Side model numbers 3290235, 3290254, and 3290281
Kendal Drop Side model numbers 3570170 and 3570181
Lauren Drop Side model numbers 3250235, 3250242, 3250247, 3250254, 3250281, 3250282, 3150281, and 3150282
Rachel Convertible Drop Side model numbers 3300236 and 3300281
Sarah Drop Side model numbers 3000135, 3000136, 3000142, 3000147, 3000154, and 3000181
Shannon Drop Side model numbers 3010136, 3010154, and 3010181
Tifton Drop Side model numbers 3090136 and 3270136

The cribs were sold at retailers and children product stores throughout the U.S. from February 2007 until March 2010 for between $140 and $200.

If you have one of these cribs, stop using it immediately and contact LaJobi at (888) 842-2215 or on their website for a hardware retrofit kit.