Between September 2006 and August 2007, Mattel imported almost 900,000 toys that violated rules on lead levels. Their subsidary Fisher-Price imported as many as 1.1 million.
Now the corporation is paying the price. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commision, the $2.3 million fine is the highest levied against a toy company. Thomas Moore, the acting commision chair, said,
This penalty should serve notice to toymakers that CPSC is committed to the safety of children, to reducing their exposure to lead and to the implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
As we all full well remember, the lead recalls caused panic among parents. Mattel’s negligence in manufacturing had the collective consumer culture in the States pointing a big fat finger at China as the cause of problems.
But it’s not only China.
[read the full article...]
In a sudden reversal, Transport Canada announced on Tuesday that it would release the results of hundreds of tests on child car seats conducted since 2003.
Prior to Tuesday, they were refusing to publicly release the six years’ worth of tests — paid for with the public dollar — because “there may be a potential for unfair material damage to the private sector without cause.”
On Monday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported on this issue. They learned that these tests were similar to ones carried out by the NHTSA in 2008, which revealed problems with some seats, such as failures in side impact crashes and numerous cases of infant seats detaching from their bases. These results led to recalls and changes in car seat safety policies.
As you might expect, this news prompted considerable backlash.
[read the full article...]
by Derek Markham on March 30, 2009 · 1 comment
As a family we are always looking for ways to cut down on our grocery bills. We like to cook with fresh herbs and use a lot of them, which starts to add up! So for at least half of the year we grow our own herbs on our windowsill. When you grow your own produce it tastes fresher, minimizes pesticide exposure, you don’t have to worry about recalls on tainted produce and you can have fun doing it as a family! Although, sometimes I have bad luck with growing certain herbs from seedlings which is why we are huge fans of Bonnie Plants.
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Heather Dunham recently wrote in praise of Maranatha Nut Butters… our family agrees that these fabulous spreads are worthy of praise, and we are pleased to offer a GIVE AWAY from MaraNatha (pronounced “mare-uh-Nah-thuh”).
I’m thrilled that not only are these nut butters produced in the United States and are in NO WAY related to any peanut butter recalls from PCA, but also that the MaraNatha Nut Butter Company facility is right here in Oregon (you may recall reading about Ashland and low vaccine rates on ECP).
Here is some information provided by MaraNatha about the Peanut Butter Recall and why we should continue to consume safe nut butters: (Stay with us after the jump for the GIVE AWAY) [read the full article...]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/epXNJNjYBvw&hl=en&fs=1]
As spring is in the air (when the north wind does not blow), I have begun longing for the good times my children and I have at the local farmers’ market and contemplating our participation as vendors this year. I can’t tell you how much we look forward to our weekly adventures at the farmers’ market, and how excited we are if we happen to visit a neighboring town on the day of their market; however, that could all change.
H.R. 875: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 could end farmers’ markets as we know it by requiring growers to register, be subject to inspections of their gardens by federal agents, and maintain safety records related to food production or face large fines.
[read the full article...]
Mattel. The name is no longer only synonymous with Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Polly Pocket. Now when you hear “Mattel”, it’s flashback time: to lead-laden, choketastic toys.
