No Matter How Loyal, Nothing Safe from Recall
The names are familiar to children and adults alike: Pirates of the Caribbean, Winnie the Pooh, Barbie, Elmo. The brands are familiar too: Mattel, Banquet, Fischer-Price, J.C. Penny, and Dunkin Doughnuts. In the past few months, companies have asked you to check your closets and toy boxes for brightly colored but toxic toys, and your refrigerator for foods that may be unsafe too.
The recalls keep on coming -- poisonous pet food, contaminated chicken pot pies, brightly painted but toxic toys sold by trusted companies. Last week, Consumer Product Safety Commission reports the recall of a lead-laden Cub Scout merit badge!
With more than 400 recalled items each year, the challenge to consumers to stay informed is overwhelming. But the folks at Consumers Union are trying to make it a little easier with a new website: www.notinmycart.org.
The website presents the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls in a simple list with a quick photo. Convenient links also allow consumers to the USDA and the FDA for food recalls, and an easy form to complete to send a message to your representative in Congress asking for tougher oversight of the nation’s retail shelves.