East County News Service

November 24, 2019 (San Diego) - CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationexternal icon (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California growing region. 

East County News Service

Photo:  Creative Commons

November 7, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – Over 2 million pounds of chicken products sold to institutions in eight states including California have been recalled by Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. due to metal contamination.

East County News Service

September 30, 2019 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning pet owners not to feed their pets any Performance Dog frozen raw pet food after a sample tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono).  Bravo Packing, Inc. Performance Dog products are sold frozen in two-pound plastic pouches.

East County News Service

September 6, 2019 (Chino, Calif.) -- American Beef Packers, Inc., a Chino, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 24,428 pounds of raw beef products that are deemed unfit for human consumption, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Aug. 31.

East County News Service  

August 7, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – The Acting Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today sent a letter to governors of all 50 states urging building code changes to protect consumers from a dangerous feature found in some residential elevators.  The letter follows a warning issued to consumers after several children became trapped in gaps between the elevator car door and room access door; the youngsters were crushed and died.

If you own a residential elevator, dangerous gaps can be eliminated by placing space guards on the back of the room access door or installing an electronic monitoring device that deactivates the elevator when a child is detected in the gap.  The CPSC urges consumers to contact their elevator manufacturer or an elevator installer to obtain these critical safety devices and protect children from this hidden hazard.

East County News Service

July 19, 2019 (Washington D.C.) - At least 93 people have been sickened, including 20 patients hospitalized due to pig ear dog treats contaminated with salmonella. The illness can also sicken pets. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – Before you throw some steaks or burgers on the barbecue this Memorial Day weekend, be aware that over 62,000 pounds of raw beef products have been recalled. The meats may be contaminated with E. coli, a dangerous bacteria that can cause diarrhea, cramping, kidney failure or death.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2019 (Escondido) – Escondido-based Henry Avocado Corporation is recalling avocados after a government inspection at a California packing facility resulted in testing positive for Listeria. The recalled products have stickers reading Bravocado” on the exterior.

Listeria can cause fever, stiffness, nausea, diarrhea and other symptoms. It may be fatal to young children, elderly people or others with weakened immune systems. It can also cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ABC news screenshot

February 6, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – Despite more than 90 complaints of BMW luxury vehicles bursting into flames while parked with engines turned off, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is not actively investigating the causes.

ABC News first reported the problem back in May of 2017 and called for a federal investigation. Since then, more than 30 new BMW fires have occurred—and still the federal government has failed to take action to protect consumers, Jason Levine, executive director at the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, told ABC this month.

The BMW company has recalled over a million vehicles since that 2017 report ran. But ABC found fires have occurred recently among models not on the recall list.

East County News Service

December 4, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – Over 250 people nationwide have fallen ill from salmonella tied to ground beef, including 66 cases in California, the Centers for Disease Control reports.  Over 12 million pounds of ground beef have been recalled, all packaged between July 26 and Sept.7, but health officials warn that some products may still be in consumers’ freezers.

Following an October recall, a second recall issued this week adds another 5 million pounds of potentially tainted products. The tainted beef was sold at major retailers including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, Ralph’s, Food 4 Less and others.  View the retailer list here. 

East County News Service

October 10, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – Walmart is recalling over a quarter of million axes sold nationwide after two reports of axe heads coming off the handles, causing minor injuries, the U.S. Product Safety Commission reports. The axes, made by Ozark Trail, were sold between January 2017 and July 2018 .

East County News Service

September 5, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Toyota has ordered a recall of some Prius hybrid vehicles  made between June 2015 and May 2018, due to an electrical system defect that can cause fires.

Wire harnesses connected to the vehicles’ power control units can wear out and overheat, causing fires. The company reports it will fix the problem free and will notify customers starting this month.

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2018 (San Diego) - The Centers for Disease Control has broadened its health warning regarding e-coli cases linked to romaine lettuce.  

The federal health agency is now advising consumers to avoid all forms of romaine lettuce, including lettuce heads, chopped romaine and salad mixes that may contain romaine, unless you are certain that the lettuce was not grown in Yuma, Arizona.