Product Recalls

Three deaths associated with a salmonella outbreak occurred in Virginia and Minnesota, health officials confirmed. The recalled peanut butter -- distributed by King Nut Companies of Solon, Ohio -- was supplied only through food service providers; it was not sold directly to consumers. King Nut said it could not be the source of the nationwide outbreak since it distributes to only seven states -- Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, Arizona, Idaho and New Hampshire. Salmonella has sickened more than 400 people in 43 states.

About 200,000 Rainforest portable play yards, made in China by Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. of Reading, Pa., are being recalled because the rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard. There have been at least 1,350 reports of one or more rails collapsing, with injuries to children that include bumps and bruises, a broken nose, a broken wrist, a mild concussion, a cut to the hand and a chipped tooth. The recalled products have Rainforest theme artwork and bear the Fisher-Price logo.

Toyota Motor Corp. said it would recall almost 1.3 million vehicles worldwide because of a defect that could cause a foam pad near the seat belt to ignite during collisions. The Japanese automaker said the recall included 134,900 2006 and 2007 model-year Yaris subcompacts sold in the U.S. Toyota Motor Sales USA said it was working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall the vehicles.

Potentially tainted peanut butter and other peanut products have entered the school lunch program in California, affecting as many as 70 school districts, state officials announced Thursday. Salmonella contamination at the Peanut Corp. of America's Georgia plant has led to a nationwide recall of peanuts and peanut products made there since Jan. 1, 2007. Initially, state education officials believed that only peanut-butter cookie dough sold in school fundraisers was affected, but they announced Thursday that at least two truckloads of peanut butter destined for California school cafeterias were part of the expanded recall.

Jakks Pacific Inc. of Malibu is recalling about 516,000 Spa Factory Aromatherapy Fountain & Bath Benefits Kits because pressure in the jars of Bath Bombs/Balls or Bath Fizzies can cause the caps on the jars to blow off, posing explosion and projectile hazards. The mixtures also can contain citric acid, which can get into the eyes during an explosion and cause irritation. The company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have received 88 reports of exploding jars resulting in 13 injuries, including irritated eyes, bruising and facial cuts.

Windsor Quality Food Co. recalled 676,560 pounds of frozen beef chili after consumers said they found stones or pebbles in some of the product, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The recalled product includes 5- and 20-pound bags of frozen "Whitey's Chili With Beans, Premium, No MSG," which were distributed nationwide. 1,200 Harajuku Lovers Hooded Jackets, made in China and distributed by Jerry Leigh of California Inc. of Van Nuys, are being recalled because the jackets' drawstring through the hood can pose a strangulation hazard to children.

Several types of outdoor stoves are being recalled, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the stoves' manufacturers or importers. About 15,000 Personal Cooking Systems and Group Cooking Systems, made in the U.S. by Jetboil Inc. of Manchester, N.H., are being recalled because a tight valve attached to the stove's fuel source can allow gas to leak, posing a fire hazard. The recalled models include Personal Cooking Systems in black (PBL075-BLK) and camo (PBL075-CAMO)

A Bell Gardens food supply company is recalling 89,531 pounds of granulated chicken bouillon products, according to the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The bouillon, from Wei-Chuan USA Inc., originated from "an unapproved source" and was deemed ineligible for import into the country. After being notified by Customs and Border Protection, food safety agents couldn't determine whether the preparation of the poultry ingredients in the bouillon met federal regulations or an equivalent foreign inspection system.

About 78,000 Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gyms, made in China and imported by Nautilus Inc., are being recalled because of problems with the seat rail. If the seat rail isn't manually latched, it can fall unexpectedly on the user or a bystander, posing a risk of serious injury. The company has received 18 reports of injuries caused by unlatched seat rails that have fallen, resulting in head and shoulder wounds, some requiring stitches or staples. The home gyms were sold at specialty fitness retailers nationwide and through direct Nautilus sales from June 2005 to January of this year.

General Motors Corp. is recalling 276,729 new cars and light trucks to fix a glitch in transmissions that could enable the vehicles to roll away when parked. The voluntary recall affects certain 2009 Buicks, Chevrolets, GMCs, Pontiacs and Saturns, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. Only about 75,000 of the vehicles have been delivered to customers. Models are the Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Malibu and Traverse; Pontiac G5 and G6; Saturn Aura and Outlook; and GMC Acadia.