WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Carbon monoxide leak prompts recall of high-end rangeshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/carbon-monoxide-leak-prompts-recall-of-high-end-ranges/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/carbon-monoxide-leak-prompts-recall-of-high-end-ranges/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/carbon-monoxide-leak-prompts-recall-of-high-end-ranges/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bad news for people hoping to use their pricey, recently purchased ranges to roast turkeys or bake pies for Thanksgiving. High-end ranges sold under the Kenmore and Electrolux brands are being recalled after they were found to leak carbon monoxide gas when the oven is in use.

The Electrolux Icon and Kenmore Pro 30-inch gas ranges made in Canada by Electrolux Home Products have a part that allows delivery of more fuel than the oven burners can handle, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The result of the incomplete combustion is the release of carbon monoxide.

Electrolux told the CPSC that about 900 of the ranges have the problem. They were sold from August 2008 through October 2009 for $2,500 to $3,500.

The company said it had received four reports of carbon monoxide leaks.

According to the CPSC, those who have the ranges can continue to use the stove and broiler, but should not use the oven.

The free-standing ranges being recalled are limited to the Electrolux Icon model E30GF74HPS and
Kenmore Pro 30" Gas Range models 790.76913800 and 790.76913801 with following number range: NF83000000 - NF93633000.

Consumers can find the Electrolux model and serial number in the back of the range. The Kenmore model and serial number can be found near the range's base beneath the bottom right part of the oven door -- as well as in the rear.

For more information, those with the Electrolux range should call Electrolux weekdays between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET at (888) 360-8557 and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., or visit the Web site set up for the recall. Those who have the Kenmore model should cal Sears at (800) 733-2299 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.

Carbon monoxide leak prompts recall of high-end ranges originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>carbon monoxideCarbonMonoxideconsumer allyconsumer product safetyConsumerAllyConsumerProductSafetycpscelectroluxkenmoreovenrecallthanksgivingMitch LipkaWed, 25 Nov 2009 11:30:00 ESTKars4Kids steers donors in the wrong directionhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/kars4kids-steers-donors-in-the-wrong-direction/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/kars4kids-steers-donors-in-the-wrong-direction/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/kars4kids-steers-donors-in-the-wrong-direction/#commentsFiled under: ,

While the annoying Kars4Kids radio jingle asking consumers to donate their unwanted cars for needy children seems straightforward enough, it may actually be steering donors down a road they didn't expect.

All of the money raised by Joy for Our Youth (a.k.a. Kars4Kids) -- $16.2 million in 2007, according to their tax returns -- gets funneled to another charity called Oorah, which is never mentioned in the radio jingles or the billboards plastered along many major highways. Oorah is a Jewish religious organization whose stated mission is to heighten Jewish childrens' awareness of their heritage.

Continue reading Kars4Kids steers donors in the wrong direction

Kars4Kids steers donors in the wrong direction originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>attorney generalAttorneyGeneralcharitydonationsjunk carsJunkCarskars4kidsoorahoregonpennsylvaniasettlementMitch LipkaFri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 ESTMovie theater popcorn gets two thumbs down from advocacy grouphttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/19/movie-theater-popcorn-gets-two-thumbs-down-from-advocacy-group/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/19/movie-theater-popcorn-gets-two-thumbs-down-from-advocacy-group/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/19/movie-theater-popcorn-gets-two-thumbs-down-from-advocacy-group/#commentsFiled under: ,

Eating popcorn at the movies used to be fun. Now it's scary, thanks to the Center for Science in the Public Interest -- the advocacy group that also has given the beat-down to Chinese food, fast food and most other things Americans love to pig out on.

The group performed lab tests on popcorn purchased from the largest movie chains, AMC and Regal, and came up with this equation: That eating a medium popcorn with a soda at a Regal theater is equal to eating three McDonald's Quarter Pounders with 12 pats of butter.

That's 1,610 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat. And, just to rub it in, CSPI noted the high profits the chain must collect for selling the combo for $12 -- given how cheap popcorn and soda actually are.

Continue reading Movie theater popcorn gets two thumbs down from advocacy group

Movie theater popcorn gets two thumbs down from advocacy group originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Center for Science in the Public InterestCenterForScienceInThePublicInterestcspifatmovie popcornMoviePopcornMitch LipkaThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTLowe's grills catch fire in the wrong places; 663,000 recalledhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/lowes-grills-catch-fire-in-the-wrong-places-663-000-recalled/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/lowes-grills-catch-fire-in-the-wrong-places-663-000-recalled/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/lowes-grills-catch-fire-in-the-wrong-places-663-000-recalled/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of the recalled grills. Lowe's recalled 663,000 Perfect Flame SLG Series gas grills after nearly two dozen people reported injuries due to deteriorating burners, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. In some cases, the lids caught on fire.

Using these Chinese-made grills, imported by L G Sourcing, could put consumers at risk of being burned and should not be used until they are repaired, the CPSC said.

Continue reading Lowe's grills catch fire in the wrong places; 663,000 recalled

Lowe's grills catch fire in the wrong places; 663,000 recalled originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>consumer product safetyConsumerProductSafetycpscfiregas grillGasGrillLowesproduct safetyProductSafetyrecallMitch LipkaWed, 18 Nov 2009 18:05:00 ESTGroup finds lead in Barbie, Disney toys; focus is still on Chinahttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/group-finds-lead-in-barbie-disney-toys-focus-is-still-on-china/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/group-finds-lead-in-barbie-disney-toys-focus-is-still-on-china/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/group-finds-lead-in-barbie-disney-toys-focus-is-still-on-china/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A California environmental health advocacy group commissioned testing on some 250 toys and found high lead levels in seven of them, including Barbie and Disney-branded products.

While the percentage that failed was low, the findings released by the Center for Environmental Health were disturbing nonetheless for just how high the levels were -- in some toys they were dozens of times above the legal limit.

Continue reading Group finds lead in Barbie, Disney toys; focus is still on China

Group finds lead in Barbie, Disney toys; focus is still on China originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chinaconsumer product safetyConsumerProductSafetycpscimportsrecallMitch LipkaWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:15:00 ESTFuror grows after Silk soy milk labels are quietly changed from 'organic' to 'natural'http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/furor-grows-after-silk-soy-milk-labels-are-quietly-changed-from/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/furor-grows-after-silk-soy-milk-labels-are-quietly-changed-from/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/furor-grows-after-silk-soy-milk-labels-are-quietly-changed-from/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Organic food advocates have turned against a once highly-embraced brand, Silk soy milk, after the company that owns it quietly altered the products' label from government-regulated "organic" to the practically meaningless "natural" without properly notifying customers.

The silence surrounding the label change has fueled a public battle between the farm policy research and advocacy group Cornucopia Institute and dairy giant Dean Foods, which owns White Wave, the maker of the Silk line of soy milk products. Organic devotees say products that are not organic can be grown with pesticides and other chemicals without running afoul of the virtually unregulated claim of being "natural."

Making matters worse, consumers have been doubly irked to find out that they were paying the same pumped up prices organic commands for the new, less-than-organic version.

Continue reading Furor grows after Silk soy milk labels are quietly changed from 'organic' to 'natural'

Furor grows after Silk soy milk labels are quietly changed from 'organic' to 'natural' originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cornucopia instituteCornucopiaInstitutedean foodsDeanFoodssilk soy milkSilkSoyMilkMitch LipkaTue, 17 Nov 2009 11:30:00 ESTHanging up on Rachel: Robo-calls have been banned, yet the phones keep ringinghttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/hanging-up-on-rachel-robo-calls-have-been-banned-yet-the-phone/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/hanging-up-on-rachel-robo-calls-have-been-banned-yet-the-phone/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/17/hanging-up-on-rachel-robo-calls-have-been-banned-yet-the-phone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"Hi. This is Rachel from Cardholder Services." It's safe to say that millions of Americans have received a call from Rachel or one of her robo-calling cohorts at some point. In fact, there have been so many complaints about calls from robo-dialers with pre-recorded announcements that the government has almost entirely banned them.

As of September 1, the Federal Trade Commission barred all prerecorded telemarketing calls unless a consumer gives their written permission to receive them furst. Robo-soliciting over cell phones was already prohibited by the Federal Communications Commission several years ago.

Just don't tell that to Rachel. She doesn't appear to be slowing down -- and, at least for the time being, no one can stop her because it's not clear where she comes from.

Continue reading Hanging up on Rachel: Robo-calls have been banned, yet the phones keep ringing

Hanging up on Rachel: Robo-calls have been banned, yet the phones keep ringing originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>attorney generalAttorneyGeneralbetter business bureauBetterBusinessBureaudhc financialDhcFinancialfederal communications commissionfederal trade commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissionFederalTradeCommissionftcindianaRachelRobo-callingrobo-dialersolicitorstelemarketingMitch LipkaTue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 ESTVonage to pay $3 million and change its practices to settle complaints from 32 stateshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/vonage-to-pay-3-million-and-change-its-practices-to-settle-comp/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/vonage-to-pay-3-million-and-change-its-practices-to-settle-comp/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/vonage-to-pay-3-million-and-change-its-practices-to-settle-comp/#commentsFiled under: ,

Internet telephone provider Vonage agreed to pay $3 million and change how it deals with its customers after reaching a settlement with 32 states.

Among the allegations against Vonage was consumers continuing to be charged after canceling, not clearly disclosing the terms of its "free trial," and not honoring a supposed "money back guarantee." One problem consumers ran into -- something that particularly affected senior citizens -- was the failure to disclose in Vonage's numerous advertisements that having high-speed internet was a requirement to use the service.

Continue reading Vonage to pay $3 million and change its practices to settle complaints from 32 states

Vonage to pay $3 million and change its practices to settle complaints from 32 states originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Attorney generalAttorneyGeneralconsumer complaintsConsumerComplaintssettlementvonageMitch LipkaMon, 16 Nov 2009 18:30:00 ESTSteer clear of auto warranty deals: Missouri AG sues 6http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/13/steer-clear-of-auto-warranty-deals-missouri-ag-sues-6/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/13/steer-clear-of-auto-warranty-deals-missouri-ag-sues-6/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/13/steer-clear-of-auto-warranty-deals-missouri-ag-sues-6/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Extended warranties of all sorts have always been a dicey proposition, but when it comes to extended auto warranties many don't even appear to be warranties at all.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster took aim at the industry this week by suing six companies that market the so-called warranties and warning the public that what is being pitched isn't what you end up with. He said the industry is "rife with fraud."

Koster said what consumers are actually buying into are limited "service contracts" or "automotive additives" deals rather than a traditional warranty. That was done to avoid consumer protections otherwise afforded by law, he said in a news release.

The contracts are filled with catches. Among them:
  • A 30 to 90 day (or 1,000 miles) timeframe when you can't make a claim.
  • Promotion of a 7-year, 100,000 miles warranty extension that doesn't note coverage is limited to the declining value of the car. (In other words, Koster said, "The coverage may soon be less than the price paid by the consumer for the contact).
  • Sending an additive to be put into your car immediately to activate coverage without noting that its use negates the ability to cancel.

Continue reading Steer clear of auto warranty deals: Missouri AG sues 6

Steer clear of auto warranty deals: Missouri AG sues 6 originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>attorney generalAttorneyGeneralauto warrantyAutoWarrantyextended warrantyExtendedWarrantyMitch LipkaFri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTLender BlueHippo slammed by FTC for allegedly collecting $15 million in exchange for nothinghttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/lender-bluehippo-slammed-by-ftc-for-allegedly-collecting-15-mil/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/lender-bluehippo-slammed-by-ftc-for-allegedly-collecting-15-mil/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/lender-bluehippo-slammed-by-ftc-for-allegedly-collecting-15-mil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BlueHippo.com, which markets itself as a way for the credit-challenged to buy a new computer and other electronics, has been ripping off its customers and should be ordered to stop, the Federal Trade Commission told a federal judge today.

"BlueHippo is a company with a business model based on deceit," FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said in a statement. The company is also allegedly operating in violation of a 2008 agreement to settle a previous case brought by the FTC.

Among its complaints, the FTC says BlueHippo took in $15 million under the guise of financing computer purchases for their customers, but it neither provided the financing nor the computers. Fewer than 1 percent of customers received what they signed up for, the FTC said.

A call to BlueHippo's designated phone number for the media rolls into a voice mail that doesn't accept messages. And a call to their spokesman at the Washington, D.C. offices of an international public relations firm was not returned.

Continue reading Lender BlueHippo slammed by FTC for allegedly collecting $15 million in exchange for nothing

Lender BlueHippo slammed by FTC for allegedly collecting $15 million in exchange for nothing originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bluehippoBlueHippo.comcontemptfederal courtFederal Trade CommissionFederalCourtFederalTradeCommissionftcripoffscamMitch LipkaThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTCVS to pay $875,000 to settle allegations the chain was selling expired productshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/cvs-to-pay-875-000-to-settle-allegations-the-chain-was-selling/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/cvs-to-pay-875-000-to-settle-allegations-the-chain-was-selling/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/cvs-to-pay-875-000-to-settle-allegations-the-chain-was-selling/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pharmacy giant CVS has agreed to pay $875,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the state of New York that alleged the chain routinely sold expired food, drugs and other outdated products, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said.

California settled a similar case with CVS five months ago.

"New Yorkers should not have to worry that their neighborhood pharmacy is selling expired over-the-counter drugs that may be harmful to themselves or their families," Cuomo said in a written statement. "Today's settlement with CVS and our past settlement with Rite Aid - which total approximately $2 million --send the message that companies have a responsibility to put the safety of their customers ahead of boosting their profits."

Continue reading CVS to pay $875,000 to settle allegations the chain was selling expired products

CVS to pay $875,000 to settle allegations the chain was selling expired products originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>andrew cuomoAndrewCuomoconsumer allyConsumerAllycvsexpired foodexpired productsExpiredFoodExpiredProductsnew york attorney generalNewYorkAttorneyGeneralMitch LipkaTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTZhu Zhu Pets playing the disappearing game: Will they be around for Black Friday?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/zhu-zhu-pets-playing-the-disappearing-game-will-they-be-around/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/zhu-zhu-pets-playing-the-disappearing-game-will-they-be-around/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/zhu-zhu-pets-playing-the-disappearing-game-will-they-be-around/#commentsFiled under: ,

The elusive Zhu Zhu Pets faux hamsters showed up at major retailers on Sunday and disappeared from most shelves before the morning ended. Such is the life of the hot toy of the year -- following the likes of Furby and Tickle Me Elmo in the annals of toys whose scarcity was part of their allure.

Zhu Zhu mania is bordering on the absurd -- creating a secondary market where the tantalizingly inexpensive toys ($8 at Walmart) become, well, expensive toys ($35.88 for one and $98 for a three-pack on Amazon.com).

Continue reading Zhu Zhu Pets playing the disappearing game: Will they be around for Black Friday?

Zhu Zhu Pets playing the disappearing game: Will they be around for Black Friday? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>black fridayBlackFridayconsumer allyConsumerAllyhot toysHotToysmitch lipkaMitchLipkatoysZhuZhuPetsMitch LipkaTue, 10 Nov 2009 13:30:00 ESTNokia issues recall for 14 million chargers due to electric shock riskhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/nokia-issues-recall-for-14-million-chargers-due-to-electric-shoc/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/nokia-issues-recall-for-14-million-chargers-due-to-electric-shoc/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/10/nokia-issues-recall-for-14-million-chargers-due-to-electric-shoc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nokia is recalling an estimated 14 million cell phone chargers the company says might be defective and could cause users to get shocked.

The Finnish mobile telecommunications giant said it found the defect through its own quality control program and has not had any reports of any incidents involving the chargers. The problem with the chargers, Nokia said, is that the covers can come off and expose the internal components.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the normal conduit for recalls of this type, was not party to this announcement and a spokesman for the safety agency did not immediately have a comment on the recall. It is not immediately clear how many of the recalled chargers were sold in the U.S.

Nokia is offering anyone with the affected chargers a new charger in exchange for the recalled ones. Nokia has a web site dedicated to the exchange program.

The company blamed the problem with the chargers on a supplier, BYD Co. -- run by Wang Chuanfu, who Forbes says is the wealthiest man in China. All the chargers being recalled were made this year.

Nokia said the chargers subject to the recall are: AC-3E and AC-3U models, manufactured between June and Aug. 9, 2009; and the AC-4U model, manufactured between April 13 and Oct. 25.

Nokia's recall site shows customers how to identify their charger model and determine whether it needs to be replaced. If the charger is subject to the recall, Nokia urges consumers to stop using it until the new charger arrives.

Nokia issues recall for 14 million chargers due to electric shock risk originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cell phone chargerCellPhoneChargerconsumer allyConsumerAllycpscfeaturednokiarecallMitch LipkaTue, 10 Nov 2009 01:02:00 EST1 million strollers recalled by Maclaren after reports of severed fingershttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/1-million-strollers-recalled-by-maclaren-after-reports-of-severe/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/1-million-strollers-recalled-by-maclaren-after-reports-of-severe/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/1-million-strollers-recalled-by-maclaren-after-reports-of-severe/#commentsFiled under: ,

strollerA decade's worth of Maclaren strollers -- 1 million in all -- are being recalled following reports of a dozen childrens' fingertips being lopped off after getting caught in the hinges, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said today.

The injuries occurred when the strollers were being opened or closed. Maclaren strollers are among the most widely used in the country.

"Strollers are mechanical products not unlike bicycles or automobiles and have scissor or pinch points that cannot be eliminated," Maclaren writes on its FAQ about the recall. "Never use your hands to open or close the stroller - they are engineered to be operated by foot. Operators should always read the operating instructions before use - don't force the mechanisms - stop and check the instructions."

Continue reading 1 million strollers recalled by Maclaren after reports of severed fingers

1 million strollers recalled by Maclaren after reports of severed fingers originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>buggy recallBuggyRecalldefective productsDefectiveProductsMaclaren buggyMaclaren recallMaclaren strollerMaclarenBuggyMaclarenRecallMaclarenStrollerproduct recallProductRecallstroller recallStrollerRecallMitch LipkaMon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTJelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic tohttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/jelly-bean-recall-jelly-belly-says-its-labels-left-off-an-ingre/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/jelly-bean-recall-jelly-belly-says-its-labels-left-off-an-ingre/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/jelly-bean-recall-jelly-belly-says-its-labels-left-off-an-ingre/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For people with peanut allergies, beware these innocent-looking jelly beans. Jelly Belly is recalling 7.5-ounce cylinders of 49 Flavors Jelly Belly jelly beans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The label does not mention that the ingredients include peanut butter and peanut flour.

"People who have an allergy to peanuts or a severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these ingredients," the FDA said in its recall announcement.

Continue reading Jelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic to

Jelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic to originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>fdajelly beansjelly bellyJellyBeansJellyBellypeanut allergyPeanutAllergyrecallMitch LipkaFri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 ESTDogs snacks recalled by PetSmart due to salmonella fearshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/dogs-snacks-recalled-by-petsmart-due-to-salmonella-fears/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/dogs-snacks-recalled-by-petsmart-due-to-salmonella-fears/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/dogs-snacks-recalled-by-petsmart-due-to-salmonella-fears/#commentsFiled under: ,

PetSmart stores are warning dog owners to protect their pooches from getting salmonella from some treats sold at its stores, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Two types of Dentley beef hooves sold between Oct. 2 and Nov. 3 are being recalled over fears they could be contaminated with the bacteria. They are:
  • Dentley's Bulk Cattle Hoof UPC# 73725703323
  • Dentley's 10 Pack Beef Hooves UPC# 73725736055
Both have a use-by date of Oct. 14, 2012.

The FDA said that although the products were shipped from the Pet Carousel manufacturing plant to only three PetSmart regional distribution centers, the company was pulling the product from its stores nationwide as a precaution.

Consumers who have the products should not feed them to their pets, and should return them to any PetSmart store for a refund. Those who have fed them to their dogs and are concerned should contact a veterinarian.

Dogs do not necessarily show the same signs of salmonella poisoning as humans, but can suffer from diarrhea and have other symptoms.

For additional information, visit PetSmart's site, the FDA site or call PetSmart 1-888-839-9638.

Dogs snacks recalled by PetSmart due to salmonella fears originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>consumer allyConsumerAllydog snacksDogSnacksfdafeaturedpetsrecallsalmonellaMitch LipkaFri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 ESTNew York attorney general sues Intel; accuses chipmaker of using bribery and coercion to crush competitionhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/ny-attorney-general-sues-intel-accusing-chipmaker-of-bribery-an/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/ny-attorney-general-sues-intel-accusing-chipmaker-of-bribery-an/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/ny-attorney-general-sues-intel-accusing-chipmaker-of-bribery-an/#commentsFiled under: ,

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo this morning announced an antitrust lawsuit against dominant computer chip maker Intel, alleging the company bribed, threatened and cheated to maintain its dominance in the marketplace.

Intel, Cuomo said, bullied its business partners and pushed aside competition --hurting consumers who could have benefited from the cost savings that comes with a competitive environment. Intel's chips are the guts of the vast majority of PCs.

"Rather than compete fairly, Intel used bribery and coercion to maintain a stranglehold on the market," Cuomo said in a statement. "Intel's actions not only unfairly restricted potential competitors, but also hurt average consumers who were robbed of better products and lower prices. These illegal tactics must stop and competition must be restored to this vital marketplace."

In the lawsuit, Cuomo alleges: "Intel has distorted competition and harmed consumers, depriving them of the lower prices and increased rates of innovation which competition would have yielded. Absent Intel's illegal acts, prices would likely have been lower, product innovation more dynamic, and consumer gains greater."

Continue reading New York attorney general sues Intel; accuses chipmaker of using bribery and coercion to crush competition

New York attorney general sues Intel; accuses chipmaker of using bribery and coercion to crush competition originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>andrew cuomoAndrewCuomoantitrustattorney generalAttorneyGeneralchipsintellawsuitmicrochipsMitch LipkaWed, 04 Nov 2009 11:11:00 ESTE.coli outbreaks lead to meat recall: More than 500,000 pounds of ground beef recalledhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/e-coli-outbreaks-lead-to-meat-recall-more-than-500-000-pounds-o/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/e-coli-outbreaks-lead-to-meat-recall-more-than-500-000-pounds-o/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/e-coli-outbreaks-lead-to-meat-recall-more-than-500-000-pounds-o/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After two deaths and more than two dozen people taking ill from E.coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is recalling 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef products sold from Maine to North Carolina.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with health and agriculture departments in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts connected the E.coli cases to beef that was prepared at a plant in upstate New York, the USDA said. All the meat was processed at Fairbank Farms in Ashville, N.Y.

UPDATE: The CDC announced the outbreak now has victims coast-to-coast, stretching from Maine to California. The 28 people known to have gotten sick with the same strain of e.Coli live in 12 states: California (1), Connecticut (4), Massachusetts (8), Maryland (1), Maine (2), Minnesota (1), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (2), and Vermont (1), the CDC said. Of those, 16 were hospitalized and three suffered kidney failure, the CDC reported.

Continue reading E.coli outbreaks lead to meat recall: More than 500,000 pounds of ground beef recalled

E.coli outbreaks lead to meat recall: More than 500,000 pounds of ground beef recalled originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>beefbeef recallBeefRecallcdcfdaFoodground beef recallGroundBeefRecallmeat recallMeatRecallrecallMitch LipkaMon, 02 Nov 2009 18:30:00 ESTHelp me WalletPop: Southwest Airlines lost my ticket and charged me twicehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/help-me-walletpop-southwest-airlines-lost-my-ticket-and-charged/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/help-me-walletpop-southwest-airlines-lost-my-ticket-and-charged/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/help-me-walletpop-southwest-airlines-lost-my-ticket-and-charged/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dear WalletPop:

On Oct. 8, Karl and I checked into our Southwest flight to Vegas. The man at the counter was totally distracted -- carrying on a conversation with another employee behind the counter. I really didn't think much of it at the time but ... he carelessly placed our tickets back on the counter and continued his conversation. I picked up the tickets and noticed that we ONLY had a boarding pass now.

We originally had handed him lavender oaktag tickets we received in the mail three weeks before, and those tickets were for our flight to Vegas as well as our return trip. When he handed us back a plain-paper boarding pass, I asked if that was all we needed. He stopped his conversation mid-sentence and told us we were free to proceed.

Continue reading Help me WalletPop: Southwest Airlines lost my ticket and charged me twice

Help me WalletPop: Southwest Airlines lost my ticket and charged me twice originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>southwest airlinesSouthwestAirlinesMitch LipkaFri, 30 Oct 2009 15:30:00 ESTChinese chicken: Which fast food chain may serve you this scary import?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/chinese-chickens-which-fast-food-chain-may-serve-you-this-scary/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/chinese-chickens-which-fast-food-chain-may-serve-you-this-scary/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/chinese-chickens-which-fast-food-chain-may-serve-you-this-scary/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Would you eat chicken imported from China? Overwhelmingly, 96% of WalletPop readers say they wouldn't touch the stuff.

Now that a 2004 ban on chicken imported from China has been lifted, it could be awfully tempting for some of America's favorite fast-food chains to buy the cheap meat. We asked seven of the biggest fast food chains in the U.S. whether they would buy the chicken when it becomes available. Three said they will only buy American chicken. Three would not say what they'll do. And one, a very big one, left the door wide open.

Continue reading Chinese chicken: Which fast food chain may serve you this scary import?

Chinese chicken: Which fast food chain may serve you this scary import? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>arbysbird fluBirdFluburger kingBurgerKingchick-fil-achickenchinafood safetyFoodSafetyimportskentucky fried chickenKentuckyFriedChickenkfcmcdonaldspopeyestrade banTradeBanwendysMitch LipkaThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST