Complaint resolution service publishes case studies, recall information and consumer news.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that foods containing peanut butter like candy, cakes, and pies shoud be avoided until the agency can determine the cause of a salmonella outbreak that has afflicted five hundred people.  Six deaths are attributed to the outbreak.

Peanut butter is made from a paste created by roasting cured peanuts.  Experts believe that the paste was tainted which would taint the end product.  Kellogg reacted quickly before the government made any recommendations and pulled Austin and Keebler branded peanut butter crackers from store shelves.

We contacted Lance, Inc (NASDAQ:LNCE) after Kellogg reacted so quickly.  Days before the U.S. government said to avoid products with peanut butter, Lance denied any problem with their product.  Lance told Consumer Help Web,

“We produce our own peanut butter and are not connected with the recent peanut butter recall.  We can assure you our products are safe to eat.”

Maybe so.  But for now we are sticking with federal recommendations about peanut butter products.  Those recommendations say, in part, “Because identification of products subject to recall is continuing, the FDA urges consumers to postpone eating commercially-prepared or manufactured peanut butter-containing products and institutionally-served peanut butter until further information becomes available about which products may be affected.”

Passing on a Reese’s Cup or peanut butter crackers sounds like good food advice for this week.

Posted under Products, Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about a scam to purchase drugs from an international location.  The callers claim to be FDA “special agents” and apparently target  consumers who use mail order pharmacies or similar services.

After an order is placed, the agency says the consumer receives a call several days later demanding money for a “fine” because of the order.  Consumers are threatened during the call and even told they can be jailed.

If you have been contacted or know someone who has, please call the FDA toll-free at (800) 521-5783.

Posted under Health, Privacy

Bayer, the folks who make aspirin and medical supplies, has a growing business in the diabetes care field.  With more than 20 million Americans currently suffering from diabetes and a projected 1 in 3 children aged 8 projected to contract the disease, there is big money in reaching diabetics and locking down their preferences.

The giant health care company has agreed to pay a fine of nearly $100 million to settle U.S. Justice Department allegations that they paid distributors to convert diabetic patients from their glucometer (a device that measures blood sugar), test strips (the expensive part of the proposition, ranging up to $1 each for the uninsured) and other supplies.

The federal agency says that supplier Liberty Medical received $2.5 million as payment for each Medicare patient converted.  The funds were designated “advertising”.

“If medical device manufacturers want to serve Medicare beneficiaries they must follow the law,” said Gregory G. Katsas, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. “Paying healthcare suppliers to place a particular brand of device with Medicare beneficiaries violates the law and will not be tolerated.”

Bayer reportedly paid $375,000 to ten other suppliers. The $97.5 million fine settles claims against Bayer through 2007. The company was also required to enter into an agreement with the government regarding future conduct.

Posted under Customer Service

Walkie-Talkies sold at Toys R Us recalled for burn hazard

If you started holiday shopping early this year, you may want to check the packaging if you bought a Cobra 2 way radio (what we used to call walkie-talkies) at Toys R Us.

The manufacturer and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are cooperating on a recall of 8,000 units of the cool looking toys (pictured left) because the rechargable batteries can leak and cause a chemical burn.

The great news is that no one has been hurt yet, so cheers to Cobra for moving fast on this recall.

How To Tell If Your Walkie-Talkie Is Recalled

The recall involves two-way radios with the 300 mah “CEL” batteries. The walkie talkie style radios are made of pink plastic and come in purple packaging. Product number PR191-2VP is located on the front of the packaging and on the label inside the battery compartment. The batteries are standard AAA Nickle Metal Hydride battery cells with a black wrapper with the battery name 300 mah (CEL) with the date code (TF or RF) on the battery itself.

Cobra asks that consumers stop using the radios and contact them for a free replacement and a 20% coupon on a new purchase.   Do not touch anything that has leaked from the battery, which is sound advice in almost all cases, come to think of it.

More information is available toll-free at (888) 252-9889 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

Ten payday lenders, defined as a company that lends money at usually high interest rates against an upcoming paycheck, are facing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges regarding advertising and collection tactics.

The Nevada government added to the federal charges, which allege that payday lenders did not disclose important information about the loans and that their collection tactics were “abusive”.  Potential customers were told that they could borrow several hundred dollars for a fee ranging from $35 to $80 provided that the amount was repaid in the next week.   Borrowers had to provide the companies, some of them based in the United Kingdom, with their bank and social security information.

During repayment, special clauses that the government contends were not disclosed to borrowers would cause the loan amount to increase by many times over.  If the borrower terminated the lender’s access to the account, they were subject to what the government called “abusive” collection tactics.  Borrowers were allegedly told they were subject to arrest or property seizure.

he corporate defendants are Cash Today, Ltd., The Heathmill Village, Ltd., Leads Global, Inc., Waterfront Investments, Inc., ACH Cash, Inc., HBS Services, Inc., Lotus Leads, Inc., First4Leads, Inc., Rovinge International, Inc., and The Harris Holdings, Ltd., each also doing business as Cash Today, Route 66 Funding, Global Financial Services International, Ltd., Interim Cash, Ltd., and BIG-INT, Ltd. The individual defendants are Aaron Gershfield, Ivor Gershfield, and Jim Harris.

Tough economic times can sometimes cause consumers to seek alternative income or lending sources.  As always, checking the lender’s reputation with your local consumer affairs office — at either the local or state level — is the best course of action before borrowing from any well-known lender.

Posted under Finance

A Casper the Friendly Ghost outdoor figurine has been recalled two days before Halloween.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that the 3 inch high figure has unacceptable levels of lead. The figures were priced from $1 to $3 and sold for almost three years in a variety of stores.

The manufacturer, Coyne and Company, has agreed to a full refund or credit for any figures that are returned. You can call the company anytime at (800) 336-8666.

Be safe this Halloween. Don’t forget our post about Safe Trick or Treating Tips if you are taking a little one trick-or-treating on Friday.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

The federal treasure trove from the FCIC — the folks you might hear on public service announcements as shipping from Pueblo, Colorado — have an amazing variety of books and information for no or little cost. One we especially like is a packet published with help from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Fraud Protection for Seniors.

The package includes helpful pamphlets about scams that sound too good to be and even tips on protecting your retirement savings. There are even hints on how to qualify marketing offers to ensure they are appropriate for you.

Ordering this free package of publications is easy:

• Send your name and address to Fraud Protection for Seniors, Pueblo, Colorado 81009
• Order Protecting Seniors From Fraud online
• Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO or  (888) 878-3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time and ask for the Fraud Protection for Seniors package.

Posted under Finance

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that an upstate New York furniture chain must stop deceptive pricing schemes and deliver overdue furniture.

Utica-based Affordable Furniture received a cease and desist letter that gives the company two weeks to deliver all overdue furniture.  The company will also change its sales practices so that sales prices are disclosed showing the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), the store’s “customary” price and any sales price.

Posted under Complaints

Does anyone know what time it is?

Daylight savings time ended in some countries today.  European countries (except our bankrupt friends in Iceland) end daylight savings time the last Sunday in October. Depending on where in Europe you are, that means the switch is happening now.   Mexico and African countries observing daylight savings time also change now.

The United States and Canada change a week later.

U.S. readers:  take note of future time changes:

Sunday, November 2, 2008 - Daylight Savings Time ends in most of United States.

Sunday March 8, 2009 - Daylight Savings Time resumes in most of United States.

The official time clocks fall back or spring forward is 2:00 a.m., but that likely only matters to you if you’re working an overnight shift or sitting at a bar.   And, of course, if you use the ever-parternalistic Microsoft Windows, you’ll awaken on Sunday to a cheery message telling you that the difficult task of setting your system clock was taken care of by the company as you slumbered.

Posted under Travel

Two years after we reported on a Leapfrog recall affecting children 6 months to 36 months of age, word now comes that the company has recalled 35,000 units of a video game system.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission says rechargable batteries and power sources for the company’s game system marketed under the Didj name can overheat.  Twelve reports of overheating have been reported to the company thus far resulting in at least one reported minor burn.

The recharging base and battery, made in China, should no longer be used.  Consumers can call Leapfrog toll-free at (800) 701-5327 for more information.

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety