Recall Roundup: September 8th, 2021

As a consumer, you have the right to know about any defects or problems with the products you buy. When food, medicine, or consumer products are found to be contaminated, hazardous, or otherwise unsafe, they may be subject to a recall.

ASK LLP keeps you up to date on the latest news about the safety and efficacy of common items we use every day. Check back often to stay informed on the most recent recalls and subscribe to our blog to get updates sent right to your inbox. If you have been injured by a recalled product, you can reach out to ASK LLP for a free case evaluation.

Current Recalls We’re Watching:

Car Seat Recalled
This month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a recall of the Maxi Cosi Pria 70 convertible child car seat due to possible risk of head injury during a collision. The recall alert, posted on September 8, 2021, affects approximately 4,000 child car seats manufactured by Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. The issue that triggered the recall is related to use of the seat in the front-facing position. According to the recall notice, “When the seat is installed in the forward-facing position and secured to the car using the lap belt without also using the top tether, the seat may not adequately protect the child from head injury in the event of a crash. As such, these child seats fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 213, ‘Child Restraint Systems.’” According to a Noncompliance Notice issued by the NHTSA dated September 8, 2021, the car seats were manufactured between January 1, 2019 – July 31, 2019. Dorel Juvenile Group sent a letter to retailers on September 9, 2021 indicating that at that time, no injuries had been reported. If your child has been injured after using the Maxi Cosi Pria 70 car seat, contact ASK LLP for a free case review.

Costco Shower Bench
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) posted a recall notice on September 9, 2021 involving over 80,000 teak shower chairs. The wooden shower chairs were manufactured by Ivena International Pte. Ltd., of Singapore, and were sold exclusively by Costco from October 2018 – June 2021. According to the notice, item number 1049998 and UPC 8886474018015 are printed on the exterior packaging of affected units. The bench has a label that reads “100% wood from well-managed forests.” There have been 81 reports of benches collapsing, breaking, or falling apart, including four reports of injuries. More information and photos can be found on the CPSC website. If you or a loved one was injured after using a shower bench, call ASK LLP for a free case review.

Pfizer Recalls Chantix Nationwide
Pfizer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that a voluntary recall of the smoking cessation drug Chantix has been expanded to include all lots nationwide. The recall was initiated as a “precautionary measure” due to the presence of N-nitroso-varenicline found in the medication. The recall notice states that “long-term ingestion of N-nitroso-varenicline may be associated with a theoretical potential increased cancer risk in humans, but there is no immediate risk to patients taking this medication… Nitrosamines are common in water and foods, including cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and vegetables. Everyone is exposed to some level of nitrosamines. These impurities may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over long periods of time.” Retailers and wholesalers are advised to cease distribution of their current inventory of Chantix. The notice posted by the FDA and Pfizer states, “there is no immediate risk to patients taking Chantix. Patients who are taking this product should consult with their health care provider to determine if alternate treatments are available.” More information and lot numbers affected by the recall can be found on the FDA website.