Product recalls this week include children’s books, furniture, coats, bikes

Recalls this week: books, furniture, coats

Recalled products this week include children’s books with foam bindings that could detach and pose a choking hazard. Also on the list are wood furniture with coatings that could have high levels of lead, and women’s coats that don’t meet flammability standards.

There was another recall of children’s hooded clothing made with drawstrings, despite industry guidelines to avoid such strangulation hazards.

Among the recalled items this week:

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

DETAILS: Gund is recalling baby paperboard books with plastic handles designed as baby rattles. The miniature books include the titles “Animals,” ”Numbers” and “Colors.” The books were also sold as a three-book set. They were manufactured in China and imported by Gund of Edison, N.J., and sold at gift and specialty stores nationwide from January 2009 through March 2010.

WHY: The plastic foam used to fill the book bindings can detach, posing a choking risk to infants and young children.

INCIDENTS: The company has received three reports of children putting detached plastic foam in their mouths, but no reports of injuries.

HOW MANY: About 15,000

FOR MORE: Call 800-436-3726; visit www.gund.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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WOOD FURNITURE

DETAILS: Several styles of decorative wood chests and tables imported by Hammary Furniture Co. of Lenoir, N.C. The furniture was manufactured in the Philippines, China and Vietnam, and sold in department stores and furniture stores from November 2001 through November 2009.

WHY: The surface coating on the furniture could have high levels of lead, which is toxic to young children if they ingest it.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 7,000

FOR MORE: Call 888-577-4098; visit www.regcen.com/hammaryrecall or www.cpsc.gov.

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WOMEN’S PEACOATS

DETAILS: The plaid, blue-and-white coats were manufactured in China and imported by Foria International Inc. of City of Industry, Calif. They were sold at Bass Pro Shops around the country between October 2009 and January 2010.

WHY: The coats don’t meet federal flammability standards.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 800

FOR MORE: Call 888-999-6568; visit www.cpsc.gov.

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CHILDREN’S HOODED JACKETS

DETAILS: The Mecca jackets with drawstrings were made in China and distributed by 5 Star Apparel LLC, of New York. Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls and other retail stores nationwide from April 2008 through December 2009.

WHY: The jackets have drawstrings through the hood that can pose a strangulation hazard to young children.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 11,500

FOR MORE: Call 646-273-1225; visit www.cpsc.gov.

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BICYCLE COMPONENTS

DETAILS: Civia Cycles, the Bloomington, Minn.-based importer of the Taiwanese-made bikes, is recalling the bikes’ forks, which connect the front wheel to the bicycle frame. The recall involves all Civia Hyland bicycles sold with original equipment carbon fiber forks and all Civia Carbon forks sold as aftermarket products. The bikes and forks were sold by specialty bike retailers nationwide from April 2008 through February 2010.

WHY: The fork can crack or break, posing a fall hazard to the bicyclist.

INJURIES: Civia Cycles has received two reports of forks cracking, and one report of a fork breaking, resulting in a facial cut and bruised ribs for the rider.

HOW MANY: About 800

FOR MORE: Call (877) 774-6208; visit www.civiacycles.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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FROZEN TUNA STEAKS

DETAILS: Whole Foods Market is recalling yellow fin tuna steaks had best-by dates of Dec. 5, 2010. The fish was sold in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Connecticut, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, Maine and Washington, D.C.

WHY: The steaks could have elevated levels of histamine. High levels of histamine can cause an allergic reaction called scombroid poisoning. Symptoms may include: tingling or burning sensation in the mouth, facial swelling, rash, hives and itchy skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

INCIDENTS: Two reported.

FOR MORE: Call 954-338-6891

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EYE DROPS AND NASAL DROPS

DETAILS: US Oftalmi is recalling select over-the-counter eye drops and nasal drops that were sold nationwide.

WHY: The drops might not be sterile and could cause infections.

INICDENTS: No infections reported.

FOR MORE: Call 954-338-6891

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FAJITA SEASONING MIXES

DETAILS: McCormick & Co. Inc. of Sparks, Md., is recalling select fajita seasoning mixes that were sold nationwide beginning Feb. 15.

WHY: The packages contain wheat and milk, which are not listed on the label. This could be dangerous for people with wheat or milk allergies.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

FOR MORE: Call 800-632-5847