Brands include Natura, Innova, Evo, California Natural and Healthwise

March 19, 2013 -- Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling some of its dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

March 19, 2013 (Washington D.C.) - The Consumer Product Safety Commission announces a voluntary recall of LED light bulbs marketing under the brand names Definitely, EcoSmart, Sylvania and Westingthouse manufactured by Citizens Electric and Lighting Science Group. For details on the specific products, scroll down.

The bulbs can overhead, causing a fire hazard.  At least 68 product failures have occurred, including eight where visible smoke or fire occurred. These incidents damaged light sockets, melted fixtures, burned carpeting/floors and damaged a circuit and lamp.

March 8, 2013 (San Diego)- Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, has issued a voluntary recall on specific codes of 5-ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products. The recall has been issued because the products do not meet the company’s standards for seal tightness.

Loose seals or seams could result in product contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens and lead to illness if consumed.

Toys expand 400 times in size, causing blockage in intestine if swallowed

December 18, 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada today announced a voluntary recall of Water Balz, Growing Skulls, H20 Orbs "Despicable Me" and Fabulous Flowers toys imported by Dunecraft, Inc.

About 94,700 of the toys have been sold in the U.S. at major retail stores, internet sites and other locations, as well as 600 sold in Canada.

December 4, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with American Honda Motor Co. of Torrance, announces a voluntary recall of about 150,600 portable generators because fuel hoses can leak, posing fire and burn hazards. The products were sold at numerous retail outlets nationwide and online.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

November 9, 2012 (Washington D.C.)  -- A nationwide recall of Banana Boat spray-on sunscreens has been issued by Energizer Holdings, Inc., the U.S. Food & Drug Association (FDA) announced.  The voluntary recall follows five cases of consumers suffering burns after the product ignited on the skin. 

Read more for a list of products and additional details:  

November 2, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Portable generators made by Champion Power Equipment have been recalled by the company due to a fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today. The generators were sold exclusively at Costco Stores nationwide from December 2011 to July 2012 for about $699.

Fuel can leak from the generator’s carburetor, posing a fire hazard. There have been 11 reports of fuel leaking, including eight reports of generators catching fire and two of property damage. 

October 15, 2012 (San Diego) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Graco Children’s Products Inc., has recalled about 86,000 Graco Classic Wood Highchairs.  The highchair’s seat can loosen or detach from the base, posing a fall hazard to a child.  Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately and call Graco for a free repair kit.

October 10, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Atomi, today announced a voluntary recall of Sharper Image USB wall chargers.  The chargers can overheat and smoke, posing fire and burn hazards.  Atomi has received 13 reports of the chargers overheating, smoking, and acrid smells.

About 80,000 of the chargers were sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx stores and on various websites from October 2011 through September 2012 for between $8 and $13.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2012 (California) -- Sunland Inc., which makes the recalled Trader Joe’s Salted Valencia peanut butter, has now broadened its recall to include other nut-based spreads that may be contaminated with Salmonella. These include Target's Archer Farms and Earth Balance, manufactured between May 1 and Sept. 24, 2012. View the full list of products affected in Sunland's press release.  

September 22, 2012 (Washington D.C) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday issued a warning advising consumers not to eat Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter. The produce is possibly linked to an outbreak of Salmonella that has infected 29 people in 18 states. Consumers can return products to any Trader Joe’s grocery store for a full refund. 

Chinese imports suspected; FDA advises avoiding jerky treats

September 15, 2012 (Washington D.C)—The FDA has issued a report revealing that thousands of pet illnesses since 2007 have been linked to consumption of jerky pet treats.  Most complaints involve chicken jerky (treats, tenders, and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato, and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes, or yams.

August 31, 2012 (San Diego) - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Sunbeam Products Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

July 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Ford Motor Company today announced a voluntary recall of 2013 model year Ford Escape vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter engine built through July 11, 2012. Ford estimates that there have been approximately 11,500 of these vehicles distributed for sale in North America, with most in the U.S.

Ford is voluntarily recalling the vehicles to replace an engine compartment fuel line, which could split and leak fuel, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. Three fires have occurred, including two by Ford employees testing vehicles. No injuries have been reported.

Warning lamp and switch failures may cause airbag failure or inability to start vehicle

March 8, 2012 (Torrance, CA)– Toyota Motor Sales, USA announced yesterday that it will conduct two voluntary safety-related recalls. 

One involves air bag warning lamps that may fail, preventing deployment of airbags in a crash. The second is a stop lamp switch that may result in vehicles behind unable to start or shift out of park.

Company went out of business without recalling dangerous product

December 25, 2011 (Washington D.C.)--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers again not to use the ShoulderFlex Massager, imported by King International and sold by various companies, due to serious potential health risks. 

Hair, clothing or jewelry can become entangled in the ShoulderFlex Massager and cause serious injury or even death from strangulation. There have been reports of one death and one near death, due to strangulation, associated with the use of this device.

November 16, 2011 (San Diego) – Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures have been recalled and quarantined statewide by the California Department of Public Health after five children who drank the milk became infected with the same strain of E.coli. A San Diego County child was among those stricken.

Deadliest food outbreak in over a decade; illness may occur weeks after consuming Listeria bacteria

September 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Federal authorities with the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warn consumers not to eat cantaloupes unless you’re certain where they came from. If in doubt, throw it out.

Millions of cantaloupes are being recalled after sickening 72 people and leading to 16 deaths linked to Listeria in the deadliest food outbreak in a decade. The recall covers cantaloupes distributed to at least 25 states, with illnesses reported in 18 states, including California. 

September 27, 2011 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat raw oysters harvested from an area in Washington State following an outbreak of illness caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. The oysters were distributed in 23 states, including California.

August 30, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – GRIGRI 2 belaying devices used by rock-climbers to control safety ropes have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer Petzl, along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Excessive force on the handle can cause it to become stuck in the open position, disabling the assisted braking function and posing a fall hazard to climbers.