Government Shutdown, Furlough Affects Reacalls, Not A Single Drug, Food, Vehicular Or Toy Recall Since 21st December 2018

Most federal services are closed due to government shutdown. I have only noticed one recall on FDA site them. Other entities like, USDA, CDC, HHS, CPSC, NHTSA and EPA have not released any recall since.
We will keep on looking.
As I recall most recalls happens during the holiday season due to various reasons. Wish you all a safe holidays.
Every department has a similar message as shown below;

FDA Lapse in Funding 

In the absence of either an FY 2019 appropriation or a Continuing Resolution for FDA, beginning on December 22, 2018 and continuing until the date of enactment of an FY 2019 appropriation or Continuing Resolution ("lapse period"), agency operations continue to the extent permitted by law, such as activities necessary to address imminent threats to the safety of human life and activities funded by carryover user fee funds.

Due to a lapse in appropriations, EPA websites will not be regularly updated. In the event of an environmental emergency imminently threatening the safety of human life or where necessary to protect certain property, the EPA website will be updated with appropriate information. Please note that all information on the EPA website may not be up to date, and transactions and inquiries submitted to the EPA website may not be processed or responded to until appropriations are enacted.

 

 

Holiday Toy Safety, How CPSC Does The Task

Find out how CPSC makes sure toys are safe for your children before they get to the stores.

Winter Bee Agrees to $200,000 Civil Penalty for Failing to Report Drawstrings in Children's Sweatshirts

Winter Bee Agrees to $200,000 Civil Penalty for Failing to Report Drawstrings in Children's Sweatshirts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Winter Bee Inc. of Los Angeles, Calif., has agreed to a civil penalty of $200,000. The penalty settlement (pdf), which has been accepted provisionally by the Commission, provides that Winter Bee must pay $40,000 of the $200,000 penalty. The Commission agreed to suspend $160,000 of the penalty because the firm demonstrated an inability to pay the full amount. The full amount could become due immediately if CPSC finds that Winter Bee misrepresented its financial condition. The settlement resolves CPSC staff allegations that Winter Bee knowingly failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that children's hooded sweatshirts it manufactured and sold had drawstrings at the neck.
Children's upper outerwear with drawstrings, including sweatshirts, poses a strangulation hazard to children that can result in serious injury or death. In June 2009, CPSC and Winter Bee announced a recall of 80,000 children's hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings at the neck. Winter Bee manufactured and sold two styles of these sweatshirts under the brand name "Speedy" at various retailers in the Los Angeles area.
CPSC issued drawstring guidelines (pdf) in 1996, to help prevent children from strangling on or getting entangled in the neck and waist drawstrings of upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts. In 1997, industry adopted a voluntary standard for drawstrings that incorporated the CPSC guidelines. In May 2006, CPSC's Office of Compliance announced (pdf) that children's upper outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or neck would be regarded as defective and as presenting a substantial risk of injury to young children.
Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or fails to comply with any consumer product safety rule or any other rule, regulation, standard, or ban enforced by CPSC.
In agreeing to the settlement, Winter Bee denies CPSC staff allegations that it knowingly violated the law.
Statement of Commissioner Nancy Nord on the Proposed Civil Penalty Settlement for Winter Bee (pdf)

Coby Electronics Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player Recall and Polar Bear Gift Shop Children's Hooded Sweatshirts Recall, (CPSC Recalls)

Low Return Rate and Additional Reports of Fires Prompt Reannouncement of Coby Electronics Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player Recalls (Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:20:00 GMT) The rechargeable batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Children's Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Polar Bear Gift Shop Due to Strangulation Hazard (Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:20:00 GMT) The sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children.

Ross StoresTo Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty For Failing To Follow CPSC Issued Drawstring Guidelines

In February 1996, CPSC issued drawstring guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled in the neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts. In May 2006, CPSC’s Office of Compliance announced (pdf) that children’s upper outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or neck would be regarded as defective and as creating a substantial risk of injury to young children.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Ross Stores Inc., of Pleasanton, Calif. has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $500,000. The penalty settlement, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, resolves CPSC staff allegations that Ross knowingly failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that children’s hooded sweatshirts it sold had drawstrings at the neck.

Children’s upper outerwear with drawstrings, including sweatshirts, pose a strangulation hazard to children which can result in serious injury or death. CPSC and the sweatshirts’ importers announced recalls (07-777, 08-121, 08-146, 08-192) of the products.

In agreeing to the settlement, Ross Stores denies CPSC's allegations that it knowingly violated the law.

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Tags: CPSC, drawstring guidelines, ROSS Stores