Consumer products are recalled when a large quantity of the product produced poses a danger to consumers. There are two types of recalls, mandatory and voluntary. Mostly all recalls a consumer will encounter will be voluntary. This means that the manufacturer of the product was not mandated from the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the product in question. Voluntary recalls usually occur when the manufacturer or retailer of a product negotiates with the federal agency in charge of overseeing the safety of that product category.
There are three classes of recalls:
1. Class I recalls are for products that could cause serious injury or death.
2. Class II recalls are for products that could cause serious injury or temporary illness.
3. Class III recalls are for products that are unlikely to cause injury or illness but violate Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.
Below are five products that were recalled in January of 2021.
- Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection, USP
On January 8, 2021, Global health care company Fresenius Kabi USA issued a voluntary recall of a single lot of Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection, USP due to presence of particulate matter. Ketorolac Tromethamine Injections are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are used in short-term management of moderately severe acute pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level. The recalled injections contained particulate matter, which could obstruct blood vessels and result in local irritation of blood vessels, swelling at the injection site, a mass of inflamed tissue that could become inflamed or infected, blood clots that could travel to the lung, scarring of lung tissues and allergic reactions that could be life threatening. Fresenius Kabi is notifying its distributors and customers by letter and asking them to check their stock immediately and quarantine/discontinue use of the affected lot. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of the injections can be reported to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program. An online form can be submitted here.
- Sea to Summit Camping Pots
On January 13, 2021, Sea to Summit recalled 16,200 units of their Alpha and Sigma camping pots due to burn and scald hazards. The nylon latch on the pots can disengage and cause the handle to detach which poses a burn or scald hazard. The pots were sold at REI stores nationwide and online from January 2019 to November 2020. Consumers of this product should cease use of the Alpha and Sigma pots immediately and contact Sea to Summit for a free latch repair kit. To date, Sea to Summit has received 10 reports of the pot’s latch disengaging or becoming damaged due to excessive heat exposure. No injuries have been reported.
- Belkin Portable Wireless Chargers + Stand
On January 13, 2020, Belkin recalled 2,280 units of its Portable Wireless Charger + Stand Special Edition due to fire and shock hazards. The item contains a manufacturing defect in the power supply unit that can cause the charger to malfunction and overheat which poses a fire or shock hazard. This product was sold at Apple stores worldwide and online on both Apple and Belkin’s websites from July 2020 to October 2020. Owners of this product should cease use immediately and contact Belkin for instructions on how to dispose of the charger + stand safely. Belkin is issuing full refunds or credit towards the purchase of another product.
- Massimo Motor Sports Percussion Massage Guns
On January 6, 2021, Massimo Motor Sports LLC recalled 12,360 units of its percussion massage guns due to a fire hazard. The Lithium-ion battery systems in the massage guns can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The massage guns were sold exclusively at Costco.com from April 2020 to May 2020. Consumers of this product should immediately cease use and contact Massimo for a refund. To date, Massimo has received three reports of fires with the recalled massage guns that resulted in over $15,000 of property damage. No injuries have been reported.
- Rust-Oleum Aerosol Paint
On January 6, 2021, Rust-Oleum recalled 10,500 units of its Rust-Oleum Professional Bright Galvanizing Compound Spray due to an injury hazard. The bottom of the pressurized container can detach unexpectedly, which can pose an injury hazard. This product was sold at Lowe’s, Menards, other hardware stores and online nationwide from March 2020 to October 2020. Consumers of this product should cease use immediately and contact Rust-Oleum for a full refund. To date, Rust-Oleum has received six reports of the container bottom detaching and one reported injury.
Thanks to Eglet Adams, defective product lawyers, for their information on recalled products in December of 2020.