Recalls Galore: Cribs and Strollers and Meds… Oh My!

My dad called me, all freaked out: “Did you hear about the crib recall?”

ME:  Who is this?

DAD:  Stop being a smart-ass.  The recall — it was in THE NEW YORK POST, for crying out loud!

The Post is my dad’s Bible, so you can imagine his chagrin.  I obligingly Googled it and, lo and behold, there have been quite a few child-related recalls lately.  Here’s the lowdown (thanks, Dad):

Graco strollers:

Today’s Graco recall, affecting about 1.5 million strollers, is the largest in U.S. history.  Yikes.   Models include Graco’s Passage™, Alano™ and Spree™ Strollers and Travel Systems.  According to a news report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the hinges on the strollers’ canopy pose a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is opening or closing the canopy.  Although the owner’s manual clearly states: “AVOID FINGER ENTRAPMENT: Use care when folding and unfolding the stroller.  Be certain the stroller is fully erected and latched before allowing your child near the stroller,” seven children have lost fingers because of this problem.

Find model numbers and learn how to obtain a free repair kit here.

Dorel cribs:

Dorel Cribs’ recall was announced yesterday. About 635,000 of Asia Dorel cribs are affected. The CPSC reports that the drop-side hardware can fail, causing the drop-side to detach from the crib, posing suffocation and strangulation hazards.  In addition, the recalled cribs can pose the same dangers when a slat is damaged.  Find out which cribs are recalled, and how to take action, here.

Children’s Tylenol and Motrin

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has announced a recall of two types of children’s Tylenol and three types of children’s Motrin.

This recall is part of a larger product recall that includes various over-the-counter drugs — including adult medications — made by McNeil.

The drugs are being recalled due to reports of an unusual, moldy, musty, mildew-like odor.  Lovely!  In a small number of cases, the odor has been linked with symptoms like nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.

The children’s medications being recalled include:

• Children’s Tylenol Bubblegum Meltaway 30 count (NDC Code # 50580-519-30, UPC Code # 300450519306), lots AHA069 and SPA022
• Children’s Tylenol Grape Meltaway 30 count (NCD Code # 50580-518-30, UPC Code # 300450518309), lots AHA023 and AHA057
• Junior Strength Motrin IB Grape Chewable 24 count (NCD Code # 50580-909-24, UCP Code # 300450909244), lots ADM006, ADM052, AFM016, AFM350, AHM420, AJM346, ALM344, ALM399, AMM379, APM303, APM418, APM429, and SLM084
• Junior Strength Motrin IB Caplet 24 count (NCD Code # 50580-498-24, UPC Code # 300450498243), lots AJM322 and APM348
• Junior Strength Motrin IB Orange Chewable 24 count (NCD Code # 50580-207-24, UPC Code # 300450494245), lots ADM013, AFM024, AHM402, AJM345, ALM326, ALM456, AMM381, APM306, and APM421

The lot numbers are printed on the side of the bottle label.

McNeil is recalling all product lots with any chance of being affected, even if they haven’t been the subject of any consumer complaints.

The company has determined that the odd smell is caused by trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA), which is a known breakdown product of a pesticide and flame retardant used to treat the wooden pallets that store and move the medicine bottles.

In addition to the recall, McNeil says it will stop shipment of all products that use materials transported on these wooden pallets and require all of its suppliers to discontinue using the pallets.

The recall comes after McNeil received a warning letter from the United States FDA.  The agency criticized the company for failing to react quickly enough to consumer complaints.  Tsk, tsk.