Several recalls were announced this week, including two expansions on prior recalls.
The latest list includes:
Dräger Evita V500 and Babylog VN500 Ventilators
Items recalled: Dräger Medical is expanding a prior recall on medical equipment Evita V500 and Babylog VN500 ventilators to include the PS500, an optional battery power supply sold for use with the devices. The recall affects 2,501 units across the U.S.
Why: After a prior recall in December 2015, the company updated its software to elongate the battery life of the ventilators, but the new software did not fix the problem. The power supply issue may cause the ventilator to shut down without notice, depriving a patient of oxygen, which can result in patient injury or death. The FDA has classified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall.
More details: The ventilators are used in hospitals as well as during patient transport. The Babylog VN500 is used to provide breathing support for premature babies. The company reached out to their customers through an urgent medical device recall extension letter, alerting them to recall. Dräger Medical will replace all affected PS500 power supply units. Dräger Medical could not be reached for comment.
Toyota vehicles
Items recalled: Toyota is adding the 2008 Toyota Corolla, 2008 Toyota Matrix (also called the Toyota Corolla Matrix), and the 2008-2010 Lexus SC430 to its list of recalled models due to involvement of Takata airbags. An additional 198,000 vehicles were pulled this week.
Why: This move is the latest in the extensive Takata airbag recall, which has been responsible for several fatalities nationwide. The vehicles involved have Takata-produced front passenger airbag inflators which could be susceptible to rupture when deployed in a crash.
More details: Read the full Toyota recall notice here.
Evenflo Car Seats
Items recalled: Some 56,000 Evenflo car seats were recalled following a safety concern.
Why: The company found that Transitions 3-in-1 Combination Booster Seats manufactured before Jan. 29 gave children access to the Central Front Adjuster when used in the forward-facing harnessed booster mode. This could loosen the harness on the car seat, according to Evenflo.
More details: Customers who purchased the Transitions car seats affected by the recall are eligible to receive a free remedy kit from Evenflo that will restrict a child's access to the level, the company stated. Evenflo asserts that the seat can still be used safely if it's used in either the high-back belt-positioning booster mode or the no-backbelt-positioning booster mode. Read more on the car seat recall here.
Pelican 9410L Flashlight and 9419 Replacement Battery Packs
Items recalled: Pelican Products recalled the Pelican 9410L flashlight and 9419 replacement battery packs.
How many: Roughly 3,800 flashlights and 150 replacement battery packs in the United States and about 800 flashlights and 18 replacement battery packs sold in Canada.
Why: Pelican found that the battery packs in the flashlights can overheat, which poses a potential fire hazard. The company recommends that consumers stop using the recalled flashlights and replacement battery packs immediately. Once returned, Pelican is offering a free installation of a new battery pack or an exchange of replacement battery packs that were sold separately for a new replacement battery pack.
More details: Though Pelican has received two reports of overheating battery packs, no injuries have been reported. Sports and specialty stores in the United States carry the yellow and black flashlights, which are also available online at Amazon. The full flashlight and battery recall is here.
Maytag Blue Cheese
Items recalled: Maytag Dairy Farms has recalled its blue cheese wedges, wheels and crumbles. Whole Foods, Hy-Vee, and Schnuck Markets have pulled the items from their shelves.
Why: The maker voluntarily recalled the cheese for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms of Listeria range from high fever and abdominal pain to fatal infections and miscarriages among pregnant women.
More details: There have been no illnesses reported due to the recall to date. Customers who purchased this product are advised to discard it, and a full refund is available with receipt. Click for the full notice on the recalled cheese.