Several recalls were announced this week, including ones for air bags, frozen food and sunflower seeds.
The latest list includes:
Takata air bags
Items recalled: Takata has expanded its air bag recall to include up to 40 million vehicles, affecting 23 percent of all U.S. vehicles, according to Department of Transportation.
Why: The air bag inflator may rupture, posing a safety risk. There have been 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries related to this recall, according to the DOT.
More details: A total of 14 automakers are affected by the recall, including models dating back to 2001. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published a list of affected vehicles, which will be updated to include this recall when the information becomes available, according to the site.
CRF Frozen Foods frozen fruits and vegetables
Items recalled: CRF Frozen Foods expanded its initial recall of 15 types of its frozen fruits and vegetables to cover 358 products sold under 42 separate brands.
Why: The frozen vegetables may be contaminated with listeria, which can lead to serious and potentially fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed the company that seven people from three states were hospitalized due to listeria. Some illnesses have been linked to eating the recalled products. The agency also told CRF that two of the hospitalized individuals later died, although listeria was not the cause of death.
More details: The recalled products may have been purchased in all 50 states as well as parts of Canada. The company suspended operations at its Washington facility as of April 25, 2016, after the initial recall. Customers can return the products to the place of purchase for a refund.
Read more about the recall here.
Sunflower seeds
Items recalled: Several companies nationwide have issued recalls of products containing sunflower seeds, including Planters, Giant Eagle, TreeHouse Foods, Hickory Harvest Foods, Dakota's Best Biggy'z, Kroger and Mountain Thins.
Why: SunOpta, a major supplier of sunflower seeds, recalled its product due to a possible listeria contamination. Listeria infections can lead to serious and potentially fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported to date.
More details: Customers who have purchased any of the affected products can contact the place of purchase for a refund.
Rival electric water kettle
Items recalled: Wal-Mart issued a recall of 1.2 million Rival electric water kettles.
Why: The company received 80 reports of incidents, including seven reports of burns. The heating element may break, posing burn and shock hazards.
More details: The kettles were sold in Wal-Mart stores nationwide and on the company's website from March 2011 through October 2015 for around $14. Consumers can return the kettles to any Wal-Mart for a full refund.
Read more about the recall here.
Munchkin pacifiers
Items recalled: Munchkin issued a recall of around 180,000 of its Latch lightweight pacifiers and clips, sold as a set.
Why: The company has received 10 reports of the clip cover detaching from the clip, posing a choking hazard. No injuries have been reported to date.
More details: The product was sold at Babies R Us, Wal-Mart and other stores, as well as online at the Munchkin's site, Amazon and other websites, from March 2014 through March 2016. The pacifier and clip set cost between $11 and $15. Consumers can contact Munchkin for a free replacement lightweight pacifier pack or a full refund.
Read more about the recall here.
BRP side-by-side off-road vehicles
Items recalled: BRP issued a recall of about 10,600 model year 2013 Can-Am Commander side-by-side vehicles with dynamic power steering.
Why: The company has received 29 reports of incidents, including two reports of minor injuries. The steering wheel coupling can strip, causing the driver to lose steering control and posing a crash hazard.
More details: The side-by-side vehicles were sold at Can-Am dealers nationwide from April 2012 through April 2016. They cost between $12,600 and $20,100. Consumers can contact the company to schedule an appointment for an inspection and free repair, available starting June 30. The company is notifying registered users directly about the recall.
Read more about the recall here.
Blue Bell ice cream
Items recalled: Blue Bell issued a voluntary recall of its rocky road ice cream.
Why: A Texas plant may have mispackaged the rocky road ice cream into cookies 'n cream ice cream containers. The cookies 'n cream ice cream contains undeclared soy and wheat allergens, posing a serious risk to those who have a soy or wheat allergy. No illnesses have been reported to date.
More details: The ice cream was distributed in Texas and Louisiana through retailers, including convenience stores, supermarkets, and food service accounts. There are no safety concerns for those without soy or wheat allergies. Consumers can return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Read more about the recall here.
Vitalicious VitaTops
Items recalled: The company issued a voluntary recall of its Vitalicious apple crumb VitaTops.
Why: The recalled products may contain undeclared milk, posing a serious risk to those with milk allergies. The product is safe to consume for those without milk allergies. No illnesses have been reported to date.
More details: The affected products were only sold via online ordering and began shipping on March 21, 2016. The VitaTops were sold in cases of 12 units, 24 units, or variety packs. Consumers can contact the company for a refund.
Read more about the recall here.
CSM Bakery Solutions' baked goods
Items recalled: The company issued a voluntary recall of two products, including its 8-inch single-layer red velvet cake and its 12-inch decorated chocolate chip cookie.
Why: The recalled products may contain undeclared peanuts, posing a serious risk to those with peanut allergies. No illnesses have been reported to date.
More details: The red velvet cake was sold in Safeway stores in Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota and Nebraska. The chocolate chip cookies were sold in Acme stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York, and Jewel stores in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. Consumers can return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Read more about the recall here.
Giant Eagle baked goods
Items recalled: The company issued a recall of all lots of its Walnut Delight and Pecan Tassie cookies.
Why: The recalled products may contain undeclared milk, posing a serious risk to those with milk allergies. The products are safe to consume for those without milk allergies. No illnesses have been reported to date.
More details: Products with sell by dates through May 3, 2016 are included in the recall. Around 44,000 purchases of Pecan Tassies and 290 purchases of Walnut Delights have been affected. The baked goods were prepared in Giant Eagle and Market District supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana. Consumers can return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Giant Eagle is also notifying consumers using purchase data and phone numbers available through the Giant Eagle Advantage Card database.
Read more about the recall here.