10 notorious product recalls

Product recall two words guaranteed to make you think carefully about what you’ve recently bought.

Ever opened up a newspaper and spotted details of something you own beneath the words ‘product recall’? If so, you probably didn’t rest until you’d checked whether it was safe to use.

The latest product to get the treatment is a kettle sold by Asda.

In recent days, adverts have appeared urging consumers who’ve bought the Asda Stainless Steel Traditional Kettle to return it for a full refund. It follows concerns there could be a risk of the kettle leaking during use and causing an electric shock.

While it will be a big worry for anyone who has bought one, it’s just one of thousands of product recalls that happen every year. These can range from the seemingly trivial to the downright terrifying.

Here are 10 recalls that gave the companies involved a major headache.

1. In January 2012, car maker Toyota issued its second recall in three months, affecting 4.1 million vehicles in the USA and Europe. It had become apparent that accelerator pedals could get stuck, causing unintended acceleration. It followed a recall of 5.3 million cars with badly-fitting floor mats which could trap pedals.

2. A Chinese milk powder manufacturer recalled 700 tons of baby formula in 2008 after a child died and more than 50 others developed kidney problems. Melamine, a chemical used in the making of plastic, had been added to cut costs and boost protein levels.

3. The Ford Pinto is a regular on lists of the worst cars of all time. In the 1970s Ford in the US had to recall 1.5 million Pintos to make them safe after concerns a rear-end collision could cause them to explode. There was outrage when it became apparent the firm knew about the potential risk but pressed on with launching the car.

4. Computer maker Dell recalled 4.1 million notebook batteries sold between April 2004 and July 2006 after reports that some had overheated so badly they caused property damage. The batteries were made by Sony.

5. In 2000, it became apparent that some Firestone tyres fitted to Ford cars in the USA had a high failure rate, with tyres disintegrating while the car was in motion. At least 200 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries were attributed to the problem.

6. Hundreds of products containing Worcestershire sauce had to be taken off supermarket shelves in 2005 after it was discovered the sauce had been contaminated with a carcinogenic dye known as Sudan 1. The risk to consumers was said to be ‘very low’ by food experts.

7. Until January 2013 most consumers assumed beefburgers contained at least some beef. Then came the horse meat scandal which brought to light the fact that many contained horse flesh. As public distrust of supermarkets and manufacturers grew, 10 million burgers were recalled, leading to empty shelves.

8. Last year, the Bright Starts Start Your Senses Zebra toy was withdrawn from sale when it was discovered to include Aniline Yellow, a dye considered to be a cancer risk. Used in computer printers, insecticides, paint and varnishes, it is toxic and prohibited from products that might be chewed by babies.

9. Indesit and Hotpoint recalled some of their washing machines in May 2013 because the drum could tear apart. In some instances this caused debris to fly from the machine. The affected machines were produced between 2007 and 2009.

10. In 2006, over a million Cadbury chocolate bars were removed from sale amid fears they could be contaminated with salmonella. The contamination was caused by a leaking pipe at the factory.

Product recalls can be voluntary or compulsory, says Robert Chantry-Price, joint lead officer on product safety with the Trading Standards Institute.

With voluntary recalls, manufacturers may spot a problem with their product and issue a recall before they’ve even had any complaints.

He explained: “At the other end of the scale, a manufacturer says they don’t think there is a problem and isn’t go in to do anything about it but trading standards insists on a recall. Most manufacturers go for a voluntary recall as it does less damage to their reputation. They want to be in business next week.”

Robert says there can be fine line between manufacturing or design problems and consumer misuse.

“One manufacturer of buggies wondered why he was getting so many returns until he spotted an adult standing on the seat to hammer in a windbreak on a beach. The pushchair maker had put foam on the handles to stop hands getting cold.

“He discovered that bored children were picking away at it when the mums stopped to talk to someone. It wasn’t something they could have anticipated, but as it wouldn’t have been good if children started eating the foam, he started putting a thicker skin on the foam.”

Between 1,500 and 2000 non-food products are reported on the EU-wide reporting system RAPEX each year, athough not all are products sold in the UK.

“The four main areas are electrical items, clothing, childcare such as cots, and toys.”

Robert explained that product recalls tend to be more successful for costlier items.

“There’s no absolute way of getting everyone, but with big-price items like cars they tend to be very good at it because you’ll register with them. With electrical items like TVs manufacturers tend to put a registration card in with the packaging. With childcare products and clothing there probably isn’t a registration card, so if there is a problem you have to rely on notices in the press or in the shop window.”

“My guess is that in motor industry probably sixty to eighty percent of people respond to recalls, but with cheap toys it’s probably two or three percent. By the time something comes to light, the child has probably lost interest in that toy.”

British consumers are well served by the recall system, believes Robert.

“It works but one of the problems is that there aren’t enough trading standards offices to police the hundreds of thousands of products on the market. We’re very fortunate in this country in that we have one of the best ranges of product safety legislation in the world.”

Product recalls can be issued for anything from cars to chocolate to toys. Here’s a selection of those currently active.

ASDA Choco Sprinkles, 64g

This product (best before May 31, 2015) may contain traces of milk but this isn’t mentioned on the packaging, a potential problem for those with a milk allergy. Take them to your nearest store for a refund. No receipt needed.

Suntour Forks Trek bicycles

On certain models of Trek bikes sold between 2011 and 2013, the front suspension fork could break, meaning a cyclist would lose control. To see if your Trek bicycle is affected please visit the safety and recall section of www.trekbikes.com.A.lternatively please visit your Trek or Scott retailer for further information

Symington’s Ragu White Lasagne Sauce (454g)

The pH level of some jars in a batch don’t comply with industry safety standards for pasteurised products. Don’t eat it. Instead email Symington’s on complaints@symingtons.com for details of how to return the product for a full refund.

Hotpoint EOS platform dishwashers

Particular models of Hotpoint dishwasher made between 2008 and July 2010 may overheat and cause a fire hazard. Check if your appliance is affected at

hotpointservice.co.uk/eos/

If it is, don’t leave it unattended whilst in use until an engineer has checked it.

Mothercare mattresses

Two styles of mattress (X7547 and X7548) have been recalled over concerns about how fire retardant they are. They were sold from June 5 to 23, 2014. Return to your nearest store for exchange or full refund or contact Moth-ercare on 0344 8755122.