Nissan Murano scores high in SUV crash tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has picked the 2009 Nissan Murano as their top safety pick in crash-testing of SUVs. (Video available at that link as well.)

Icy Hot - a little too hot

The Food and Drug Administration announced today that Chattem, Inc., of Chattanooga, Tenn., is recalling several varieties of its Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air-Activated Heat patches "because it has received some consumer reports of first, second and third degree burns as well as skin irritation resulting from consumer use or possible misuse of these products."

Read more here at ABC News.

FDA says no increased rates of cardiac events from Prilosec, Nexium

Based on everything now known at the agency, the reported difference in the frequency of heart attacks and other heart-related problems seen in the earlier analyses of the two small long-term studies does not indicate the presence of a true effect. Therefore, FDA continues to conclude that long-term use of these drugs is not likely to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems. FDA recommends that health care providers continue to prescribe, and patients continue to use, these products as described in the labeling for the two drugs.

Read the full press release here.

Parents and grandparents still wary of Chinese goods

It will interesting to crunch the sales numbers after the holiday season is over. Witness this:

"If it says China, I don't trust anything about it," said grandmother of six Theresa Stevens while shopping at L.T. Kids, a locally-owned speciality toy store. When her 2-year-old grandchild asked for a recalled Thomas the Train toy, Stevens said she went directly to an independent toy store to find a safe alternative.

"I'd rather spend more money or buy less toys if that's what it takes to be safe," Stevens said.

California Department of Public Health Warns Consumers Not to Drink Metromint Flavored Water

December 5, 2007 -- Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned consumers not to drink Metromint brand flavored water because it may be contaminated with a bacterium called Bacillus cereus, a microorganism that may cause vomiting or diarrhea. Soma Beverage Co., LLC., of San Francisco is voluntarily recalling all bottles of Metromint brand flavored water (Peppermint, Spearmint, Orangemint and Lemonmint) with a "Best Before" date prior to 2008/12/21 (Dec. 21, 2008) and produced at its California facility because they may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The "Best Before" date is on the shoulder of the bottle.

The product was distributed nationwide to grocery stores, including those in California, and sold on the Internet.

There have been no confirmed illnesses in California associated with this product to date. There is an illness complaint in Illinois that is possibly linked to consumption of this product.

The products were packaged in clear plastic 16.9-ounce bottles with a black M on the front and the lettering "KSA" in a rectangle located on back of the bottle in the lower right-hand corner.

The products were sold at the following locations in Northern California: Albertson's, Andronico's, Berkeley Bowl, BevMo!, Brown and Cole, Central Markets, Cost Plus World Market, Draeger's, Elephant Pharmacy, Fiesta Markets, Fred Meyer, Food Emporium, Haggen, Harmon's (UT), Lunardi's, Marlene's, Super Supplements, Mollie Stone's, New Seasons, PCC, Pharmaca, PW Markets, QFD, Rosauers, Safeway, Thriftway, Top Foods, Town and Country, Uwajimaya, Whole Foods Market, Wild Oaks Market, Yokes and Zupans.

In Southern California, the products are sold at AJ's Fine Foods, Albertson's, Baron's Markets, BevMo!, Bristol Farms, Clark's Nutrition, Cost Plus World Market, Erewhon Market, Fry's, Gelson's, Henry's, Jensen's, Jimbo's Naturally, Lazy Acres, Mother's Market, New Frontiers, One World Fine Foods, Organic To Go, Pacific Coast Greens, Pavillions, Pharmaca, Ralph's, Sprouts, Sunflower, Vitality Juice and Java Bar, Vons, Wally's Win and Spirits, Wild Oats Market and Whole Foods Market. Illness caused by Bacillus cereus may be either a vomiting or a diarrheal type. The vomiting type is characterized by nausea and vomiting within 30 minutes to six hours after consumption of contaminated foods. Duration of symptoms is generally less than 24 hours. The diarrheal type usually includes onset of abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea six to 15 hours after consumption of contaminated food. Symptoms may last for 24 to 48 hours.

Consumers in possession of the recalled product should discard it or return it to the point of purchase. Individuals who have become ill from drinking the product should contact their health care provider for evaluation.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (415) 979-0781, Ext. 101.

Nautilus Recalls Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms Due to Risk of Injury

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms

Units: About 68,000

Importer: Nautilus Inc., of Vancouver, Wash.

Manufacturer: Land America Ltd., of China

Hazard: The fasteners used to secure the rod box to the frame of the equipment can come loose, allowing the resistance rods or rod box to separate and strike the user or a bystander.

Incidents/Injuries: Nautilus has received ten reports of rod box separation, including three reports of consumers suffering bruised arms, sore elbows, and a sore back.

Description: The recalled home gyms are equipped with pulleys, resistance rods, and other equipment, which allow the user to perform a variety of exercises. “Bowflex Ultimate 2” is written on the vertical part of the frame.

Sold at: Specialty fitness retailers nationwide and through direct sales from June 2005 to August 2007 for about $2,300.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled home gym until a repair kit is installed. Registered owners are being sent a free repair kit. Owners who have not received a repair kit by the end of the first week in January 2008 should contact the firm.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Nautilus at (800) 259-9019 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.bowflex.com