The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.
Name of Product: Bally Total Fitness, Everlast, Valeo and Body Fit Fitness Balls
Units: About 3 million
Manufacturer: EB Brands, of Yonkers, New York
Hazard: An overinflated fitness ball can unexpectedly burst while in use, causing the user to fall to the floor.
Incidents/Injuries: EB Brands has received 47 reports of fitness balls unexpectedly bursting, including reports of a fracture, and multiple bruises.
Description: This recall involves rubber fitness balls sold in 55-, 65- and 75-cm diameter sizes. The fitness balls were sold with a pump and inflation instructions. The fitness balls were sold in various colors with the Bally Total Fitness, Everlast or Valeo logo printed on the ball.
Sold at: Department stores and fitness retailers nationwide from May 2000 to February 2009 for between $15 and $30.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should contact EB Brands to receive a copy of the updated instructions on how to safely inflate the ball.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact EB Brands at (800) 624-5671 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.ebbrands.com.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Acai Berry Scams
CSPI Warns Consumers of Web-Based Açai Berry Scams
Just as millions of Americans enter another weight-loss phase -- this time for bathing suit season -- the Center for Science in the Public Interest, is warning consumers about companies using "fake blogs, fishy science and hard-to-cancel credit card transactions to bilk consumers" through the sales of acai pills.
CSPI is warning consumers not to enroll online in supposedly free trials of diet products made from acai berry (pronounced a-sigh-EE).
Again, according to CSPI, there's no evidence whatsoever to suggest that açai pills will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse colons, enhance sexual desire, or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions.
And to insult to the wound, thousands of consumers report difficulties stopping recurrent charges on their credit cards when they cancel their free trials.
Here's the best quote from CSPI:
"If Bernard Madoff were in the food business, he’d be offering 'free' trials of açai-based weight-loss products," said CSPI senior nutritionist David Schardt, who authored an exposé of the scam in the April issue of CSPI’s Nutrition Action Healthletter. "Law enforcement has yet to catch up to these rogue operators. Until they do, consumers have to protect themselves."
Why the Popularity?
In early 2008, Açai received some publicity when Dr. Mehmet Oz included açai among tomatoes, blueberries, broccoli, and other healthy foods in a segment on Oprah.
A guest on Rachael Ray also talked about an açai beverage.
Since then, ads on Google, Facebook, and major news media web sites have misleadingly steered consumers to sites with names like Oprah-best-acai.com , OprahsAmazingDiet.com, DrOzMiracle.com, rachaelray.drozdiet-acaiberry.com and dozens of others.
Oprah Winfrey, Mehmet Oz, and Rachael Ray have all publicly disassociated themselves from the açai sites that make unauthorized use their names.
Once again, EDUCATION is key! No magic pills... and now, no magic berries!!
Just as millions of Americans enter another weight-loss phase -- this time for bathing suit season -- the Center for Science in the Public Interest, is warning consumers about companies using "fake blogs, fishy science and hard-to-cancel credit card transactions to bilk consumers" through the sales of acai pills.
CSPI is warning consumers not to enroll online in supposedly free trials of diet products made from acai berry (pronounced a-sigh-EE).
Again, according to CSPI, there's no evidence whatsoever to suggest that açai pills will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse colons, enhance sexual desire, or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions.
And to insult to the wound, thousands of consumers report difficulties stopping recurrent charges on their credit cards when they cancel their free trials.
Here's the best quote from CSPI:
"If Bernard Madoff were in the food business, he’d be offering 'free' trials of açai-based weight-loss products," said CSPI senior nutritionist David Schardt, who authored an exposé of the scam in the April issue of CSPI’s Nutrition Action Healthletter. "Law enforcement has yet to catch up to these rogue operators. Until they do, consumers have to protect themselves."
Why the Popularity?
In early 2008, Açai received some publicity when Dr. Mehmet Oz included açai among tomatoes, blueberries, broccoli, and other healthy foods in a segment on Oprah.
A guest on Rachael Ray also talked about an açai beverage.
Since then, ads on Google, Facebook, and major news media web sites have misleadingly steered consumers to sites with names like Oprah-best-acai.com , OprahsAmazingDiet.com, DrOzMiracle.com, rachaelray.drozdiet-acaiberry.com and dozens of others.
Oprah Winfrey, Mehmet Oz, and Rachael Ray have all publicly disassociated themselves from the açai sites that make unauthorized use their names.
Once again, EDUCATION is key! No magic pills... and now, no magic berries!!
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