Health Alerts - March 2002

Britax Child Safety Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., along with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is recalling 4,959 Advantage convertible child restraints because one of the tether attachments can separate from the seat shell in a vehicle crash, allowing increased head movement.

The recalled child restraints, model E9022, have production dates of March 5 to July 26, shown on the label on the side of the restraint.

To request a free repair kit, call Britax at (888) 427-4829, prompt #2.

According to NHTSA, consumers can continue using the seats but should make the repair promptly.

For more information, contact Britax Child Safety Inc.,13501 South Ridge Drive, Charlotte, NC 28273; (888) 427-4829. Or call the NHTSA toll-free auto safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Safeline Kids Inc., of Northglenn, Colo., in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is recalling 3,522 Sit ’n’ Stroll child restraints because the certification label was printed in yellow instead of red, which is required when the restraint is used on aircraft.

The child restraints, model 2240, were manufactured between April 1 and Oct. 31. The yellow label on the right side of the item reads: “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”

Check the manufacturing date on the label on the side of the child restraint or molded in plastic on the upper back area of the unit. If the manufacturing date falls within the time period mentioned above and the label is yellow, Safeline will provide a free replacement label.

Continue to use the product but obtain the new label in case the restraint is used on aircraft.

To receive a replacement label, call Safeline Kids at (800) 829-1625, e-mail [email protected], or write to: 475 W. 115th Ave., Suite 3, Northglenn, CO 80234.

Campbell Soup Co. of Camden, N.J., is recalling 19,792 cases (12 cans in a case) of its 18.7-ounce cans of Campbell’s Ready To Serve Classic Tomato soup because they may contain undeclared milk and soy protein. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk and/or soy proteins could have serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.

The mislabeled cans contain Ready To Serve Classic Creamy Tomato Soup and not Ready To Serve Classic Tomato Soup as shown and described on the label.

There have been two consumer complaints but no illnesses reported.

The recalled soup was distributed in 37 states through retail stores. The date code on the product is stamped on two lines on the bottom of the can, as follows: NOV 2002 11211— CT KSYT (four numbers representing military time).

Return the product to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

For information, call Campbell’s consumer hotline at (800) 637-7687.

Custom Buoyancy Inc. (CBI), of Torrance, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 7,700 overpressure valves (OPVs) used with buoyancy control systems because the valve can stick in the open position, posing a drowning hazard to divers.

There have been three reports of the valves sticking open, but no injuries occurred.

The recalled valve was installed on buoyancy control systems with the following brand names: Diving Unlimited International (DUI), International Divers, Ocean Management Systems, Rip Tide and Steam Machines. Brand names and logos are on the epaulets and pockets.

These buoyancy control systems come in a jacket and a wings style. The date code, printed on a label sewn to the buoyancy control system, is the first four numbers after the brand name abbreviation. The first two numbers indicate the month and the second two, the year. Recalled valves show date codes from October 2000 through June 2001.

Valves with an asterisk below the serial number are not recalled.

CBI distributors sold the buoyancy control systems with the OPVs nationwide from October 2000 through November 2001 for $590.

Stop using the buoyancy control systems with these OPVs and contact the CBI dealer where purchased for a free replacement valve. For more information, contact CBI at (866) 790-5099 or www.custombuoyancy.com.

Diving Unlimited International (DUI) Inc., a CBI dealer, recalled buoyancy control systems with these OPVs in December 2001.