Contamination problems continue to dog a Wisconsin firm that manufactures medical supplies.  This week the FDA issued a safety alert for Povidone iodine swabs, recalled because facilities has no contamination checks in place.  The products are used to prepare skin surfaces for surgery and other medical procedures that require antiseptic conditions at the surface.

Povidone iodine products come in many forms: swabs, sticks, scrubs, and gels and are manufactured by a sister company to Triad Group.  Triad Group is involved several lawsuits over its recalled alcohol swabs which were found to be contaminated with Bacillus cereus.  Several deaths and serious injuries have been attributed to this bacterium found on Triad’s alcohol swipes.

Now it looks as if H&P Industries might face similar consequences…lawsuits and possibly a class action lawsuit.  The FDA found there was no system in place to check for microbial contamination before the iodine swabs and bottles of gel were distributed to hospitals and stores all over the country.

This is the latest in a series of massive product recalls for Triad Group and H&P Industries.  Povidone iodine prep pads have even been previously recalled because of microbial contamination.

Britax has announced a B-Nimble Stroller recall because parents might think the brakes are on when they are not.  As with any product recall issued by a company in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, consumers are urged to stop using the recalled product immediately and contact the store or the manufacturer to get a refund.

20,000 B-Nimble strollers were distributed in the United States and about 800 strollers in Canada all fall under the recalled product list.

The recalled B-Nimble strollers were made in China and consumer can contact the manufacturer, Britax, which is in Charlotte, North Carolina for a full refund.

Big Lots is recalling 30,000 metal futon bunk beds for children after a three year old became trapped and died in the bed’s frame.  The metal futon bunk bed recall urges consumers to immediately contact Big lots and get a free repair kit.

The metal bunk beds were sold at Big Lots nationwide from 2009 to 2010 and cost around $2oo.  They came in a box and consumes had to assemble them at home.  Beds involved in the metal futon bunk bed recall were made in China.

The danger is posed when the the futon lower part of the bunk bed set is lowered to the flat position.  Children can get trapped if they are behind the futon.

Target is expanding a previous recall after more reports were received of falls.  The original Target booster seat recall was issued in 2009 and affected 43,000 seats.  This week, another 375,000 booster seats are recalled after the Minneapolis, MN company got more reports of injuries after children fell out of the seats.

The booster seat buckle can open suddenly, and the child can fall forward out of the seat.  Reports of bumps and bruises were the reason for the latest Target booster seat recall.

Units recalled were manufactured in China and sold at Target stores nationwide between 2005 and 2009.  They retailed for about $13.

A GE air conditioner recall was issued after it was discovered that they pose a fire hazard.  Around 90,000 AC/heating units are affected.  The recalled units have an electrical component in the heating system which can malfunction or fail.  This poses a fire danger to anyone using the product.

The GE air conditioner recall affects AC and heating units distributed by GE Appliances and Lighting in Kentucky, but manufactured by Sharp Corp of Japan.  The AC/heating units were made in China.

A Calphalon knife recall was issued this week, after it was discovered that some of the knives in the set can protrude through the knife block.  The protruding knife tips can cause lacerations, so the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued the voluntary recall.

The full name of the recalled product is Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery Knife Set, which consists of knives that fit into grooves in a wooden knife block.  There are 2 8-inch long knives that are longer than the grooves, so the tips stick through the bottom of the block.  This poses a laceration hazard.

Calphalon Corporation is based in Atlanta, GA and is cooperating with the CPSC in the Calphalon knife recall.  The sets are made in China.

A Harbinger Ab Strap recall has been issued after two injury reports came in when the straps broke and caused lacerations.  The recalled item is used for exercising ab muscles, with nylon slings to hang from.  The slings are adjusted with plastic buckles, which can break.  This causes the person hanging in the straps to fall.

The company, Harbinger Fitness, out of California, is cooperating with the voluntary recall, and offers a free replacement if consumers call them or email them.  The Harbinger Ab Strap recall affects just over 4800 units, all of which were made in China.

Around 1,400 air exchangers are recalled this week after it was found that the products may cause fires.  The Venmar Ventilator recall calls for consumers to stop using the product and get it inspected and repaired by a qualified Venmar technician.

Air exchangers are sold by building supply stores and through heating and plumbing contractors nationwide.  The product is used to circulate air throughout the home and are made of metal.  This Venmar Ventilator recall involves units that were made between 1996 and 2001.

The manufacturer, Venmar Ventilation, is based in Quebec, Canada.  They have received nine reports of overheating situations that resulted in fires and damage to property but none of them have occurred in the United States.

A musical instrument is at the heart of the Gripper Shaker recall, issued this month after a report came in that the handles can come off.  The hazard is due to rough edges being exposed and small steel pellets flying out, and a small plastic plug that poses a choking hazard.

The units are plastic, and come in green or blue.  The marking “B4″ is stamped on the round end of each shaker, making it easy to identify the model targeted in the Gripper Shaker recall.

A sewing machine recall has been issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission after it was discovered that wires can short circuit.  The unit involved is the Elna eXcellence 740 sewing machine, which is white with a navy blue control panel.

No reports have been received by the seller, and the sewing machine recall is voluntary.  The sewing machines were manufactured in Japan and in Taiwan, and imported by Janome America Inc, out of Mahwah, NJ.

The wires that are of concern in the sewing machine recall are located inside the units, and consumers should stop using the machines.  Return the machine to where it was purchased and receive a free repair.