New standard for laundry detergent laundry packet design and packaging moves forward
Sept. 4, 2015, Reuters/PRNewswire
New ASTM safety standard for labeling and packaging individually wrapped liquid detergent laundry packets is on track for final approval on Sept. 15, according to the standards group. The new standard details packaging intended to mask the visibility of the packet and be labeled with warnings.
Van Hollen, Slaughter seek probe of lead paint deals
Sept. 1, 2015, The Baltimore Sun
Two representatives ask for Justice Department investigation into practice of companies that buy lawsuit settlements of lead-poisoning victims in Baltimore for cents on the dollars. State officials looking into businesses that swap guaranteed regular payments over years for one-time smaller payments up front.
Why more organic food means more safety recalls
Sept. 4, 2015, American Council on Science and Health
Researchers alarmed by the 700 percent increase in organic food recalls since 2013 note that it may not be simply poor control methods. Organic food is twice as likely to be susceptible to bacterial contamination, according to a study in California. Production methods are also a factor, the research suggests.
Car seat safety study: 42% of car seats, vehicles not compatible
Sept. 1, 2015, Channel 6-ABC News, Indianapolis
Ohio State researchers analyzed nearly 3,600 potential combinations of car seat models and vehicles. They found many had compatibility issues that can cause children to ride in unsuitable positions, elevating the risk of injury. One car seat expert suggests “try before you buy” approach.
Takata airbag recall likely to be smaller than projected
Sept. 2, 2015, The Detroit Bureau
Regulators who initially estimated that 34 million driver and passenger side airbags needing to be recalled have sharply reduced this number by about 40%. The reduced count is due to the large number of vehicles with the airbags that were sold outside of the U.S., and some vehicles were counted twice reflecting both driver and passenger side airbags. NHTSA now estimates the affected population to be 23.4 million airbags used in 19.2 million vehicles.
Throwing caution to the winds: CEO stock option pay may increase product safety problems
August 31, 2015, Notre Dame
A team of business school researchers found that an incentive tool used by many boards of directors encourage CEOs to take higher risk initiatives. Study’s lead author says there is a “positive relationship between the proportion of CEP pay consisting of stock options measured over two years, and the occurrence of product recall in the subsequent years.”
Blue Bell back on shelves, can it win back consumer trust?
Sept. 2, 2015, Food Product Design
After a 4 month hiatus due to Listeria outbreak that resulted in 20 people being hospitalized and three deaths in Kansas, Blue Bell Creameries began restocking grocery freezers with ice cream. But a food editor says that the fact that Blue Bell knew of Listeria contamination in 2013, but failed to contact federal authorities is a “major hurdle to overcome” in rebuilding public trust.
Supply chain compliance: how to ease the pain of third-party assessments
Sept. 1, 2015, Continuity Central
Compliance demands are becoming more stringent and complex, as many businesses are called upon to assess their part suppliers, as well as be ready to be assessed themselves. One business consultant suggests a team approach be developed to respond to inquiries and that a data base of compliance evidence be maintained for quick use when required.
JPMA announces September is baby safety month
Sept. 1, 2015, SFGate
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association hopes to help educate parents and caregivers on safeguarding against hidden hazards in homes. They cite furniture tip-overs as a leading cause for injury to young children as well as risks posed by other hazards outlined at a consumer-focused website: babsafetyzone.org.
Auto recalls expected to rise through 2016, yet few have product safety and recall analytics programs
Sept. 1, 2015, PRNewswire
Only 8% of auto executives say they use advanced predictive analytics to help prevent, prepare for or manage product recalls, although over 42% of those surveyed expect more industry recalls in 2015 and 2016, a Deloitte on line poll shows. Over 90% of those surveyed report that working relationships between suppliers and OEMs are impacted by recalls.
