Top recalls for the week of June 3 include Fiji water, cucumbers

Fiji, cucumbers, Craftsman, Tesla, Toyota recalls overview:

• Who: Waters of Viti Ltd., Fresh Start Produce Sales, Black+Decker, Tesla and Toyota recalled products last week.
• Why: The top recalls involve product safety and possible risk of harm. 
• Where: The recalls are effective in the United States.

Several popular companies, retailers and manufacturers announced recalls last week for products that may pose a risk of injury to consumers. Here are Top Class Actions’ top recalls for the week of June 3.

Fiji recalls water due to manganese, bacteria 

Waters of Viti Ltd. recalled nearly 79,000 cases of Fiji water following the detection of manganese and three bacterial genera.

Initiated in March, the recall involves Fiji Natural Artesian Water 500 milliliters sold in 24-pack cases. Waters of Viti distributed the water through Amazon nationwide, Food Safety News reports.

Originally classified as a Class I recall, the Food and Drug Administration has since downgraded it to Class III, indicating exposure to the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. Although consuming manganese in food or beverages is generally not harmful, high levels in drinking water can lead to manganese toxicity, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

Whole cucumber recall issued due to possible salmonella contamination

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. issued a recall for cartons of whole cucumbers shipped to more than a dozen states due to potential salmonella contamination. 

The recall pertains to cucumbers shipped in bulk cartons between May 17-21.

Fresh Start distributed the recalled cucumbers to retail centers, wholesalers and food service distributors across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The company initiated the recall after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tested one cucumber and found it positive for salmonella. 

The FDA is conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if these cucumbers are linked to an ongoing salmonella africana outbreak that has affected at least 141 people. Consumers should dispose of the recalled cucumbers or return them for a refund. The affected cucumbers are dark green and approximately 1.5-2 inches in diameter and 5-9 inches long. 

Black+Decker announces recall for Craftsman tillers, cultivators due to laceration risks

Black+Decker recalled approximately 44,400 Craftsman V20 cordless tillers and cultivators due to potential laceration hazards. 

The recall pertains to the red and black Craftsman V20 Cordless Tillers/Cultivators with UPC number 885911843430, which Black+Decker sold between October 2022 and April 2024, priced between $129-$179. The concern arises from possible incorrect instructions that could lead consumers to attach the bottom portion of the device upside down, posing a risk of injury.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tillers and cultivators and contact Black+Decker for proper instructions on correct assembly, according to the recall notice. The company reported one instance of incorrect attachment but no injuries so far. 

Black+Decker sold the affected products nationwide at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Blain’s Farm and Fleet stores, Army & Air Force exchanges and Amazon. 

Tesla recalls cars due to defective seat belt warning system

Tesla is recalling more than 125,000 vehicles, including the 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y, due to issues with the seat belt notification system. 

The recall addresses a problem where an open trace in the driver seat occupancy switch may cause a failure in the audible and visual seat belt reminders when the driver’s seat belt is not fastened. These reminders are crucial, as regulations require an audible signal to activate for at least 4 seconds and a visual signal to display for at least 60 seconds if the seat belt is unlatched when the ignition is turned on, the recall notice states.

Tesla has reported no injuries related to this issue and is not currently facing legal action. The company will implement an over-the-air software update in June to rectify the problem by making the seat belt reminder system rely solely on the driver seat belt buckle and ignition status, bypassing the driver seat occupancy switch. 

Toyota issues recall for debris in engines of Tundra, Lexus LX vehicles

Toyota issued a recall for approximately 102,000 model year 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX vehicles due to potential loss of motive power. 

The issue stems from machining debris that may not have been cleared from the engines during production, which can lead to engine issues and potential loss of power. Toyota warns losing power while driving at high speeds significantly increases the risk of a crash, the recall notice states.

The recall affects only the conventional gas models of the Lexus LX. Toyota says it is developing a remedy for the issue and plans to notify affected vehicle owners by late July 2024. 

Have you purchased any of the products listed in our top recalls recently? Let us know in the comments. And be sure to check out other top recalls.

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