4 Shocking Product Recalls

In the wake of the recall of Nestle’s Hot Pockets, my Rhode Island personal injury law firm has compiled a list of four of the most shocking and widespread product recalls in recent years.

4. Peanut Butter Contamination

In 2009, the FDA recalled at least 3,913 different products following a recall of bulk peanut butter products for fear of salmonella contamination. Six deaths were blamed on the salmonella contamination, and over 470 people became ill as a result.

3. Antifreeze In Toothpaste

In 2007, federal health officials uncovered toxic Chinese-made toothpaste that contained a poison used in some antifreeze. Ten different Chinese toothpaste brands contained a small amount of diethylene glycol, a toxic, colorless liquid with a sweetish taste.  In total, three locations were at risk of toxic toothpaste poison: Miami, Los Angeles, and Puerto Rico.

2. Toyota's Malfunctioning Pedals

Toyota recalled in 2009 and 2010 more than 5.3 million vehicles in the U.S. alone for ill-fitting floor mats and 2.77 million vehicles for accelerator pedals that could stick. Toyota dealt with a large amount of public scrutiny, congressional hearings, and lawsuits – as well as being blamed for a 2010 accident that killed two people in Wendover, Utah. Toyota agreed to pay about $1.1 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit.

1. Tylenol - A Serial Killer

A list of the worst product recalls would not be complete without a mention of the 1982 Tylenol recall. Cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules caused the death of seven people around the Chicago area. Families filed lawsuits through a wrongful death lawyer and Johnson & Johnson settled in 1991 for an undisclosed sum payable to the families of the victims in the form of annuity payments.

Mike Bottaro is founder of The Bottaro Law Firm, a Rhode Island personal injury law firm.