Medical Device Recalls, Contaminated Water, Concussions, and more

Presenting America’s 2016 Top Safety and Justice Stories Are you making all those lists and checking them twice? Gifts? Holiday cards? Party invitations? New Year’s resolutions? Well, here’s one more for you courtesy of the American civil justice system: safer products and services. This past year we’ve been following several stories of dangerous products or unfair practices that threaten the health, safety and legal rights of all Americans. Think exploding batteries, lead-laced drinking water, forced arbitration or faulty medical devices, for example. But thanks to the courage of citizens like you and the power of the civil justice system, we are holding accountable many of those who put profit over public wellbeing. And that’s a list we can all be proud of as these stories so richly illustrate. Read More >>> BY THE NUMBERS / 2x Recall According to a recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, medical device recalls doubled from 2003 to 2012. [Download report] 27,000 Children Nearly 27,000 children were exposed to lead poisoning from the contaminated water supply in Flint, Michigan. $1 Billion After years of denying any link between repeated concussions and brain injury, the NFL settled a lawsuit that sets aside almost $1 billion for players suffering chronic traumatic encephalopathy. BOOKMARK FAVORITES / 400,000 Heart Defibrillators Subject of Recall St. Jude Medical issued a recall for some of its 400,000 heart defibrillators after two people died when the batteries failed prematurely. View video. Inside Flint’s Lead Poisoning Disaster Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN investigate the aftermath of massive lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan, which was initially denied by government officials. View video. Five Facts – Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Recall More than 1 million Galaxy Note 7s were recalled when users reported that the popular smartphone overheated or, in some cases, even exploded. Here are five vital facts about the recall. View video.

What Concerns You the Most? Browse the 2016 top safety and justice issues, and then tell us which one keeps you up at night. You could win an iPod shuffle for participating. Add your thoughts here Forced Arbitration: The Threat Continues Forced arbitration continues to threaten the safety and legal rights of all Americans. Tia shares her story of sexual harassment and Circuit City. Listen now

Four Steps to a Food-Safe Thanksgiving – and Beyond

Four Steps to a Food-Safe Thanksgiving – and Beyond That post-Halloween sugar high is finally burning away, which means pre-holiday meal planning can begin! Gathering around the family table to share food is a treasured rite of the holiday season, but a trip to the emergency room with food poisoning shouldn’t be on the dessert menu. Don’t let a case of salmonella or E. coli poisoning ruin your festivities. Read ahead for tips, tricks and recipes to make your holiday meal celebrations healthy for everyone. Let’s get cooking.  >>> BY THE NUMBERS / 1 in 6 Poisoned Roughly one in six Americans will suffer from a foodborne illness this year.  165º Minimum The minimum internal temperature for safely serving a turkey is 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to take the temperature at three locations: the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh. 2 Hours Perishable foods can grow illness-causing bacteria within two hours when left out. Make sure to refrigerate leftovers right away. BOOKMARK FAVORITES / Recipe for Disaster Preparing raw meat on the same surface as produce? A big no-no! Make sure you separate your food. View video. Food Safety in the College Dorm Are your kids coming home for Thanksgiving dinner, or will they be stuck nuking ramen at school instead? Either way, here are tips on how to avoid foodborne illness while living in a college dorm. View video. Deep-Fried Turkey or Dangerous Fireball? If a traditional brined bird isn’t for you, maybe you’ve got a deep-fried turkey in mind. If you go that route, watch this demonstration for what NOT to do.  View video. Avoid Thanksgiving Disasters Everyone remembers a Thanksgiving disaster, from exploding turkeys to dessert-eating dogs to carving a finger along with the drumstick. Here are a few of our favorites with some timely advice on how to recover as gracefully as possible. Tell us your story too! Food Safety Talk If you’re interested in learning more about food safety, download an episode or two of this biweekly podcast from two food science professors. Listen now
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