Here’s a look at some of this week’s product recall and safety announcements.
iPhone cases recalled due to skin irritations, burn risk
MixBin Electronics is recalling its liquid glitter iPhone cases for iPhone models 6, 6s, and 7. The cases were sold at a variety of retailers, including Amazon and Victoria’s Secret.
More than a dozen consumers have reported chemical burns and/or skin irritation as a result of the cases leaking.
The company is refunding the purchase price. For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission or contact the company at 1-855-215-4935.
NC company recalls ground beef for possible contamination
A North Carolina company is recalling nearly 5,000 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with plastic foam.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a news release Tuesday that JBS USA Inc. of Lenoir reports the ground beef was produced on July 15.
JBS USA said the 2-pound, black trays wrapped in plastic were labeled “Certified Angus beef ground chuck 80% lean 20% fat” with a production date 7/15/17 and case code 541640.
The department said the products bear the number “EST. 34176” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The problem was discovered July 29, when the company was alerted to shredded pieces of plastic foam in the meat. So far, no adverse reactions or injuries have been reported.
Ford Explorer fumes have police departments worried
A growing number of police departments across the country are taking action over concerns that carbon monoxide fumes from Ford Explorer patrol vehicles are seeping inside the SUVs, potentially sickening officers.
Vermont State Police and several other departments in the Northeast are inspecting their fleets or have installed carbon monoxide monitors in the vehicles. At least two departments in Texas have gone further, pulling their entire fleets Ford Explorers off the road.
The actions come as police in Massachusetts confirmed that an officer who passed out behind the wheel of his cruiser and crashed had tested positive for exposure to carbon monoxide.
Ford Motor Co. has responded by promising to repair the vehicles as it continues to investigate the cause of the problem.
Apple kills iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle as music moves to phones
The iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle have played their final notes for Apple.
The company discontinued sales of the two music players Thursday in a move reflecting the waning popularity of the devices in an era when most people store or stream their tunes on smartphones.
The iPod product line still remains alive. Apple plans to continue selling its internet-connected iPod Touch.
Apple’s iPhone, released a decade ago, played an instrumental role in the demise of the digital music players that the company popularized with the 2001 debut of the iPod.
Apple has long predicted iPods would gradually fade away as more people bought iPhones or other smartphones capable of playing music.