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Consumers Q's - March 29, 2007

March 29, 2007 Contact: Teresa Jenkins
(404) 656-3645
1-800-282-5852

CONSUMER Q’s
Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
Call Consumer Q’s Hotline at 1-800-282-5852

Consumer Alert/Recall: Baby Trend Recalls Back Pack Carriers Due to Fall Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Baby Trend Back Pack Carriers; Units: About 4,000; Importer: Baby Trend Inc., of Ontario, Calif.; Hazard: The stitching on the strap of the carrier can loosen or detach, causing the carrier to shift, posing a fall hazard to young children. Incidents/Injuries: Baby Trend has received one report of a child who bruised their forehead after falling out of the carrier. Baby Trend also received 17 reports of shoulder straps loosening from the body of the carrier. Description: The product is a green/silver infant back pack carrier made of heavy duty nylon with a lightweight steel frame. Only carriers with style number 2512 and 2592LX are included in the recall. Style numbers are printed on the metal frame of the product. The carrier has a 5-point safety harness, padded shoulder and hip straps, padded leg openings and heat support. The carrier also has a top canopy and large diaper bag which attaches to the frame. “Baby Trend” is printed on the back of the seat of the carrier. The backpack folds into its own diaper bag for storage and travel. Sold at: Discount department and juvenile products stores nationwide from March 2002 through November 2006 for about $50. Manufactured in: China; Remedy: Consumers should contact Baby Trend for return instructions and a free replacement carrier. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Baby Trend at (800) 328-7363 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.babytrend.com

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How long will iced tea keep in the refrigerator?

According to Joe Simray, President of the Tea Association of the USA, Inc.; Under no circumstances would we recommend keeping iced tea more than 24 hours in the refrigerator. If it was a commercial operation, we would recommend preparing it fresh each day. These recommendations are based on taste, appearance, retention of health benefits and safety. This is the official word from the organization that has been issuing Guidelines and Guidance to the Tea Industry for 107 years.

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What is the Fair Business Practices Act and who oversees it?

The principal statute OCA enforces is the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. Sections 10-1-390 et seq.), which prohibits unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the marketplace. This law applies to consumer transactions involving the sale, lease or rental of goods, services or property mainly for personal, family or household purposes. OCA will pursue a case of this nature whenever it is determined that there is a substantial public interest.

The Fair Business Practices Act also contains specific provisions relating to matters such as:

Health clubs and fitness centers
Promotional contests/giveaways
Telemarketing fraud
Fraud committed over the Internet
Price gouging during a declared state of emergency
Credit reports
Going-out-of-business sales
Vacation prize offerings
Odometer tampering

In addition, the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) administers Georgia’s Lemon Law and certain other provisions of state law designed to protect consumers from fraudulent business practices. The Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs can be reached by dialing 404/651-8600 or 1-800-869-1123.

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Do houseplants keep the air cleaner inside your home? Are there any that you would recommend?

Research now shows that houseplants play an important role in cleaning the air we breathe, both indoors and out. Plants produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis. This means they take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen. Photosynthesis "cleans" our air by absorbing carbon dioxide and by taking in certain other pollutants, as well. Under controlled conditions, in a NASA study, certain houseplants were found to remove as much as 87 percent of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours.

According to the NASA study, the plants listed below proved effective in removing certain indoor air pollutants.

Pollutant Source Plants that Remove Pollutant

Benzene

Inks, oils, paints, plastics,

rubber, dyes, detergents,

gasoline, pharmaceutical,

tobacco smoke, synthetic fibers

English ivy, Dracaena marginata, Janet Craig dracaena, Warneckei dracaena, chrysanthemum, Gerbera daisy, peace lily

Formaldehyde	Foam insulation, plywood, pressed-wood products, grocery bags, waxed paper, fire retardants, adhesive binders in floor coverings, cigarette smoke, natural gas	azalea, philodendron, spider plant, golden pothos, bamboo palm, corn plant, chrysanthemum, mother-in-law's tongue
Trichloroethylene	Primarily used in the metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries; also in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives	Gerbera daisy, chrysanthemum, peace lily, Warneckei, dracaena marginata

The NASA researchers suggest that for the test plants to be effective "air cleaners" it is necessary to use 1 potted plant per 100 square feet of home or office space. Indeed, it would appear that plants have many useful qualities, including one of making our indoor air cleaner to breath.*

*Information obtained from The Foliage For Clean Air Council and National Academy of Sciences.

The following plants are recommended as the easiest to maintain indoors: English ivy, Dracaena marginata, peace lily, spider plant, philodendron, corn plant and the mother-in law’s tongue

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If you have questions or problems with products or services regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, you may write the Office of Public Affairs, Room 224, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Atlanta 30334 or 404/656-3645 (metro Atlanta) or 1-800-282-5852 (state wide).

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