Lesserevil Brand Snack Co. Issues a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Lesserevil Brand Peanut Butter and Choco Kettle Corn

Wells’ Dairy Expands Voluntary Recall of Select Blue Bunny® Products

House of Flavors Issues Voluntary Recall in Eastern United States Due to Possible Health Risk

Turkey Hill Dairy Announces Voluntary Recall of Select Ice Cream Flavors Following Expanded FDA Investigation of Peanut Corporation of America

If you’ve been following the CPSIA action, here’s some news you may be interested in hearing.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

It’s amazing, the number of items that will be affected by the CPSIA, and nobody seems to be doing anything about it. Of course, Fendi watches and other non-children items are not affected by this legislation, but those who are affected are going to be hurting once they require the testing phase of the bill.

Arico Natural Foods Company Announces US and Canadian Recall of Arico Peanut Butter Cookies and Cookie Bars Because of Possible Health Risk

Galliker Dairy Announces Voluntary Recall of Rocky Road Ice Cream and Sundae Nut Cones Because of Possible Health Risk

Rain Creek Baking Corporation Announces An Expanded Voluntary Withdrawal of Peanut Butter Turtles, Peanut Butter Baskets and Peanut Butter Princesses Due to Possible Health Risk

Orchard Valley Harvest Announces Urgent Nationwide Voluntary Recall for Peanuts Because of Possible Health Risk

Country Maid Expands Upon Previous Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Due to Possible Health Risk

Hy-Vee Inc. recalls two bakery products with peanuts distributed in seven states due to possible health risk

Meijer Announces Voluntary Recall for Some Meijer Brand Peanuts and Ice Cream Novelties Citing Possible Health Risk

Does this really surprise anyone?

The Obama administration has asked the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff to cut the Pentagon’s budget request for the fiscal year 2010 by more than 10 percent — about $55 billion — a senior U.S. defense official tells FOX News.

Defense cuts, tax frauds in the cabinet, and a pull back in troops. It makes me wonder who in the White House is wearing the babydoll nightie.

This is getting ridiculous. The next thing you know tax fraud will be a requirement to serve in President Obama’s cabinet. Oh wait, it already is. Ridiculous.

Former Sen. Tom Daschle, picked by President Barack Obama to lead his health reform efforts, recently filed amended tax returns to report $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest, according to a Senate document obtained by The Associated Press.

The White House acknowledged Friday that “some tax issues” had emerged in connection with the nomination, but a spokesman said the president is confident the former Senate Democratic leader will be confirmed as the new health secretary.

Daschle filed amended tax returns for 2005, 2006 and 2007 to reflect additional income for consulting work, the use of a car service and reduced deductions for charitable contributions. He filed the returns after Obama announced he intended to nominate Daschle to head the Health and Human Services Department.

The next thing you know, Mr. Obama will be hiring someone specializing in hydroponic farming to complete the border fence installation. Yeah, I know, it just doesn’t make any sense.

Augustus L. Palmer, 85, a former Tuskegee Airman who was a longtime administrator at Howard University, died Jan. 20 at Sibley Memorial Hospital’s hospice. He had prostate cancer.

Mr. Palmer worked for Howard from 1971 to 1991, retiring as associate vice president for health affairs.

…

He served as an Army Air Forces pilot during World War II and was in the corps of all-black military men known as the Tuskegee Airmen. In March 2007, he received a Congressional Gold Medal from President Bush for his Tuskegee service.

…

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Mercedes Hardwick Palmer of Washington; four children, Rodney L. Palmer of Washington, Mercedes Renee Palmer of Columbia, Robert L. Palmer of Silver Spring and Ann Palmer Moss of Washington Township, N.J.; two sisters, Nannette Jackson of Harrisburg, Va., and Ada Henry of Washington; and 10 grandchildren.

Rest In Peace, Augustus.

TV director and producer Kim Manners, who served as director and co-exec producer on “The X-Files,” died Jan. 25 in Los Angeles of complications from lung cancer. He was 58.

Manners joined “The X-Files” in its second season, directing more than 50 episodes. He was part of the team that received four Emmy nominations for the long-running show.

…

He is survived by his wife Marline; two daughters; father Sam, a producer; his mother, Joyce; brother Kelly, a producer and sister, Tana, an assistant director.

Rest In Peace, Kim.

DDI Inc. Recalls Toy Construction Play Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Skull-And-Crossbones Necklaces Recalled By Spencer Gifts Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Before you jump to conclusions, neither one of these items were manufactured in a peanut processing plant in the state of Georgia. They were both made in China. Of course.

British singer-songwriter John Martyn, whose soulful songs were covered by the likes of Eric Clapton, died Thursday. He was 60.

Martyn’s official Web site said the musician, who lived in Ireland, died Thursday morning. It did not give a cause of death.

A skilled guitarist and earthy vocalist influenced by folk, blues and jazz, Martyn performed with — and was admired by — musicians including Clapton, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and Phil Collins.

…

There was no immediate word on survivors or funeral plans.

Rest In Peace, John.