Beauty

L'Oreal Paris, a division of L'Oreal USA, has initiated a voluntary recall from retail stores in the United States for the L'Oreal Paris Dream Blonde (Baby's Breath Blonde #100 Ultra Lightening) Bleach and Lightening care kit. The product was sold in retail outlets in the United States from January 1 through January 18, 2008.

L'Oreal is voluntarily taking this action due to an error in the printing of the directions for the use of the Dream Blonde Bleach and Lightening care kit. All retailers have been notified and have removed the product from their shelves. Affected consumers, estimated at a few hundred, will receive a full refund for returned product.

L'Oreal took immediate action following one customer complaint of the product causing irritation. The Dream Blonde Bleach and Lightening Care formula itself is safe. However, if used according to the current misprinted directions, complications such as irritation or sensitivity could result so consumers should not use the product and should instead return it to their retailer for a refund. As with any product, if a consumer feels they are having any type of reaction or irritation, they should consultant their physician. This recall affects only the Dream Blonde Bleach and Lightening care kit in the Dream Blonde range of products.

Any consumers looking for more information should call 888-241-9504. (1-31-08)

McNEIL-PPC, Inc. has announced a voluntary nationwide consumer recall of all lots of the GLACIER MINT™ and BUBBLE BLAST™ flavors of LISTERINE AGENT COOL BLUE Plaque-Detecting Rinse after the company determined that the preservative system is not adequate against certain microorganisms. The company has been in full communication with the FDA regarding this issue and the decision to implement a voluntary recall. The company is recalling all bottles of AGENT COOL BLUE Plaque-Detecting Rinse, an estimated four million, from both retailers and consumers.

The company conducted a thorough assessment and concluded that the risk of illness in healthy individuals following use of this product is very low. However, there could be a significant health risk to individuals with weakened or suppressed immune systems. To date, there have been no consumer adverse health events reported that are related to this issue.

The recall affects all existing bottles of AGENT COOL BLUE Plaque-Detecting Rinse. Consumers should discontinue using and properly discard the product, and may obtain a full refund through calling the company's toll-free consumer line 1-888-222-0249 and mailing in the back label, including the UPC code. Additional information can be found at the product Web site, www.agentcoolblue.com. (4-24-07)

Name of Product: Suave Kids Bath Set

Units: About 11,000

Manufacturer: Almar Sales Co., of New York, NY

Hazard: Items in the baths sets contain small parts that pose a choking hazard to young children. Additionally, some of the handles on the carrying case are long enough to pose a strangulation hazard. Also, the plastic carrying case poses a danger of suffocation.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries or incidents have been reported.

Description: This recall involves "Suave" brand bath sets that contain a 3-in-1 shampoo, bath sponge and various other toy animal and character bath products. The baths sets are packaged in brightly colored vinyl bags with a clear window. Style numbers involved in this recall are SVK 9498, 9499, 9501, 9506, 9507 and 9508. The style numbers are located on the back and/or bottom right corner of the package, above the UPC code.

Sold at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from March 2006 through June 2006 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these bath sets and either dispose of them or return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Almar Sales at (800) 251-2522 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or e-mail the firm at recall@almarsales.com. (10-10-06)

Name of Product: "Monica" and "Turbo 1200" Hand-Held Hair Dryers

Units: About 19,300

Manufacturer/Importer: Style Tronics Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: These electric hair dryers are not equipped with an immersion protection plug to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water. Such electric shock protection devices are required by industry standards for all electric hand-held hair dryers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves two models of pistol-type hair dryers: The Monica hair dryer has its model name and number, SW-117, written on the handle. It is made of black plastic and chrome, and the handle folds up. The Turbo 1200 model has model number DS-507 written on the back of the handle. The model name is written on the blower nozzle. They are green and white and green.

Sold at: Independent discount stores nationwide from April 2004 through June 2005 for between $3 and $5.

Manufactured In: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these hair dryers, and contact Style Tronics Inc. for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Style Tronics Inc. toll-free at (888) 266-9272 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. (7-19-06)

Name of Product: Simply Basic Lighted Mirror

Units: About 110,000

Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: Exposed wires inside the mirror could pose an electrical shock hazard to the user when they touch the mirror.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description and Models: The recalled mirror is double-sided, lighted and has three touch control settings. It has a metal stand with a brushed silver-colored finish. The mirror is 6.5 inches in diameter and has a regular side and a magnified side. Model number DK-00118/H-1698-0 is on the bottom of the mirror's base. "Touch lighting with 3 settings" is printed on a white sticker on the top of the mirror's base.

Sold Exclusively at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from August 2005 through April 2006 for about $15.

Manufactured In: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mirror and return it to Wal-Mart for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.walmartstores.com. (5-31-06)

Name of Product: Hoist Exercise Benches

Units: About 48,000

Manufacturer: Hoist Fitness Systems Inc., also does business as Body Gear, of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The bench's front frame assembly (with the foot rest) can fail to lock into place allowing users who grab the bench to position themselves to get their fingers entrapped between the front and back frame assemblies. This poses laceration and amputation hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: Hoist has received two reports of injury, one consisting of a hand laceration and the other consisting of a partially amputated finger.

Description: The recalled exercise benches are free-standing and typically used for free weight workouts. They have white, gray or black steel bases, with a black vinyl bench seat and backrest. The Hoist "5 Position Fold-Up Bench," "Folding Flat Bench" and "Folding Ab-Crunch Bench" are included in this recall. Although the bench names and model numbers do not appear on the benches, the serial number is located on a white sticker behind the seat of the bench. Only benches with certain serial numbers are included in this recall.

Name of Product / Model Number
Hoist "5 Position Fold-Up Bench" / HF-140, HF-142
BodyGear by Hoist "5 Position Fold-Up Bench" / BG-141, BG-143
Hoist "Folding Flat Bench" / HF-4163
Hoist "Folding Ab-Crunch Bench" / HF-4262

Sold at: Specialty dealer stores and large sporting goods retailers nationwide from February 2004 through January 2006 for between $100 and $300.

Manufactured In: China

Remedy: Consumers should contact Hoist Fitness to see if their bench's serial number is included in this recall. If it is, stop using the recalled exercise bench and arrange to receive a free repair kit. Consumers who own the Hoist "Folding Flat Bench" should contact Hoist to return the bench for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hoist toll-free at (866) 849-4797 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.hoistfitness.com or www.bodygearfitness.com – consumers can also e-mail the firm at benchrecall@hoistfitness.com or benchrecall@bodygearfitness.com. (5-02-06)

Name of Product: Eusonic Hair Dryers

Units: About 4,000 (14,000 hair dryers were sold in Mexico)

Importer: Saroj International Inc., of Vernon, Calif.

Hazard: The electric hair dryer's power cord does not have an immersion protection plug. Therefore, if the hair dryer falls into water during use, it can pose a shock and/or electrocution hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The hair dryers recalled are the Eusonic models numbers 9318, 9329 and 2218. The model numbers are imprinted on the opposite side of the handle from where the slide switch is situated. The hair dryers are red, have a black slide switch and the word "Eusonic" is imprinted in black on the blower part of the hair dryer.

Manufactured In: China

Sold at: Various retail stores nationwide from May 2003 through December 2004 for about $10.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these hair dryers immediately and return it to the store where it was purchased to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Contact Saroj International Inc., toll free at (877) 277-1055 between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or by e-mail at ,a href="mailto:sales@sarojusa.com">sales@sarojusa.com . (4-25-06)

Name of Product: Walgreens High Potency Iron Supplement

Units: About 64,000

Manufacturer: Inverness Medical Nutritionals Group of Freehold, N.J.

Hazard: The iron supplements are not in child-resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Ingesting multiple iron supplements at once can cause serious injury or death to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries or incidents have been reported.

Description: The recalled supplements were sold in a brown plastic bottle. "Walgreens Finest High Potency Iron Supplement" is printed on the yellow and green label on the bottle.

Sold at: Walgreens retail stores nationwide from April 2005 through October 2005 for about $5.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should keep this product out of reach of children and return it to Walgreens for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information or for a free replacement cap, contact Inverness at 1-(888) 698-5032 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers also may visit www.walgreens.com. (3-21-06)

Name of Product: Dove™ SkinVitalizer – Facial Cleansing Massager

Units: About 438,000 units (about 50,000 of which have been purchased by consumers)

Distributor: Unilever of Trumbull, Conn.

Hazard: The cleansing pillows on this device can loosen or dislodge during use and then the SkinVitalizer can cause minor scratches to the skin.

Incidents/Injuries: Unilever has received 33 reports of cleansing pillows from the SkinVitalizer falling off of the device. Unilever has received nine reports of consumers who have experienced minor scratches while using the product. No serious injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves a white hand-held Facial Cleansing Massager wand that is intended for use with Dove Cleansing Pillows. When turned on, the unit vibrates. This notice applies to all units and all codes of the SkinVitalizer. No other Dove products or Dove Facial Cleansing pillows are involved in this recall.

Sold at: Discount department, drug and grocery stores nationwide during February 2006 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Unilever for information on receiving a full refund. Unilever will provide all shipping charges for returned SkinVitalizer units.

Consumer Contact: Contact Unilever at (800) 896-9479 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site www.dove.com. (3-07-06)

Name of Product: Pilates Balls

Units: About 34,600

Distributors: LTD Commodities, of Bannockburn, Ill., and its subsidiary, The Lakeside Collection, of Lincolnshire, Ill.

Hazard: The plastic black clips at the end of the rubber tubing can come apart when in use. In addition, the grommet used to hold the black rubber tubing could separate from the nylon webbing. Consumers using the Pilates balls could fall and be hit by pieces that separate.

Incidents/Injuries: The firms have received four reports of minor bodily injuries.

Description: The inflatable Pilates balls are blue with black handles. They are about 26 inches in diameter when inflated. They are sold with a blue air pump.

Sold by: Catalogs nationwide from August 2005 through September 1, 2005, for about $9.

Manufactured In: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these Pilates balls and contact the firm to obtain instructions on how to receive free replacement handles. All consumers who purchased these Pilates balls were notified directly about the recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact either LTD Commodities toll-free at (866) 736-3654 or The Lakeside Collection toll-free at (866) 847-4327 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, or visit their Web sites at www.ltdcommodities.com or www.lakeside.com. (1-15-06)