Our Watchdog team researches products, alerts consumers when there is a problem, and provides tools and resources so consumers can protect themselves.
Tens of thousands of new products are introduced to the marketplace every year, and while consumers have access to more information about products than ever before, product reviews and online surveys rarely identify hidden hazards and risks that can be found in many of today’s products.
This year, our Watchdog team has discovered four product safety issues that we want to make sure consumers are aware of:
CONSUMER ALERT
Asbestos In Makeup
Our research found that makeup sold by Claire’s retail stores across the country is contaminated with asbestos. We’re calling on Claire’s to immediately recall the contaminated makeup products, and to investigate how those products became contaminated with asbestos, and we’re pushing the Food and Drug Administration to conduct regular testing on makeup to ensure our products aren’t contaminated with asbestos.
CONSUMER ALERT
Lead In Fidget Spinners
Our researchers found two fidget spinner models sold by Target that had up to 300 times the legal limit for lead in children’s products. Within days of releasing our test results, Target removed the two fidget spinners from its shelves. Now, we’re pushing for a full recall.
CONSUMER ALERT
CarMax Selling Vehicles With Dangerous Defects
More than one in four vehicles, or about 27 percent of the cars surveyed at eight CarMax dealerships, had defects subject to safety recalls. Some of those vehicles had potentially lethal defects, including recalled airbags and faulty switches. Both of these parts have been connected to fatal accidents.
Annual Toy Safety Report Highlights New Threat
Our 32nd annual toy safety report found a new privacy threat posed by a data-collecting doll. The My Friend Cayla doll, and others like it, collect personal information about kids, and upload it through an unsecured internet connection. This kind of device could put children’s privacy at risk.
