Crib Recall
We're all watching in horror as the tainted milk story unfolds --but there is another baby product from China to warn you about.
The Simplicity 'Crib N Changer Combo with drop sides is being voluntarily recalled. Health Canada says over a thousand of these units were sold at Zellers across Canada between June 2005 and September 2008.
The crib was manufactured in China --and distributed by Elfe Products out of Quebec.
The serial number on this unit is 8994WC. Also look for a GB or DH on the manufacturer's date label which is on the headboard below the mattress level.
Last week CTV told you about another Simplicity crib recall announced through the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. The issue then and now is a faulty drop side which can disconnect and leave a dangerous gap for baby.
If you have a recalled crib you're advised to stop using it and you can contact Elfe Products, the distributor for additional information,
With cribs, baby formula, milk products and last year's pet food scare and lead toy scandal, you might be wondering who is inspecting goods coming here from China.
Canada's inspection system is not set up to detect against deliberate acts of sabotage or corporate greed--and adding melamine to milk or wheat gluten to boost protein levels is just that: deliberate. It was not a mistake.
That's not comforting when China has become the second biggest exporter of food to Canada behind the United States.
Last fall, in response to the pet food scare the federal government brought in more inspectors and announced plans to change the law to allow for big fines for dangerous products.
But for the most part the Canadian Food Inspection Agency trains Chinese officials on what our standards are and relies on those rules being followed.
Ultimately with food or baby products the responsibility lies with the importer or the company whose name is on the product to make sure it meets Canadian standards.
Car Follow
Imagine if you saw the used car you just bought on a CTV investigation into undisclosed accidents. It is exactly what happened to a Richmond, B.C. woman.
"Yes it was Friday, so I was off work and I was watching CTV news Olsen on Your Side," remembered Luiza Shamkulova.
She was intrigued by the story we ran on used car dealers based on a report from CTV's W-five.
"All of a sudden they start talking about Volkswagon Golf 2004," she said.
The car ad looked familiar it said 'no accidents' and an incredibly low 25,000 kilometers.
"I looked at TV and it was exactly our car," she said.
Luiza watched as the used car she'd bought was being inspected by the Automobile Protection Association. The APA found it had been in an accident....a big one. The tip off? Suspicious welds.
"This is non-factory here," described the APA's George Iny as he went over the vehicle in the W-Five investigation.
"So this car was in a significant frontal impact. It actually goes back, I believe, to the roof even," he described.
A comprehensive search of the vehicle history on CarProof shows this car was in a major accident in 2005. The value of the amage totalled more than $21,000.
"So we were shocked. We didn't know what to do," Luiza explained.
She contacted CTV News. We put her in touch with the Vehicle Sales Authority, which can help any British Columbian if they have a problem with a vehicle purchased from a dealer.
"A vehicle with a serious accident has a much lower value, so when that all came to be discovered we largely work on what would a consumer wants, said Ken Smith of the Vehicle Sales Authority.
Sometimes consumers just want some money to offset the value difference and sometimes they want to take the vehicle back because they are concerned about what they bought," Smith said.
It took four months, but Luiza now has all her money back.
"We are so grateful. Both to CTV, to Olsen on Your Side and to the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of Vancouver," she said.
The VSA recovered just over $1 million for consumers like Luiza last year.
"Hopefully we will get another car but now we are much more experienced than we had been like seven months ago," said Luiza
The best way to deal with consumer problems is prevention. So whenever you are buying a car, get an independent mechanical inspection and a CarProof report.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.
