Advancement in technology has led to the advancement of kitchen tools as well. Gone are the days when people suffer cuts and injuries from using manual blenders that they have to assemble. Now, with just the push of a button, we can turn fruits and vegetables into smoothies. Blenders might seem safe today but their history is riddled with horrifying incidents, accidents and events that have led to major reengineering and innovations. Here are the three most recent blender blunders from the past half decade to remind us all just how powerful and dangerous a blender really is.
December 2, 2009 (Washington D.C.)
The Consumer Product Safety US Commission, in charge of protecting the public against injury or death brought about by faulty consumer products, collaborated with Ka Po International Co. to recall about 53,800 units of their 500-watt, stainless steel and black plastic blender with model no. HB500BSS. The product was imported by Haier America Trading, L.L.C., of New York and was sold nationwide from November 2006-October 2009 for under $30.00. The product has since been recalled due to sixty reports of blade assemblies coming apart or breaking, even causing a minor injury to one buyer. The blades easily coming apart poses laceration risks. Quite naturally, selling, reselling or even just an attempt to earn money from this product is considered illegal. The situation is so serious that those caught, might suffer financial charges and even imprisonment. Thankfully, consumers who returned the product received a free replacement assembly from the firm.
May 25, 2012
Kitchen Selective’s six speed blender model BL-15 (model number can be located at the base) with six-inch white base and 5-speed selection buttons that were sold to customers in Pamida and Sutherlands between June 2009 and April 2012 have been recalled by the manufacturers. The blender has volume measurement markings, white color plastic lid with removable transparent plastic stopper as well as plastic blade assembly having two angle, stainless steel. Apparently, the plastic pitcher of the blender has a tendency to separate, thus exposing the revolving blades.
Exposure to the blade poses laceration hazard. Although there were no reported incidents involving the product, Selective Brands Inc. of Lenexa, Kan., the manufacturer of the product, had decided to take mitigating measures and avoid potential lawsuits or incidents. When the recall was announced, consumers who purchased the product were warned immediately of its risk and were requested to discontinue using the device. Consumers were also instructed to return the item to the seller in return for a full refund.
Suggested Blenders:
October 31, 2013
The Consumer Product US Safety Commission had once again recalled around 22,000 units of Calphalon XL 9-speed blenders (model numbers ME600BL and 1832449). The product was widely sold from 2012 through 2013 at Macy’s, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, JCPenney, and many major retail giants across the nation as well as online at Amazon, Calphalon, Cooking and Zappos, among others. There are even 400 units that were sold in Canada that are also being recalled. The recall was made a few months after Calphalon received four reports stating that the blades shatter for no apparent reason. Thankfully, no injuries were reported so far. The product has also been tagged as ‘Don’t Buy: Safety Problem’ by Consumer Reports. The defect of the product might produce laceration risks to the consumers. After the recall announcement, consumers who purchased the product were given advice to discontinue the use of the product as well as to contact Calphalon for their free repair kit.
Blender manufacturers in an attempt to reduce cost and increase profits can and usually always do cut corners with testing, hazard safety and more. Thankfully, incidents as dangerous as the December 2009 injury are rare and will remain so with timely interventions from concerned authorities and independent agencies.
Lesson to take home – It is always best to purchase blender brands and models that have been around for at least a year since they are proven to be safe and usually lack consumer complaints with respect to safety.
