The coffee brewer company Tassimo has issued a recall of more than 5.7 million brewers and espresso pads after the Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports that consumers were burned by the hot liquid. The agency said at least 160 people have reported being burned, and that some were hospitalized. The coffee makers were sold from June 2008 through February of this year. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12106.html

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of about 2,000 rooster-themed lamps sold exclusively at Fred's Inc. due to shock and fire hazards. Manufactured by Designs Direct, the agency said the lamp's electrical cord can fray near the base and put users at risk of shock. There have not been any injuries reported in association with the recalled products. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12105.html

In 2008, the federal government passed the Rail Safety Improvement Act, requiring all railroads be equipped with Positive Train Control technology to prevent collisions, all at the expense of the railroad companies. Railroad officials, gaining the support of key Republicans, say the act is too costly and impossible to implement, demanding less expensive, albeit less effective, technological options. Supporters of the act refer to the efforts to relax the requirements as "a scary step backwards." http://www.fairwarning.org/2012/01/as-rail-tragedies-fade-from-memory-resistance-to-safety-rule-gains-steam/

Pinnacle Food Groups has issued a recall of several varieties of Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes due to the presence of an undeclared allergen. According to the company, the products may have been "cross-contaminated" with soy products. There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the products. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/giant-food-alerts-customers-to-voluntary-recall-of-aunt-jemima-frozen-pancakes-138236389.html

Johnson & Johnson has issued a voluntary recall of a single lot of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Lotion due to bacteria levels discovered during testing by the FDA. The company said the recall was precautionary in nature, and was not undertaken due to any potential adverse health effects. Other lots of the product still in stores are completely safe for consumer use, the company said. http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/50553/

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have announced a recall of about 30,000 strollers due to a fall hazard. Imported by Bumbleride Inc., the Indie strollers have a front wheel that can unexpectedly break off its axle, causing the stroller to tip. There have been 36 reports of the wheel cracking, including two reports of strollers tipping over and minor injuries occurring. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12104.html

Toy maker MEGA Brands, Inc., has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit filed by customers over roughly 10 million defective toys that were recalled by the company. The class-action suit claimed the toys, which contained special magnets, were defective. There were no injuries reported, however. The specific monetary terms of the settlement were undisclosed. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/magnet-toy-class-action-settlement-138775339.html

Four lawsuits filed against the NFL by current and former players over concussions will be consolidated, a judicial panel ruled this week. The suits, which will be tried in Philadelphia, claim the NFL "deliberately hid critical information about the dangers of concussions and hits to the head." The New York Times reports there are more than a dozen more suits filed against the NFL with similar claims that may be combined with the current suit. http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/four-n-f-l-concussion-lawsuits-consolidated/

Pfizer has issued a recall of 28 lots of two types of birth control pills due to problems with the ingredients and sequence of the medication. The recall covers Lo/Ovral-28 Tablets and Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets. The company said the daily dosage of the contraceptives could be incorrect, leaving women at risk for pregnancy, although no health-related risks are present. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillypharma/138469359.html

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of about 5,750 overarching floor lamps imported by West Elm due to a shock hazard. According to the agency, a problem in the product's wiring can lead to a short circuit and increase the risk of shock to users. The company has received 39 reports of short circuits, including a few minor injuries. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12100.html