As health and safety advocates, our team at Christian & Christian stays in engaged with the biggest safety consumer stories affecting our community. 2015 saw a number of different scandals break, many of which are still being resolved by manufacturers and regulators. We collected a number of these stories for our most recent newsletter and wanted to highlight a few of them here on our blog, as well.The Unprecedented Takata Airbag Recall
Undoubtedly, the biggest consumer safety hazard facing American drivers (and drivers all over the globe) continues to be the Takata airbag recall. At least 12 different automakers have used the Takata airbags, which have now shown that they can deploy with too much force, sending debris into the car and seriously injuring vehicle occupants. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an unprecedented recall of 19 million cars in the U.S. because of the airbags and car makers and parts manufacturers continue to scramble to meet increasing repair demands.
Widespread Blue Bell and Chipotle Contaminations
Several foodborne illness scandals hit headlines in 2015: Blue Bell Creameries’ Listeria outbreak and the still ongoing E. Coli outbreak that has shut down dozens of Chipotle restaurants. While Blue Bell ice cream has returned to the market, Chipotle is still grappling with its scandal, which has affected its locations in the Northeast and now Boston. The American Association for Justice estimates that 128,000 are hospitalized and at least 3,000 die each year from foodborne illnesses.
Volkswagen “Defeat Device” Scandal
This year, Volkswagen was shockingly caught outfitting its vehicles’ exhaust systems with software designed to fool regulators and consumers. It is estimated that more than 11 million of its cars contain a “defeat device” that produces the low emissions promised by the company only when vehicles are engaged in testing mode. While the company is offering recalls on the affected cars, VW is now considered the least trusted car maker on the market.
New Nursing Home Regulations Proposed
A federal watchdog group has proposed sweeping changes in patient care that will benefit the more than 1.5 million Americans living in long-term care facilities. To some advocates– and families and attorneys who must deal with instances of nursing home abuse and neglect– this kind of safety measure reform is long overdue. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services say that, if the measures are finalized, “unnecessary hospital re-admissions and infections would be reduced, quality care increased and safety measures strengthened.”
To read more about 2015’s biggest consumer safety and justice stories, review our latest newsletter.
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