Product liability update November 2017

A round-up of some of the recent stories making the news, from automated vehicles to food safety and product advertisements.

London Fire Brigade calls for “decisive action” to improve recalls of white goods
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister asking for changes to be made in relation to the safety of white goods. The LFB is concerned about the number of people across the UK continuing to use faulty white goods, some of which are subject to corrective action or safety notices. 

Strict rulings by the ASA for product advertisements alleging “health benefits”
The UK Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has upheld a complaint made against Nomad Choice Pty Ltd in relation to a social media post advertising a “Flat Tummy Tea”. The complaint concerned the alleged “health claims” inferred from both the advert and the name of the product. 

Government publishes Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill
Following Transport Secretary Chris Grayling’s announcement at the beginning of this year that legislation would be introduced to extend compulsory motor insurance to cover product liability for motorists using autonomous vehicles, the Government has now published its Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill. 

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $417m in “talc litigation”
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $417m in damages after a jury in California found in favour of the claimant, who alleged that she had developed ovarian cancer after using the company’s “Baby Powder”. The case follows a string of litigation in the US, colloquially known as the “talc litigation”. 

Undercover Investigation alleges tampering with food safety records
Major supermarket chains including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Lidl have suspended their purchase of chicken from the 2 Sisters Food Group, the country’s largest supplier of supermarket chicken, after an undercover investigation by the Guardian and ITV News revealed tampering with food safety records. 

Brompton recall 144,000 folding bikes
The British bicycle manufacturer, Brompton, has issued a voluntary recall of 144,000 folding bikes due to safety concerns with the axle.

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