NEWS YOU CAN USE: Don't Try the Gouda...

Who doesn't love Costco? Who doesn't love the samples at Costco? In a pinch, TVNewsMom has been known to feed the kiddos their entire lunch on samples alone. A fruit drink sample here, a paper cup of mac 'n' cheese there. Luckily we skipped the gouda!

Gouda cheese given as samples and sold at Costco stores in five different states, including California, is being recalled after an E. coli outbreak sickened 25 people. The cheese was made by Bravo Farms... located right here in the lovely Central Valley town of Traver.

Health officials believe the people got sick after eating Bravo Farms Dutch Sytle Raw Milk Gouda Cheese (item #40654) sold and offered at in-store tastings between Oct. 5 and Nov. 1.
Symptoms of E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dehydration and in severe cases, kidney failure and death!!! The cheese was sold at Costco stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

Costco is offering refunds to customers.

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Toxic Jewelry

Another cadmium jewelry recall

By JEFF DONN Associated Press Writer

About 137,000 pieces of imported children's jewelry sold at two stores popular with preteen girls — Justice and Limited Too — were recalled Tuesday for high levels of cadmium, the latest in a series of recalls involving the toxic metal.
The voluntary recall, announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, was the sixth callback since The Associated Press first released findings of an investigation into cadmium in children's jewelry.
The recalls, which started in January with children's jewelry sold at Walmart stores, have included about 12 million "Shrek" movie-themed drinking glasses distributed by McDonald's restaurants. The other recalls targeted at least 200,000 pieces of jewelry, mostly for children.
The latest recall involved 19 different styles of necklaces, bracelets and earrings imported and distributed by Tween Brands, based in New Albany, Ohio. In addition to the two sets of retail stores, the items were sold online at http://www.shopjustice.com/.
They are made in the shape of hearts, butterflies, cupcakes, peace signs and crowns. Some pieces carry a version of the words "Best Friends Forever." The CPSC said the pieces sold for $7-$16 from November 2008 through February.
Consumers are asked to take the jewelry away from children and return it to the store for a full refund. Tween Brands set up a recall hot line at 800-934-4497.