Mid-November has brought a flurry of recall alerts across the U. S., with food products, household items and automotive manufacturers issuing urgent notices. From contamination concerns to manufacturing defects, these recalls highlight how quickly everyday items can become unexpected safety risks. As families prepare for the holiday season in the coming weeks, understanding what’s been pulled from shelves-and why-has never been more important. Here are six of the latest recalls across food, consumer goods and automobiles that made headlines this week and how to spot these risky items to stay safe. 6 food and product recalls between Nov. 17 and Nov. 23 Milk pans sold in 6 states recalled due to potential lead contamination Shata Traders Inc. is recalling milk pans sold in six states, including New Jersey, due to potential lead contamination, according to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. The recall covers 24-centimeter milk pans sold under the brand Majestic Chef Pan. The products were distributed in six states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. The Brooklyn-based company initiated the recall after testing found levels of lead harmful to human consumption. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. Consumers who bought the milk pans should immediately stop using them and return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Anyone with questions and concerns about the recall should call (718) 369-7000 and ask for Mahboob Rahman. For more information about the recall, you can read the FDA notice. Little Partners recalling more than 9K Grow N’ Stow Folding Learning Towers due to fall risk Little Partners is recalling 9, 780 Grow N’ Stow Folding Learning Towers because the platform inside the learning tower can collapse, posing a fall risk for young children, according to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The products have the “model number LP01711 and date codes, in YYYYMM format, from 202409 to 202501,” according to the CPSC. The company has received 14 reports of the folding towers collapsing, with one reported injury of a child who suffered bruises. The learning towers were sold at Walmart stores nationwide, and at online retailers, such as Walmart. com, Amazon. com, Littlepartners. com, Etsy. com, Wayfair. com, Goodbyegear. com, Buybuybaby. com and Bedbathandbeyond. com, from December 2024 through September 2025. The products retailed at around $100 each. Consumers should stop using the learning towers and keep them away from children. They should also throw away the old crossbar and contact Little Partners for a free repair kit that includes a new crossbar and instructions on how to install it. For more information on this recall, you can check the CPSC notice here. Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese recalled due to life-threatening health risk An Oregon-based cheesemaker is recalling 16 6-ounce units of its Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese due to listeria contamination, according to the FDA. Face Rock Creamery initiated the recall after testing found listeria in the processing area where the cheese was packaged. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recalled 6-ounce Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar has a UPC code of 8 512222 00547 8 and was sold between Nov. 10-13, 2025, at the creamery’s flagship store in Bandon, Ore. Those with questions about this recall should call 541-347-3223 between 9 a. m. 4 p. m. PT, Monday-Friday, or send an email to info@facerockcreamery. com. For more information about this recall, you can check out the FDA notice. Dessert company recalls Lava Buns distributed to 33 states due to life-threatening allergen A New York-based manufacturer of Asian desserts recalled 2, 243 cases of two varieties of desserts called Lava Buns due to an undeclared milk allergen, according to the FDA. The FDA said that the milk in the product came from unsalted butter, which was not listed on the label. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recalled products were shipped to Asian grocery stores between April 2, 2025, and Nov. 14, 2025, in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The following products were subject to the recall: Prime Food brand Lava Bun with Salted Egg Yolk with UPC #97903705873 24-ounce item #PD4188. This product is packaged in an orange pouch approximately 10. 25 inches wide by 11. 25 inches high. The lot code range is 25092-25318. The expiration range is July 2026-March 2027. Prime Food brand Lava Bun with Green Tea Flavor UPC #97803705883 24-ounce item #PD4198. This product is packaged in a bright lime green pouch approximately 10. 25 inches wide by 11. 25 inches high. The lot code range is 25092-25318; the expiration range is July 2026-March 2027. Consumers who bought these products should return them uneaten to their place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions may contact Prime Food Processing LLC at 718-963-2323, Monday through Friday from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. ET. For more information about this recall, check out the FDA notice. 250K Kias recalled due to fire, fuel tank melting hazards More than 250, 000 Kias have been recalled due to fire risks and issues that can cause the fuel tanks in the vehicles to melt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank,” the NHTSA notice stated. The recall covers 250, 547 units of certain 2021-2024 model year Kia K5 vehicles. The affected vehicles were “equipped with a 1. 6L Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection engine.” Owners can bring their vehicles to their dealers for inspection and if necessary, a check valve replacement at no cost. The fuel tank could also be replaced at no cost if necessary. Notifications about the recall will be sent out in January. Ford recalls 230K Broncos due to instrument panel display failures Ford is recalling 230, 000 Bronco SUVs in the U. S. because the instrument panel displays have issues that affect visuals such as warning lights or vehicle speed, according to the NHTSA. The recall affects 2025 and 2026 model year Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. No accidents or injuries have been reported to date Ford will fix the problem with a software update that will be done over-the-air or at dealers at no cost to the owner. Owners will be notified about the recall by Dec. 8, 2025.
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/business/2025/11/check-your-cabinets-garages-and-refrigerators-for-these-6-recalls.html
Tag: life-threatening
15 Must-Watch Sandra Bullock Movies: The Definitive Ranked List
Just as *The Big Bang Theory*’s Rajesh Koothrapali says, “Sandy B always brings it,” and she truly does. The well-known *Miss Congeniality* star Sandra Bullock is celebrated for her incredible acting versatility. She effortlessly jumps from one genre to another, drying your tears in a dramatic scene and making you laugh the next.
Here are Sandra Bullock’s movies that will take you on an emotional ride, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes ratings:
—
### 1. Gravity (2013)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 96%
**Director:** Alfonso Cuarón
*Gravity* is a sci-fi thriller starring Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone, a medical engineer stranded alone in space. The immersive 3D cinematography heightens the feeling of fear and total isolation portrayed throughout the film. Bullock’s performance is equally impressive, conveying clear desperation as she floats in the vast darkness of space.
—
### 2. Speed (1994)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 95%
**Director:** Jan de Bont
This action-packed movie has been praised by critics and viewers alike for its thrilling premise centered on a life-threatening situation. Bullock plays Annie Porter, a passenger trapped inside a rigged bus. Her chemistry with co-star Keanu Reeves is electric, adding depth to their characters and elevating the suspense.
—
### 3. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 81%
**Director:** Jon Turteltaub
Sandra Bullock delves into romance as Lucy Eleanor Moderatz in *While You Were Sleeping*. Her heartwarming portrayal of a woman caught between lies and love is both charming and humorous, making the film a beloved romantic comedy classic.
—
### 4. The Prince of Egypt (1998)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 79%
**Directors:** Simon Wells, Steve Hickner, and Brenda Chapman
*The Prince of Egypt* retells the biblical story of Moses, voiced by Val Kilmer. Sandra Bullock lends her voice to Miriam, Moses’ devoted eldest sister. Her warm and sincere vocal performance perfectly captures Miriam’s caring and protective nature.
—
### 5. The Lost City (2022)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 79%
**Directors:** Adam and Aaron Nee
In *The Lost City*, Bullock plays Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist who unexpectedly embarks on a wild adventure with Dash McMahon (Channing Tatum), the man who inspired the hero of her books. Bullock’s charm shines through with wit and intellect, perfectly suited for this romantic comedy.
—
### 6. Crash (2004)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 74%
**Director:** Paul Haggis
*Crash* is a controversial film addressing race, bigotry, and discrimination in Los Angeles through interwoven stories. Bullock portrays Jean Cabot, a wealthy white woman involved in a tense carjacking. Her body language and facial expressions deliver raw vulnerability and fear, hallmarks of Bullock’s acting prowess.
—
### 7. Infamous (2006)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 74%
**Director:** Douglas McGrath
*Infamous* tells the story of authors Truman Capote (Toby Jones) and Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock) as they befriend convicted murderer Perry Smith (Daniel Craig). Bullock shines in a supporting role, embodying Lee’s subtlety, grace, and quiet strength.
—
### 8. Ocean’s Eight (2018)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 68%
**Director:** Gary Ross
*Ocean’s Eight* puts the spotlight on an all-female heist crew led by Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, sister to Danny Ocean (George Clooney). Bullock’s confident and charismatic leadership makes her character unforgettable as they plot a high-stakes robbery during the Met Gala.
—
### 9. A Time to Kill (1996)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 67%
**Director:** Joel Schumacher
In *A Time to Kill*, Bullock portrays a determined law student assisting Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), a father seeking justice for his daughter. Her empathy and strong chemistry with Matthew McConaughey’s defense attorney character deepen the emotional impact of this gripping drama.
—
### 10. The Blind Side (2009)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 66%
**Director:** John Lee Hancock
Bullock’s role as Leigh Anne Tuohy in *The Blind Side* highlights her ability to portray powerful, inspiring characters. She delivers warmth and compassion as a mother who opens her home to Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless teen, illustrating the transformative power of kindness.
—
### 11. The Heat (2013)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 66%
**Director:** Paul Feig
Showing another facet of her talent, Bullock stars as FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn in *The Heat*. Her sharp comedic timing and sarcastic wit paired with Melissa McCarthy’s energy make this action-comedy a memorable and hilarious experience.
—
### 12. Bird Box (2018)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 64%
**Director:** Susanne Bier
The chilling thriller *Bird Box* owes much of its popularity to Bullock’s compelling performance as Malorie Hayes. Balancing intense fear and inner strength, she drives the suspenseful story while navigating a post-apocalyptic world blindfolded for most of the film.
—
### 13. Demolition Man (1993)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 62%
**Director:** Marco Brambilla
In this action sci-fi film, Bullock plays Lenina Huxley, a young police officer eager to prove herself. Her energetic and charming portrayal complements the roles of Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes in this high-concept futuristic thriller.
—
### 14. Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 59%
**Director:** Randa Haines
Bullock plays Elaine, a waitress who forms a bond with two retired men, Walter (Robert Duvall) and Frank (Richard Harris). Despite being a supporting character in a story centered on male friendship, Bullock brings authenticity and warmth to her role.
—
### 15. The Thing Called Love (1993)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 57%
**Director:** Peter Bogdanovich
Although not the lead, Bullock’s role as Linda Lue Liden adds to the vibrant depiction of the country music scene. Her bubbly and energetic performance as a supportive friend enriches the film’s dynamic and atmosphere.
—
### Final Thoughts
Sandra Bullock’s diverse filmography showcases her remarkable ability to move effortlessly between genres, bringing depth and authenticity to every character she portrays. Whether you’re in the mood for suspense, romance, comedy, or drama, there’s a Sandra Bullock movie for every emotional journey.
—
*Bonus Insight:*
Recently, I came across an online discussion revealing surprising behind-the-scenes personalities of some beloved celebrities. It was eye-opening to learn how different their off-screen personas are from the ones we admire on the big screen—reminding us that fame often comes with hidden complexities.
https://radicalfire.com/sandra-bullock-movies/
‘Life-Threatening Damage’: Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Cuba After Battering Jamaica
**Hurricane Melissa Strikes Eastern Cuba After Devastating Jamaica as Category 5 Storm**
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, following its brutal impact on Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane. The storm inflicted widespread damage across Jamaica, particularly near the town of New Hope, where homes and businesses were destroyed.
Evan Thompson, Principal Director at Meteorological Service Jamaica, issued a grave warning ahead of the storm’s arrival: “It will cause catastrophic damage, life-threatening damage. There is very little that can stop a Category 5 hurricane.”
Powerful winds and fallen trees have left a trail of destruction and life-threatening flooding throughout the island. Roads remain impassable as storm surges reaching up to 13 feet inundate coastal areas. The parish of St. Elizabeth is reportedly underwater, and over half a million residents are currently without power.
Four main hospitals sustained damage during the storm, with one losing power completely, forcing the evacuation of 75 patients. In response to the crisis, the Prime Minister of Jamaica declared the entire island a disaster area.
For many residents, Hurricane Melissa has upended lives and plans. Shantelle Nova shared her experience as her dream wedding venue flooded and was severely damaged. “Windows are broken, a lot of water is coming in, so we’re just basically pushing towels and stuff at the doors,” Nova said. “The level of noise is ridiculous. Trees have really bent over and flown away, and some of our roof is completely off.”
**Severe Flooding Hits Cuba**
In Cuba, severe flooding overwhelmed streets in Santiago de Cuba as the storm brought heavy rains and strong winds before making landfall. Some areas were forecast to receive up to 20 inches of rain along with significant coastal storm surge.
Approximately 500,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in anticipation of high winds and flooding as Melissa swept across the Caribbean.
**Operation Blessing Prepares to Assist Storm Victims**
CBN’s Operation Blessing (OB) is actively preparing to assist those affected by Hurricane Melissa. Teams have been packing essential supplies and readying for deployment to the impacted regions.
On CBN’s Faith Nation, Diego Traverso, Senior Director for Operation Blessing’s Global Disaster Response Team, highlighted the challenges ahead:
“We don’t know how catastrophic this is going to be, if the water is going to recede, if the airports are going to be open and when they’re going to be open. So, at this point, we are just getting ready as close as we can to the island and praying for favor so we can either ride on a private or commercial airplane.”
The OB team is assembling much-needed disaster relief supplies, including water, food, solar lamps, hygiene kits, chlorinators, and water purification units to ensure access to clean drinking water.
Traverso emphasized the critical nature of clean water: “Water is going to be critical; the different ways for them to get water is going to get polluted. Pray for the people of Jamaica. Pray for the team of Operation Blessing.”
In addition to supplies, Operation Blessing is preparing cargo shipments with pallets of food and hygiene products for families in need.
**Looking Ahead: Hurricane Melissa Moves Toward the Bahamas**
Hurricane Melissa is forecast to move into the Bahamas later Wednesday. Jamaican officials are hopeful that airports will reopen by Thursday, facilitating recovery and relief efforts.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is prepared to send aid to support those affected by the devastating storm.
—
*Stay tuned for updates on Hurricane Melissa and relief efforts as the situation develops.*
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2025/october/life-threatening-damage-hurricane-melissa-makes-landfall-in-cuba-after-battering-jamaica
Can you actually get high from licking a toad?
In 2022, the U.S. National Park Service posted a blurry photo of a toad, snapped by a night-vision wildlife camera, accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek warning:
“As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether it be a banana slug, unfamiliar mushroom, or a large toad with glowing eyes in the dead of night, please refrain from licking. Thank you.”
This message alludes to the urban legend that licking a toad can get you high. But do toads really have psychedelic properties?
### The Colorado River Toad and Its Potent Secretion
It is true that a certain toad found across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico secretes a potent psychoactive chemical on its skin. However, licking these toads is more likely to send you to the hospital than take you on a psychedelic trip.
The Colorado River toad (*Incilius alvarius*), also called the Sonoran Desert toad, has poison glands on its head that release the chemical 5-MeO-DMT.
“I think it’s one of the most potent psychedelics that there is,” said David E. Nichols, a professor emeritus of pharmacology at Purdue University and the first to create a synthetic analogue of 5-MeO-DMT.
5-MeO-DMT is a chemical that exerts its effects by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain. The drug lasts for about 15 to 30 minutes and can cause euphoria, a sense of nothingness, near-death-like experiences, and amnesia.
According to Nichols, the drug can even cause complete dissolution of a person’s sense of self, to the point where a user no longer remembers that they even used a drug.
### Why Licking Toads Won’t Get You High
However, 5-MeO-DMT doesn’t have any psychedelic effects when ingested orally. This means licking the chemical off of a toad wouldn’t get you high. It requires more complicated methods such as smoking.
What’s more, it can be very dangerous to lick these toads, experts warn.
“Licking a toad is a no-go,” Haley Dourron, a postdoctoral researcher at Linköping University in Sweden, told Live Science in an email. “Even pets that have licked the toad have ended up needing emergency medical care.”
That’s because Colorado River toads also secrete chemicals called cardiac glycosides. These compounds increase the strength of heart muscle contractions, and their effects on heart function can quickly become dangerous, leading to potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
### Threats to Colorado River Toads
Yet the potential health risks haven’t stopped poachers from gathering Colorado River toads in an attempt to chemically process the 5-MeO-DMT on their skin for recreational use.
“Toads are being systematically removed by poachers to extract their secretions to be trafficked,” Robert Villa, a community outreach assistant at the University of Arizona, told Live Science in an email.
Colorado River toads are already being affected by changing rain patterns, habitat loss, fungal diseases, and pollution, Villa said, and poachers only add to the threat of their conservation.
### The Potential of 5-MeO-DMT
While obtaining 5-MeO-DMT from wild toads is unsafe and illegal, researchers are interested in the potential of synthetic 5-MeO-DMT, which is related to the psychedelic drug DMT.
Compared with more traditional psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin, relatively little is known about 5-MeO-DMT and how it affects the brain.
“At this point, over 100 people have had their brains scanned during trips on typical psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin,” Dourron explained. “There are no published brain scanning studies of how 5-MeO-DMT works.”
Trip reports of 5-MeO-DMT are often quite distinct from subjective experiences with typical psychedelics. Rather than experiencing classic hallucinations such as fractal patterns, some 5-MeO-DMT users describe experiencing a total “white-out.” They might feel as if they’ve entered a “void” or experienced a sense of nothingness, Dourron explained.
The strange effects of the drug have led Dourron to investigate whether the effects of 5-MeO-DMT stem from similar brain pathways to those impaired in certain types of seizures.
Other researchers are exploring the potential of 5-MeO-DMT as an antidepressant. Early data show that the drug improves depressive symptoms within a day, with improvements lasting at least a week after treatment.
Compared with other psychedelic drugs being explored for their antidepressant properties, such as psilocybin, 5-MeO-DMT’s duration is much shorter, meaning treatment sessions could be completed more quickly.
“5-MeO-DMT is a very interesting substance, but ultimately, I think it likely plays by a different set of rules than other, more studied psychedelic substances,” Dourron said. “Only science will tell us just what this playbook is.”
https://www.livescience.com/animals/toads/can-you-actually-get-high-from-licking-a-toad