Press Releases

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Cepia LLC, the manufacturer of Zhu Zhu Pets, says that its Mr. Squiggles toy is "absolutely safe and has passed the most rigorous testing in the toy industry for consumer health and safety." This statement is in response to a report made earlier today by Good Guide that alleges Mr. Squiggles contains unsafe levels of antimony.

"We are disputing the findings of Good Guide and we are 100% confident that Mr. Squiggles, and all other Zhu Zhu Toys, are safe and compliant with all U.S. and European standards for consumer health and safety in toys," said Russ Hornsby, CEO of Cepia LLC.

"All our products are subjected to several levels of rigorous safety testing conducted by our own internal teams, as well as the world's leading independent quality assurance testing organization, and also by independent labs engaged by our retail partners," Hornsby said. "The results of every test prove that our products are in compliance with all government and industry safety standards."

Test results show Mr. Squiggles, as well as all other Zhu Zhu Pets products, are well within U.S. government standards and these results have been certified by the world's leading independent testing organizations.

Rigorous testing and inspection procedures are in place for all Zhu Zhu Pets products to assure that the toys are completely safe. Working in conjunction with representatives from governing toy industry and trade organizations, we have made certain that all Zhu Zhu Pets products are regularly and frequently tested through an independent testing service, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, the global leader in Quality Assurance.

The Zhu Zhu Pets products are tested in laboratories several times during production, and again before they ship from the factory. The testing laboratories that conduct Zhu Zhu Pets product testing are accredited by the largest national and international bodies and adhere to the strictest protocol for testing. In fact, all Zhu Zhu Pets testing exceeds the levels for products distributed in the US, by passing the EN71 test required for products distributed in Europe.

"We are contacting the Good Guide people at this moment to share with them all of our Mr. Squiggles and Zhu Zhu Pet testing data so we can get to the bottom of how their report was founded," Russ Hornsby said. "We want to assure everyone already enjoying Mr. Squiggles or other Zhu Zhu Pets, and those planning to purchase Mr. Squiggles or another Zhu Zhu Pet this holiday season, that the toy is 100 percent safe and in compliance with all U.S. and European toy safety standards. I have been in the toy industry for more than 35 years, and being a father of children myself, I would never allow any substandard or unsafe product to hit the shelves. That's why we always test to not only meet but also exceed safety standards."

For more information about safety testing or Zhu Zhu Pets products and to review the test results on Mr. Squiggles from Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, go to www.zhuzhupets.com.

SOURCE Zhu Zhu Pets

LANDOVER, Md., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a nationwide recall by Del Monte, Giant Food today removed from sale College Inn No MSG Chicken Broth due to an undeclared wheat allergen. Also, the label incorrectly states that the product does not contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).

The following code dates and UPCs are affected:

    --  College Inn® No MSG Chicken Broth, Individual 14-1/2 oz cans, all Code
        Dates, UPC 2400032230.

To date, Del Monte has received no reports of illness related to consumption of this product. All other sizes and varieties of College Inn Chicken Broth are correctly labeled and therefore are not affected by this recall. These products pose no threat to individuals who do not suffer from a wheat or MSG allergy.

Customers who have purchased the product should return any unused portions or bring their purchase receipt to any Giant for a full refund.

Customers looking for additional information are encouraged to contact the College Inn Consumer Hotline at 1-800-552-7684. Customers also can call Giant Food's Customer Service line at (800) 469-4426 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information. Customers also can visit the Giant website at www.giantfood.com.

About Giant Food

Giant Food, headquartered in Landover, MD operates 180 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia, and employs approximately 22,000 associates. Included within the 180 stores are 163 full-service pharmacies. For more on Giant, visit www.giantfood.com.

SOURCE Giant Food

QUINCY, Mass., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a nationwide recall by Del Monte, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company today removed from sale College Inn No MSG Chicken Broth due to an undeclared wheat allergen. Also, the label incorrectly states that the product does not contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).

The following code dates and UPCs are affected:

    --  College Inn® No MSG Chicken Broth, Individual 14-1/2 oz cans, all Code
        Dates, UPC 2400032230.

To date, Del Monte has received no reports of illness related to consumption of this product. All other sizes and varieties of College Inn Chicken Broth are correctly labeled and therefore are not affected by this recall. These products pose no threat to individuals who do not suffer from a wheat or MSG allergy.

Customers who have purchased the product should return any unused portions or bring their purchase receipt to any Stop & Shop Supermarket for a full refund.

Customers looking for additional information are encouraged to contact the College Inn Consumer Hotline at 1-800-552-7684. Customers also can call Stop & Shop's Customer Service line at (800) 767-7772 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information. Customers also can visit the Stop & Shop website at www.stopandshop.com

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company employs more than 59,000 associates and operates stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey. The Company is a member of the US Green Buildings Council and has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores. Stop & Shop has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores and also is a member of the EPA's Smart Way Program

SOURCE Stop & Shop

Rael congratulates Turkish government

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After 10 days in detention at an Istanbul facility, Negar Azizmoradi was released yesterday by the Turkish Government. Her release came just one day after hundreds of Raelians staged massive protests in front of Turkish Embassies and consulates around the world.

Azizmoradi's exact location in Turkey is being withheld to protect her.

"Negar is staying in a secret location under protection of the Turkish authorities to avert a possible Iranian attack on her person," said Brigitte Boisselier, spokesperson of the Raelian Movement. "She will remain in that location until she is accepted as a political refugee in a Western country. The Turkish office of the UNCHR is actively helping her so that she can receive such status quickly."

Rael, founder and leader of the International Raelian Movement, sent written congratulations to the Turkish government for expediting Azizmoradi's release and providing her with excellent protection.

"Our religion, based on tolerance, absolute non-violence and respect of all religious minorities, will forever keep in its heart the exemplary way your country treated Negar," Rael wrote. "It would be a great honor for me to officially visit your country, or to have one of my official representatives meet with you to express publicly our gratitude and our support for your government."

In a statement released this morning, Rael noted that Turkey "has shown great respect for human rights" and said the country "definitely deserves to be accepted as a member of the European community."

Toward that end, he pledged the support of Raelians worldwide.

"The Turkish government can rest assured that all Raelians will fully support Turkey's request to join the European community," Rael said. "Many countries already part of the European community, such as France, Belgium and Switzerland, show less respect for human rights than Turkey has shown, especially in terms of how their religious minorities are treated."

Raelians will be celebrating the release of their sister Negar on December 13, which is a special date for all Raelians.

"That date this year will mark the 36th anniversary of Rael's encounter with the human beings who created all life on Earth," Boisselier explained. "They were mistaken for gods by our ancestors."

SOURCE Raelian Movement

SAN MARCOS, Calif., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its on going philosophy to improve the quality of life for those with autism and other developmental disabilities, the Training, Education & Research Institute (TERI) today celebrated its 3rd Annual Cuvee delle Vite. The Italian-themed event, focused on "The Blending of Lives," and brought together parents, professionals and the community to benefit the $50 million Charles R. Cono Center Research & Life Planning. The Center, which officially broke ground on October 1, will transform the lives of special needs children and adults, and their families, by providing a comprehensive array of services and support programs covering an entire lifespan in one dynamic location.

"For nearly 10 years, we have worked to make the Center for Research & Life Planning a reality, and today's fundraiser has brought us one step closer," says Cheryl Kilmer CEO & Founder of TERI. "The Center is a new model for delivering the services we've developed over the past 30 years, and a venue to incorporate the ever-evolving programs we develop to meet the changing needs of our clients and their families. This university-like campus will be an internationally recognized resource for research, education, training and life quality - something that simply doesn't exist today."

Nestled in the hills of North San Diego County, the future home of the Center for Research & Life Planning once again played host to this year's Cuvee. Guests of the event enjoyed fresh Italian dishes donated and masterfully prepared by Vigilucci's Restaurant Group and Chef Mario Gutierrez from Bellagio Ristorante & Bakery; as well as wine tasting with Sommelier Derek Alten and pouring by award winning Leonesse Cellars.

Live music was performed by the Rey Vinole Big Band, with a special performance by award winning San Diego Master Chorale, a 125 voice choral group that is known as "The Voice of San Diego." There was also a client art exhibition and sale, with all proceeds benefiting the Center, as well as the world premiere of the "I am TERI" video, which highlights experiences of TERI clients, parents, staff and volunteers.

The 20-acre campus will include an exciting variety of state-of-the-art facilities; fitness, arts and education, childhood development, equestrian therapy, horticulture, culinary arts, extensive vocational training opportunities and aquatics. The Center will also be home to the TERI-led International Association for Life Quality, offering Special Needs Life Quality Plans(TM) and Special Needs Life Quality Coach(TM) training, applied research, and onsite and online training programs, serving children, adults and their families both regionally and internationally.

The Center is named in honor of the late Charles R. Cono, a San Diego entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed $5 million of the first $8 million raised toward the center's construction. An additional $42 million is currently being raised for the next five phases.

For more than 30 years, TERI has been committed to improving the quality of lives for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, and their families. TERI believes every individual with autism and other developmental and learning disabilities has the right to lead a valued, meaningful, and fulfilling life of uncompromised quality in their community.

For more information on TERI or how to make a donation to the Charles R. Cono Center for Research & Life Planning, please visit www.teriinc.org or call 760.721.1706.

SOURCE TERI, Inc.