Micro-Dome Food Preserver Recalled

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Micro-Dome of San Ramon, CA, today warned consumers of certain safety hazards associated with the use of the "Micro-Dome Food Preserver" manufactured by Micro-Dome and sold and distributed to consumers after August 1987.

The CPSC urges consumers to destroy all food that has been preserved using a Micro-Dome Food Preserver, and to call 1-800-736-2330 for instructions on how to receive a $50 rebate for returning the food preserver.

The Micro-Dome Food Preserver is used in microwave ovens to preserve fruits, vegetables and prepared dishes. The appliance is a plastic container than can process one standard metal lidded canning jar at a time. Generally priced at $50, approximately 18,600 units were sold to customers.

Micro-Dome informed the Commission that the top of the plastic container may blow off in the microwave if the vent stem or safety release becomes plugged. The pressurized plastic container may also explode during or after removal from the microwave, or if the container is hit or dropped. Furthermore, the plastic container may also crack and/or develop lines (called crazing) that could increase the risk of explosion. Explosion of a pressurized Micro-Dome containing hot water and food could cause severe injuries such as blindness and burns from flying fragments and liquids.

Micro-Dome reported 29 incidents involving the cracking and/or crazing of the plastic container, eight incidents of the top blowing off, and four incidents of the vent being plugged without the blow plug releasing. One injury was reported involving a user who sustained minor burns when the top of the container blew off. The CPSC recommends that consumers not use the Micro-Dome Food Preserver. It should be returned to Micro- Dome for the rebate or destroyed and disposed of in such a manner that it cannot be used in the future.

CPSC is also concerned about possible food poisoning in certain foods prepared using the Micro-Dome Microwave Food Preserver. While CPSC is unaware of any incidents of food poisoning, it is concerned that the product and its accompanying recipe and instruction booklet do not adequately ensure the safety of certain canned foods. In addition to possibly failing to kill bacteria while the food in the Micro-Dome is cooked in a microwave oven, food also can be contaminated after cooking. Eating improperly preserved food can cause serious illness such as botulism. The toxin which causes botulism is the most potent natural poison in the world. Even one taste could be fatal.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that the Micro-Dome needs more extensive testing. There are some problems. According to University of California researchers the Micro-Dome canning process was not successful. Bacteria survived. Micro- Dome denies there is a food poisoning problem.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this warning as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

The CPSC urges consumers to destroy all food that has been preserved using a Micro-Dome Food Preserver, and to call 1-800-736-2330 for instructions on how to receive a $50 rebate for returning the food preserver.

Micro-Dome reported 29 incidents involving the cracking and/or crazing of the plastic container, eight incidents of the top blowing off, and four incidents of the vent being plugged without the blow plug releasing. One injury was reported involving a user who sustained minor burns when the top of the container blew off.