July 9, 2026

554,780 Kobalt yard tools sold at Lowe's recalled over battery fire hazard

A half-million Kobalt yard tools can catch fire while charging, heated insoles have caused skin-graft burns, Toyota recalls 5,400 Grand Highlanders, and the deadly Clover Hill cheese listeria outbreak hits its July 10 expiration.

If you bought a Kobalt trimmer, blower, or mower at Lowe's this spring, check it before you charge it again. The lead recall today is a 554,780-unit Kobalt yard-tool campaign that CPSC posted this morning, and it covers the kind of gear sitting in a lot of garages right now.

Kobalt 24V/48V yard tools recalled over USB-C battery fire hazard

What: Greenworks Tools is recalling about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools that use Kobalt batteries with a USB-C charging port, including string trimmers, blowers, push and self-propelled mowers, chainsaws, and pruning saws. Only products with the USB-C batteries are included; the batteries come in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah, and 8.0Ah capacities. They were sold at Lowe's stores nationwide and on Lowes.com from January through May 2026 for between $20 and $482. CPSC recall number 26-611, dated July 9, 2026. (CPSC recall notice)

Why: Per CPSC, "charging the lithium-ion batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the yard power tools can cause the batteries to short-circuit, posing a risk of serious injury from fire hazard." The firm has received 34 reports of the batteries producing smoke, sparking, or catching fire while inserted in the tool and charging through the USB-C port. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

What to do: Stop charging the batteries through the USB-C port while they are inserted in the tool. Contact Greenworks for free replacement batteries without the USB-C port, plus a charger adapter, a warning label to affix to the tool, an updated manual, and a prepaid return shipping label for the old batteries. Register at the Greenworks Kobalt recall page, or see Greenworks' recall information page. Call 888-266-7096 or email recalls@greenworkstools.com.

Ongoing listeria outbreak tied to Clover Hill cheese has killed one, sickened 12

This one did not drop today, and I won't pretend it did. But it is still active, it has killed someone, and the recalled cheese carries a July 10 expiration, so it may still be sitting in a refrigerator. Worth a check now.

What: CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate Listeria outbreak tied to requeson, a soft ricotta-style cheese, made by Clover Hill Dairy of Mechanicsville, Maryland. Clover Hill expanded its recall to all of its cheese on June 18. Distributor La Ceiba Foods Latin Market then recalled its Requeson Salvadoreno and Requeson Mexicano sold under the La Colonia and Selectos Latinos brands (expiration date July 10), and Nelson & Isa Lacteos recalled 1-pound clamshell requeson sold at New York retailers from May 15 to 28. The cheese was distributed in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., and CDC warns it may have been repackaged under other names, including Kesso, Quesos la Ricura, Izalco, De mi Pueblo, and Rio Lindo. Look for plant permit number 24-128. (CDC outbreak page, CDC investigation update)

Why: As of June 24, 2026, the outbreak tally is 12 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and 1 death reported from Maryland. Cases span Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Virginia, with samples collected from March 6, 2023 to June 2, 2026, making this a multi-year outbreak. CDC says "Listeria was detected in six product samples of requeson cheese and in one environmental sample," and whole-genome sequencing matched the cheese strain to the strain making people sick. Maryland has suspended Clover Hill Dairy's operating license. The investigation is open.

What to do: Do not eat, sell, or serve any recalled cheese, and do not assume a different label means it is safe. Throw it out or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Because Listeria survives refrigeration, clean your refrigerator and any containers or surfaces that touched the cheese. For Clover Hill questions, contact the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission at 240-528-8850 extension 327. (Food Safety News)

Toyota recalls 5,400 2026 Grand Highlanders and Lexus TX SUVs over rear axle

What: Toyota is recalling about 5,400 model-year 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander and Lexus TX vehicles because the rear axle carriers may not have been manufactured properly. Toyota announced the campaign on July 8, 2026. (Toyota press release, CarComplaints)

Why: A carrier can break at certain attachment points, which can affect rear vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash in some operating conditions. NHTSA has not yet posted campaign details.

What to do: Owners will be notified by early September 2026. Dealers will inspect the rear axle carrier sub-assemblies for specific codes and replace any affected sub-assemblies at no charge. To check now, enter your VIN or license plate at Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls. Call the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331.

CPSC warns to stop using METASONO heated insoles after 10 burn injuries, some needing skin grafts

What: CPSC issued a stop-use warning (not a full recall) on METASONO/MEATSONO heated insoles, about 1,173 units sold on Amazon.com and eBay.com from July 2023 through July 2026 for $28 to $70. The insoles are navy blue with a multicolored design, contain a lithium-ion battery in the heel, run by remote control, and have "METASONO" printed on both sides. Warning number 26-613, dated July 9, 2026. (CPSC warning)

Why: Per CPSC, "the internal lithium-ion battery can explode and ignite, even when the insoles are turned off, posing a risk of serious burn injury and fire hazard." The agency is aware of 14 reports of fires, explosions, and other thermal incidents, resulting in at least 10 reported burn injuries, which CPSC says include "serious second- and third-degree burns requiring skin grafts." The Chinese manufacturer has been unresponsive to CPSC's recall requests, which is why this is a warning rather than a refundable recall.

What to do: Stop using the insoles immediately and dispose of them, but not in the trash, curbside recycling, or retail battery drop boxes. Defective lithium-ion batteries need special handling, so take them to a household hazardous waste collection center (call ahead to confirm it accepts defective li-ion), or contact your municipality for guidance. Report any incidents to SaferProducts.gov.

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