Feds Sue Spectrum Brands Over 'Delayed' Coffeemaker Recall

Spectrum Brands Holdings is facing a lawsuit from the U.S. government over claims that the company allegedly failed to report in a timely manner issues with handles on the company’s Black + Decker Spacemaker coffeemakers.

On Thursday, Reuters reported that the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Madison, WI. The suit claims that Spectrum and Applica Consumer Products waited until April of 2012 to report issues with the coffeemaker to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The initial recall, issued in June of 2012, included about 159,000 Spacemaker 12-cup programmable under-the-cabinet coffeemakers. The CPSC said the coffee pot’s handle can break, potentially causing cuts and burns to the user. An updated version of the recall issued in August 2013 said the CPSC has received more than 1,600 reports of handles breaking, including more than 80 reports of burns and/or cuts.

A Spectrum Brand spokesman told HomeWorldBusiness.com that the company intends to “vigorously defend” itself against the lawsuit.

“The models of coffeemakers at issue were voluntarily recalled by Spectrum Brands more than two years ago and consumers were offered refunds or replacement coffee pots,” the spokesman said.