Feds sue Spectrum Brands over coffee pot

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filed a lawsuit against Spectrum Brands alleging the company and a former subsidiary, Applica Consumer Products, neglected to report a defect in the handles of a coffee pot. The handles reportedly detached without warning, creating a burn risk.

The coffee pots in question were Black & Decker brand SpaceMaker coffee pots distributed from 2008 to 2012. Approximately 1,600 consumer complaints were made over a three year-plus period before Applica notified the CPSC and recalled the product.

The government is seeking unspecified civil penalties among other non-monetary demands.