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DOJ Sues Chinese Firms To Force Recall Of Fire-Risk Water Heaters

The Justice Department and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sued two Chinese companies in federal court in Washington, D.C., to force a recall of fire-risk immersion water heaters.[1]

The filing was made on July 22, 2026, and names Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co., which sold the devices under the Lakkzoom brand.[1] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says it has received over 235 fire-related reports tied to the heaters.[1] The agency says more than 137 of those incidents occurred since September 2024 and alleges over 98,000 units were sold in the United States.[1]

The CPSC and DOJ say the reports described fires and overheating, prompting legal action after efforts to address the hazard did not stop the risk.[1] The lawsuit invokes the Consumer Product Safety Act and asks the court to order a mandatory recall and to halt further imports and sales of the hazardous heaters.[1]

The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and will proceed through the federal court process.[1]

  1. CBS News
Product Safety Recalls Consumer Protection and Regulation
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📌 Key Facts

  • On July 22, 2026, DOJ and CPSC filed a civil lawsuit in D.C. federal court under the Consumer Product Safety Act.
  • The suit targets immersion water heaters sold under the Lakkzoom brand by Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co.
  • CPSC has received over 235 fire-related reports tied to the heaters, including more than 137 incidents since September 2024, and alleges more than 98,000 units were sold in the U.S.

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