Californians, like most Americans, love their hot beverages. And if some company comes up with a new way to generate that 'just-so' brew suited to the particular tastes of the individual? Well, chances are the allure of the gadget will mean big sales and profits for the manufacturer. That's terrific, unless some defect in the product results in personal injury. Then, it's recall time. It's that time for Tassimo.

More than a million of the company's Single-Cup Brewing systems are facing recall following a string of reports of people suffering burn injuries when the plastic containers that hold coffee or tea unexpectedly burst during the brewing process, spitting out hot liquid and coffee or tea grounds.

One of the most notable cases involved a 10-year-old Minnesota girl who wound up hospitalized with second-degree burns across her face and neck. Her injuries required her to undergo skin grafting surgery. Her mother says the child now has a permanent scar on her neck.

The recall was issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and officials of Health Canada. It covers some 835,000 of the coffee makers in this country and an additional 900,000 north of the border. Also being recalled are 4 million of the so-called T-discs, the plastic containers; specifically, packets of Tassimo espresso.

The CPSC issued the order based on 140 reports of problems, 37 of which ended up causing second-degree burns. The disc recall stems from 21 reports of issues with them.

The recall applies to Bosch branded and Tassimo Professional brewing machines. They were sold through various retailers across the nation and online between June 2008 and February 2012.

Consumers are warned to stop using the machines immediately and to contact Tassimo for help.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, "Tassimo coffee makers recalled over burn risk," Jennifer C. Kerr, AP, Feb. 9, 2012; ABCNews.go.com, "Massive Recall of Tassimo Coffee Brewers After 10-Year-Old Burned, Hospitalized," Alexandra Ludka, Feb. 9, 2012