FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2004
Release # 04-174
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Firms' Hotline: (800) 441-4234
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Eric Criss (301) 504-7908
Firms' Media Contact: (800) 997-9440
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CPSC Announces Recall of Metal Toy Jewelry Sold in Vending Machines
Firms agree to stop importation until hazard is eliminated
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), four toy jewelry importers today announced the
voluntary recall of 150 million pieces of toy jewelry sold in vending
machines across America. CPSC has determined that some of this toy
jewelry contains dangerous levels of lead, posing a risk of lead
poisoning to children. Only about half of the 150 million pieces of toy
jewelry actually contains lead, but, because it is difficult to
distinguish the lead jewelry from the non-lead jewelry, the industry
decided to recall all of it. The four firms are A & A Global Industries,
Inc., of Cockeysville, Md.; Brand Imports, LLC, of Scottsdale, Ariz.;
Cardinal Distributing Co. Inc., of Baltimore, Md.; and L. M. Becker &
Co., Inc., of Kimberly, Wis.
CPSC has received one report of lead poisoning when a child
swallowed a piece of toy jewelry containing lead that was previously
recalled. No reports of injury or illness have been received for the
recalled products announced today. Young children sometimes mouth or
swallow items like these, and lead can leach from the jewelry into the
child’s body. Lead poisoning in children is associated with behavioral
problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth
retardation.
The four firms have advised the Commission that they have stopped
importing toy jewelry with lead and are committed to working with the
CPSC staff on eliminating hazardous levels of lead in future
importations of toy jewelry.
“With millions of pieces of jewelry involved in this recall, I
urge parents to search their children’s toys for this jewelry,” said
CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “Throw away this recalled toy jewelry.”
CPSC has issued guidance urging firms to eliminate lead in
consumer products, or, if lead is used, to assure it is not accessible.
CPSC collected and analyzed some samples of toy metal jewelry sold in
vending machines and found that 10 of those products had lead that could
be accessible to children. The industry volunteered, out of an
abundance of caution, to recall additional products.
This toy jewelry recall involves various styles of rings,
necklaces and bracelets. The rings are gold- or silver-colored with
different designs and paint finishes with various shaped center stones.
The necklaces have black cord or rope or gold- or silver-colored chains.
The necklaces have pendants, crosses or various geometrical designs or
shapes, and can include gemstones. The various styles of bracelets
include charm bracelets, bracelets with medallion links, and bracelets
with faux stones. All the jewelry was manufactured in India.
The toy jewelry was sold in vending machines located in malls,
discount, department and grocery stores nationwide from January 2002
through June 2004 for between $0.25 and $0.75. The industry estimates
that this toy jewelry is kept in homes for a short period of time, but
parents should look for these items in their homes.
Consumers should throw away recalled jewelry. Consumers can
contact the Toy Jewelry Recall Hotline for more information about this
recall. Visit the Toy Jewelry Recall Hotline at (800) 441-4234 between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firms’ Web site
at www.toyjewelryrecall.com
Additional photos are available at www.toyjewelryrecall.com
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