Continental Gourmet Corp. And CPSC Reach Agreement To Replace Parts On Some Pronto Caffe EM-L Espresso Cappuccino Appliances

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Continental Gourmet Corp. of Edison, New Jersey, has agreed to replace parts on its Pronto Caffe EM-l Espresso/Cappuccino SBevearge Makers which were manufactured through May 1980. Approximately 22,000 units may be involved. According to CPSC, the coffee basket in particular units b of this appliance may be difficult to secure.

The unit has a water reservoir below which the coffee basket is attached. The brewed coffee drips into a glass carafe positioned directly beneath the basket. If the coffee basket is not properly secured to the unit, the normal buildup of steam pressure could potentially cause the basket to dislodge and strike the glass carafe, resulting in flying glass and hot liquid. Eleven incidents of apparent basket detachment have been reported to the CPSC, four of which noted the occurrence of minor injuries consisting of cuts and burns. Additional incidents have been reported directly to the Company, two of which allegedly resulted in minor injuries.

These beverage makers can be identified by the following date codes located on the bottom of each unit, the first number in each column indicating the month and second number indicating the year:

Continental Gourmet Corp. is offering consumers a replacement of the original coffee basket with a "universal" basket that has been modified for easier and more secure attachment to the unit and an unbreakable plastic carafe for the original glass carafe.

Consumers who own an EM-l model with date codes specified above should refrain from using their appliance and, should contact the Continental Gourmet Corp. on its toll-free numbers as follows to obtain replacement parts:

or write to: