Gerber Products Company Recalls Gem Collection Decorator Pacifier With Travel Case Due To Potential Choking Hazards

PRODUCT: Gerber Products Company "Gem Collection Decorator Pacifier With Travel Case," item number 76407 (single pack) and item number 76408 (double pack). The date codes on the back of blister packages of affected models ranged from 010692 (January 6, 1992) to 031792 (March 17, 1992). No affected models are still being sold. No other Gerber pacifiers are involved in this recall.

PROBLEM: Pieces of the pacifier separated into pieces. The pieces could present a choking hazard to young children. No injuries have been reported.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers are urged to take the pacifiers away from young children immediately and call Gerber Products Company at 1-800-4-Gerber, to receive a free replacement pacifier.

NOTE: Media inquiries to Gerber should be directed to Steve Poole at (616) 928-2744.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gerber Products Company, Fremont, MI is voluntarily recalling 321,600 "Gem Collection Decorator Pacifiers With Travel Case," packaged between January 6, 1992 and March 17, 1992. Gerber received nine consumer reports that the pacifier may seperate into three pieces (nipple, shield, or endcap). Although there were no injuries associated with the reports, the separated pieces of the pacifiers could present a potential choking hazard to infants and young children.

Gerber reports that none of the Gem Collection pacifiers involved in this recall are still being sold. Gem Collection pacifiers packaged after March 17, 1992 were modified and are date coded 031892 (March 18, 1992) and later on the back panels of packages. The modified pacifiers are the only models being sold. No other Gerber pacifiers are involved in this recall.

Consumers are urged to take the pacifiers away from young children immediately and call Gerber Products Company at its toll-free number, 1-800-4-Gerber, to receive a free replacement pacifier.

The Gem Collection pacifiers have a tan nipple, a tinted transparent plastic shield, and a decorative plastic endcap that comes with separate juvenile characters such as a marching bear with top hat and drum, a teddy bear with hearts, or a rabbit. The name "Gerber" is embossed on the shield. The travel case is a transparent, flexible plastic cover that fits directly over the pacifier's nipple.

The blister package in which the recalled pacifiers were sold reads in part: ". . . Distributed by Gerber Products Company . . . 1992 Gerber Products Company." Item number 76407 is printed on single packages and item number 76408 is printed on double packages. A six digit date code is embossed on each package and appears on the back panel on the top right side. The date code represents the day, month, and year the product was packaged. For example, 030992 means the product was packaged on March 9, 1992.

The nine consumer reports received by Gerber were limited to Gem Collection pacifiers packaged between January 6, 1992 and March 17, 1992; therefore, only date codes on back panels which ranged from 010692 to 031792 are affected. The single pack Gem Collection pacifiers, item number 76407, sold in retail stores nationwide for $2.19 to $2.29 each. The double pack Gem Collection pacifiers, item number 76408, sold in retail stores nationwide for $3.99 and $4.99 each.

This voluntary recall and replacement program is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Neither CPSC nor Gerber Products Company is aware of any injuries involving these pacifiers. The potentially hazardous pacifiers were reported to CPSC by Gerber Products Company.

CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction

EDITOR'S NOTE: Media inquiries to Gerber should be directed to Steve Poole at (616) 928-2744.