Gerber Products Company Recalls Gem Collection Pacifier

PRODUCT: Gerber Products Company "Gem Collection Decorator Pacifier with Travel Case," item number 76407 (single pack) or 76408 (double pack). The date codes on the back of blister packages range from 060192 (June 1, 1992) to 011893 (January 18, 1993). No other Gerber pacifiers are involved in this recall.

PROBLEM: The pacifiers may separate into pieces. The pieces could present a choking hazard to young children. No injuries have been reported.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately take the pacifiers away from young children. Call Gerber Products Company at 1-800-4-GERBER to receive a free replacement pacifier.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gerber Products Company, Fremont, MI is voluntarily recalling approximately 460,300 "Gem Collection Decorator Pacifiers with Travel Case," manufactured between June 1992 and January 1993.

Gerber received five consumer reports that the pacifiers separated into pieces (nipple, shield and endcap). No injuries or chokings were reported, but the separated pieces of the pacifiers could present a choking hazard to young children.

The Gem Collection pacifiers have tan nipples, tinted plastic shields, and plastic endcaps decorated with a marching bear with a top hat and drum, a teddy bear with hearts, or a rabbit. The name "Gerber" is embossed on the shields. The travel cases are transparent, flexible plastic covers that fit directly over the nipples.

The recalled pacifiers were sold in retail stores nationwide. The single pack pacifiers sold for $2.19 to $2.99 each. The double pack pacifiers sold for $3.99 to $4.99 each.

The blister packages in which the recalled pacifiers were sold read, 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. Date codes on the back of blister packages range from 060192 (June 1, 1992) to 011893 (January 18, 1993). No other Gerber products are involved in this recall.

Gerber reports that the Gem Collection pacifiers involved in this recall have been removed from store shelves. Gem Collection pacifiers packaged after February 1, 1993 were modified and are date coded 020193 (February 1, 1993) and later.

Consumers are urged to take the recalled 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. Media inquiries to Gerber should be directed to Steve Poole at 612-928-2744.

Neither CPSC nor Gerber Products Company is aware of any injuries involving these pacifiers; this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. 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 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.