Lead Paint Hazard: Midwest Importers Recalls Children's Necklaces And Bracelets

DECEMBER 13, 1993 Release # 94-017 PRODUCT: Children's necklaces and bracelets imported and distributed by Midwest Importers of Cannon Falls, Inc. The products are made of wooden blue, pink, purple and yellow colored beads with white wooden rabbits and orange wooden carrots strung on elastic strings. Approximately 26,000 necklaces and 39,000 bracelets were sold at retail stores nationwide from December 1992 through October 1993. PROBLEM: The paint on the beads contain levels of lead that exceed government standards, presenting a safety hazard to children. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately take the necklaces and bracelets away from children and return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers may call Midwest Importers at 1-507-263-4261. WASHINGTON, DC --- CPSC, Midwest Importers of Cannon Falls, Inc., Cannon Falls, MN is voluntarily recalling about 26,000 24-inch children's toy necklaces and 39,000 6-inch children's toy bracelets. Testing by the company revealed that the levels of lead in the products' paint exceeds government standards, presenting a safety hazard to children. Even though CPSC and the company know of no poisoning incidents, this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of poisoning. Both the necklaces and bracelets are constructed of wooden blue, pink, purple, and yellow colored beads with white wooden rabbits and orange wooden carrots strung on elastic strings. Each product is packaged in an 3-inch by 3-inch cardboard box with a transparent plastic lid. The boxes are not labeled except for a small adhesive tag attached to an elastic string which says "Made in China" and bears the Cannon Falls copyright. The products were imported from China and sold at retail stores nationwide from December 1992 through October 1993. The necklaces sold for approximately $3.00 each and bracelets sold for approximately $1.00 each. Consumers are urged to immediately take the necklaces and bracelet