Surprise Party Time Ball Toy Contains Look-Alike--Drug Capsules

MAY 31, 1994 Release # 94-084 PRODUCT: Approximately 12,000 "Surprise Party Time Balls" imported from Taiwan by Toysmith. The balls contain seven to ten trinket toys. Some of the balls also include a sealed clear plastic packet containing several blue and white or green capsules. Each ball is three-inches in diameter. Each ball is wrapped in multi-colored crepe paper. Some of the trinket toys inside the balls may include nylon cord friendship bracelets and rings, paper packets of dinosaurs and monsters, several round reflectors, animal shapes, chess pieces, and plastic cartoon faces. The balls were sold in boxes labeled in part: "SURPRISE PARTY TIME BALL *** SMALL PARTS INSIDE THE BALL NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS *** MADE IN TAIWAN." A sticker on the ball reads "MADE IN TAIWAN." The balls were sold nationwide from January 1991 through May 1994.PROBLEM: The capsules inside the balls can easily pull apart or crumble when pressed, exposing a white hard granular substance. The Monroe County, New York, Public Safety Laboratory, at the request of the Monroe County Health Department, established that the contents of the capsules were not drugs and there is no indication that the material is hazardous. While the capsules are not believed to be hazardous, the appearance of look-alike-drugs in a child's toy is inappropriate.WHAT TO DO: Return the balls to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers who have questions about this recall may contact Toysmith at (206) 395-3644.WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Toysmith, Kent, Washington, is voluntarily recalling 12,000 "Surprise Party Time Balls" because some of the toys contain look-alike-drug capsules. All of the balls contain 7 to 10 trinket toys. Some of the balls include a sealed clear plastic packet containing several blue and white, or green gelatin capsules similar to pharmaceutical products. The capsules can easily pull apart or crumble when pressed and contain a white hard granular substance. Extensive tests