Sports Blast Drink Bottles Recalled by Chiquita Brands NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 1997 Release # 98-007 Company Phone Number: (800) 524-3841 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 CPSC, Chiquita Brands Announce Recall of Sports Blast™ Drink Bottles WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Chiquita Brands of Cincinnati, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling and withdrawing from the market 177,559 cases of sports drink bottles sold under the brand name Sports Blast™. These bottles have plastic pull-up tops that can separate from the cap, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children. Chiquita has received 10 reports of children pulling the bottle tops off with their teeth. No injuries have been reported. Sports Blast™ drinks are sold in 8-ounce plastic bottles. They come in four flavors: "Rollin Blue Raspberry," "Freestyle Fruit Punch," "Inline Orange" and "Groovin Grape." The Chiquita logo and the words "Sports Blast...Naturally Flavored...Sports Drink" are printed on the bottle's label. The bottles come in a variety pack containing 24 of the 8-ounce bottles. Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club stores nationwide sold cases of Sports Blast™ bottles from March 1997 through August 1997 for about $6. Consumers can safely drink the product by completely removing and destroying the plastic cap. Consumers can return unopened bottles to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers can call Sports Blast at (800) 524-3841 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday for more information. Other Chiquita Brands products are not involved in this recall.