FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 1998
Release # 98-102
Company Phone Number: (888) 311-6720 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063
CPSC and Sanrio Inc. Announce Recall of Mascot Plushes Animal Toys
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sanrio Inc., of South San
Francisco, Calif., is recalling about 29,000 stuffed Mascot
Plushes animal toys. The small bells on these stuffed toys
can become detached, presenting an aspiration hazard to
young children, which could result in death.
CPSC and Sanrio Inc. are not aware of any injuries
involving these toys. This recall is being conducted to
prevent the possibility of injury.
The Mascot Plushes involved in this recall are
5-inch-high bean-stuffed animals. They include Hello Kitty,
a cat, item 014388; Keroppi, a frog, item 014389; Pochacco,
a dog, item 014390; and Badtz Maru, a penguin, item 014391.
Each animal comes with a quarter-inch wide metal bell. A
card tag, attached to the toy when sold, shows each
individual character's name, the item number and also reads,
"Sanrio Inc." and "Made in China."
The plush toys were sold at Sanrio's stores and various
other retail stores nationwide in October 1997 for about $5.
Consumers should take these stuffed toys away from
young children immediately, and either remove the bell from
the toy, or return the toy to the store where purchased for
a full refund. The toy also can be returned by mail for a
full refund plus the cost of postage to Sanrio, Attn:
Quality Assurance Dept., 570 Eccles Ave., South San
Francisco, CA 94080. For more information about this recall,
consumers should call Sanrio at (888) 311-6720 between
8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.