The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall of three models of infant pacifiers due to the risk of choking if small, decorative parts of the pacifier break loose; vent holes in the mouth guard of some units are also too small for safety. All the pacifiers are made by a company called Fred & Friends and were sold in the United States and Canada from April 2013 through December 2013. The CPSC is urging parents and child-caregivers to immediately remove these products from access to infants and small children.
The three pacifier models being recalled are:
Chill Baby Artiste: Code CPART, UPC #728987021282. This model features a black plasticmustache and beard that can detach during normal use.- Chill Baby Volume Control: Code CBVOL, UPC #728987020599. This model features a decorative black “volume” control knob on the front center. This knob can become detached and the vent holes on either side of the mouth guard are too small to meet the US Code of Federal Regulations governing pacifier safety.
- Chill Baby Panic: Code CBPANIC, UPC #728987020605. This model features a decorative red “panic” button. The vent holes on some units of this model are too small to meet federal safety regulations.
General Product Description
All pacifiers included in the recall are made in China of plastic and silicone rubber. Each unit measures approximately 2 inches in width and are about 1.5 inches tall.
Where Sold
Approximately 183,000 of the recalled pacifiers were sold in the US and 17,000 were sold in Canada. The Fred & Friends product line is sold at hospital and museum gift shops; department, drug, and grocery stores; and in stores that specialize in baby products, toys, gifts, and home decorating. These pacifiers were also available online.
Recall / Refund Details
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for these pacifiers is about $10 but the price will vary according to retail outlet. Fred & Friends, a subsidiary of Lifetime Brands, Inc., is offering a $12 refund for each pacifier returned; no purchase receipt is necessary. The company will provide consumers with a postage-paid envelope to return the pacifiers in.
To resell or attempt to resell any product recalled in the US is against the law, according to the CPSC.
Reported Incidents
To date, only one incident has been reported to Fred & Friends. It involved detachment of the knob on the Volume model infant pacifier. No injury was associated with this product malfunction.
Similar Recalls
- In June 2013, Fred & Friends recalled baby rattles that posed the risk for choking. Almost 57,000 units were recalled.
- In January 2014, Playtex issued a recall for 1.4 million pacifier holders that could pose risk for choking if the clip became detached.
Sources:
- “Fred & Friends Recalls Infant Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard.” US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Jan 30, 2014. Web. Feb 7, 2014.
- “Pacifier Recall / Safety Recall Notice (refund details).” Fred & Friends. Lifetime Brands, Inc. n.d. Web. Feb 7, 2014.