Starbucks Children's Plastic Cups
CPSC Recall #08-017 — October 8, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 08-017 |
| Recall Date | October 8, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 250,000 |
| Importer | Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Starbucks stores nationwide from May 2006 through August 2007 for about $6. |
Product
Starbucks Children's Plastic Cups
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 250,000 Starbucks Children's Plastic Cups. If the cup is dropped, the colorful face on the cup can break off and leave small parts or sharp exposed edges that can pose a choking or laceration hazard to young children.Name of Product: Starbucks Children's Plastic CupsUnits: About 250,000Importer: Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash.Hazard: If the cup is dropped, the colorful face on the cup can break off and leave small parts or sharp exposed edges that can pose a choking or laceration hazard to young children.Incidents/Injuries: Starbucks has received seven reports of the cups breaking, including two reports in which a child began to choke on a broken piece. No injuries have been reported.Description: The recall includes four styles of Starbucks children's plastic 10-ounce cups. Styles include: "Dot" Red Ladybug; "Dash" Green Turtle; Bunny Pink; and Chick Yellow cups.Sold exclusively at: Starbucks stores nationwide from May 2006 through August 2007 for about $6.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled cups away from young children and contact Starbucks for instructions on returning the cups for a refund. Starbucks is also offering a complimentary beverage as an incentive to return the recalled cups.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Starbucks at (888) 288-4008 anytime or visit the firm's website at www.starbucks.com.
Hazard
If the cup is dropped, the colorful face on the cup can break off and leave small parts or sharp exposed edges that can pose a choking or laceration hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Starbucks has received seven reports of the cups breaking, including two reports in which a child began to choke on a broken piece. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately take the recalled cups away from young children and contact Starbucks for instructions on returning the cups for a refund. Starbucks is also offering a complimentary beverage as an incentive to return the recalled cups.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Federal law prohibits the sale of toys with small parts for children under age 3. CPSC uses a standardized small parts cylinder to test whether pieces from a toy can fit entirely inside — if they can, they are considered a choking hazard. Products marketed for children under 3 must not contain any small parts. Beyond the legal requirements, the CPSC and pediatricians recommend keeping all small objects away from children under 4, as the risk of choking extends beyond the formal legal age threshold.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.