Defrost heaters used in grocery store frozen food cases
CPSC Recall #04-163 — June 15, 2004
Product
Defrost heaters used in grocery store frozen food cases
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Electro-Heat Inc., of Allegan, Mich. is voluntarily recalling 16,000 defrost heaters used in grocery store frozen food cases. Moisture building up pressure inside the defrost heater can cause it to forcefully eject from the frozen food case, possibly injuring bystanders.Name of product: Defrost heaters used in grocery store frozen food casesUnits: 16,000Heater Manufacturer: Electro-Heat Inc., of Allegan, Mich.Food Case Manufacturer: Tyler Refrigeration, of Waxahachie, Texas, a division of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.Hazard: Moisture building up pressure inside the defrost heater can cause it to forcefully eject from the frozen food case, possibly injuring bystanders.Incidents/Injuries: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc. has reports of four incidents where the defrost heater forcefully ejected, and in two instances, the defrost heater penetrated through the end of the frozen food case. In one incident, a consumer's leg was broken.Description: The recalled defrost heater was used in Tyler's "wide island" frozen food end cap cases in grocery stores. The recalled defrost heaters (which are not visible to consumers) are Electro-Heat Defrost Heater Model 51957100. The Tyler wide island frozen food end cap cases with the recalled heaters are models NCE, NFE, NGE, NCGE, NFJEA, NCJEA, NCJGEA and NFJGEA. The model and serial number is located on the data plate, which is on the front inner panel of the case.Sold at: Grocery stores nationwide use these wide island frozen food end cap cases with defrost heaters to display food items. The cases with heaters were sold by Tyler Refrigeration from the mid-1970s to the present.Manufactured in: U.S.A.Remedy: Tyler will replace the recalled defrost heater with a Cal-rod hairpin style heater in all wide island frozen food and ice cream end cap cases.Consumer Contact: Tyler will contact its grocery store customers to set up appointments for the replacement of defrost heaters in these frozen food cases. For more information, contact Tyler's toll-free number at (800) 992-3744 x804 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Tyler's website at www.tylerrefrigeration.com.Media Contact: Margaret Gan-Garrison at (860) 674-3370.
Hazard
Moisture building up pressure inside the defrost heater can cause it to forcefully eject from the frozen food case, possibly injuring bystanders.
Incidents / Injuries
Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc. has reports of four incidents where the defrost heater forcefully ejected, and in two instances, the defrost heater penetrated through the end of the frozen food case. In one incident, a consumer's leg was broken.
Remedy
Tyler will replace the recalled defrost heater with a Cal-rod hairpin style heater in all wide island frozen food and ice cream end cap cases.
Units Affected
16,000
Sold At
Grocery stores nationwide use these wide island frozen food end cap cases with defrost heaters to display food items. The cases with heaters were sold by Tyler Refrigeration from the mid-1970s to the present.
Manufacturer
Heater Manufacturer: Electro-Heat Inc., of Allegan, Mich.Food Case Manufacturer: Tyler Refrigeration, of Waxahachie, Texas, a division of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.
Manufactured In
United States