ACJ-250 Aroma Juice Extractors

CPSC Recall #02-204 — July 17, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-204
Recall DateJuly 17, 2002
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 117,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Discount specialty and department stores sold the recalled juice extractors from March 1996 through July 2002 for about $25.

Product

ACJ-250 Aroma Juice Extractors

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Aroma Housewares Co., of San Diego, Calif., is recalling about 117,000 more juice extractors or juicers. The juicer's filter and lid can break apart and project metal and plastic into the air, causing injuries to consumers.The firm previously recalled 40,000 juicers in June 1999. This recall includes redesigned juicers used as replacements for the original recall.Aroma Housewares has received two additional reports of the redesigned juicer's filter and lid breaking apart, resulting in two consumers suffering minor injuries. There have been 32 reports of the original juicer breaking, and 32 reports of injuries. Seven of these injuries required stitches and one required surgery for lacerated arteries.All model ACJ-250 Aroma Juice Extractors are included in the recall. "ACJ-250" and "MADE IN CHINA" are written on the bottom of the juicer on a silver label. The juice extractor is made of white and clear plastic and has a metal filter. "Aroma" is printed on the front of the unit.Discount specialty and department stores sold the recalled juice extractors from March 1996 through July 2002 for about $25.Consumers should stop using the recalled juice extractors immediately, and call the company for information on receiving a refund. Even if consumers previously received a replacement juicer as part of the original recall, they should contact Aroma Housewares for a refund. Consumers should call Aroma Housewares at (800) 276-6286 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.Aroma reported to CPSC the recent incidents of the redesigned juicer breaking. See CPSC's July 2, 2002 press release. 

Hazard

The juicer's filter and lid can break apart and project metal and plastic into the air, causing injuries to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Aroma Housewares has received two additional reports of the redesigned juicer's filter and lid breaking apart, resulting in two consumers suffering minor injuries. There have been 32 reports of the original juicer breaking, and 32 reports of injuries. Seven of these injuries required stitches and one required surgery for lacerated arteries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled juice extractors immediately, and call the company for information on receiving a refund. Even if consumers previously received a replacement juicer as part of the original recall, they should contact Aroma Housewares for a refund.

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.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.