Gateway foam rubber cows

CPSC Recall #00-002 - October 7, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-002
Recall DateOctober 7, 1999
Remedy TypeDispose, Replace

Where It Was Sold

Gateway stores distributed the cows from September 1997 through September 1999 as a give-away with a computer purchase. A small number were sold separately for about $4.

Product

Gateway foam rubber cows

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gateway Inc., of San Diego, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1 million foam rubber toy cows. Small pieces of these foam rubber cows can tear away, posing a serious choking hazard to young children. Gateway has received three reports, by consumers in the U.S., of small pieces of these cows tearing away. There have been no reports of any injuries. These cows are white with black spots. They are about 4.5 inches long and 3 inches high. "Gateway" is written in green on the cows' backs. Gateway stores distributed the cows from September 1997 through September 1999 as a giveaway with a computer purchase. A small number were sold separately for about $4. Consumers should either throw these cows away immediately or take them to any Gateway Country store location in exchange for another Gateway-brand item of comparable value. For more information, call Gateway toll-free at (877) 206-4889 anytime or go to the recall web site at www.gateway.com/stresscow.

Hazard

Small pieces of these foam rubber cows can tear away, posing a serious choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Gateway has received three reports, by consumers in the U.S., of small pieces of these cows tearing away. There have been no reports of any injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should either throw these cows away immediately or take them to any Gateway Country store location in exchange for another Gateway-brand item of comparable value.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, Replace 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 (Dispose, Replace) 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.