Bean bag crab toys

CPSC Recall #98-058 — January 26, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-058
Recall DateJanuary 26, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 4,100
ManufacturerNancy Sales Co. Inc. of Chelsea, Mass.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Arcade and gift shops nationwide sold the toys from January 1997 through October 1997 for about $6.

Product

Bean bag crab toys

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nancy Sales Co. Inc. of Chelsea, Mass., is recalling about 4,100 bean bag crab toys. The toys' seams can separate and allow plastic pellets to be released, presenting an aspiration hazard to young children. CPSC and Nancy Sales Co. Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these toys. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The bean bag crab is made from red velour fabric. Its body, measuring about 4 inches wide, is filled with plastic pellets and has plastic black eyes. Attached to the crab's body are five pairs of stuffed legs that extend the crab to about 10 inches long. The crab has a sewn-on label that reads in part, "NANCO ... CHELSEA, MA...MADE IN CHINA." A tag attached to the toy at the time of sale describes the characteristics and habitat of the "Rock Crab." Arcade and gift shops nationwide sold the toys from January 1997 through October 1997 for about $6. Consumers should take these toys away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call Nancy Sales Co. Inc. at (800) 626-2947 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. U.S. Customs alerted CPSC to this hazard.

Hazard

The toys' seams can separate and allow plastic pellets to be released, presenting an aspiration hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Nancy Sales Co. Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these toys.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take these toys away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased 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.