50-ounce size FAB liquid Color-Plus laundry detergent
CPSC Recall #95-019 - November 2, 1994
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 95-019 |
| Recall Date | November 2, 1994 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 25,000 |
Product
50-ounce size FAB liquid Color-Plus laundry detergent
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Colgate-Palmolive of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling approximately 25,000 containers, a portion of one day's production, of 50-ounce size FAB liquid Color-Plus laundry detergent sold for $3.99, marked with the date code 4213. The recall affects only certain geographical areas. Colgate is recalling the FAB detergent that contains high levels of a chemical known as sodium hydroxide, which can cause a skin irritation or injure consumers if ingested or when coming in contact with the eyes. While other household products contain similar or higher levels of sodium hydroxide, they are marked with stronger cautionary warnings than FAB. Colgate shipped the recalled products beginning in August to stores in the following states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Some products may also be found in the following metropolitan areas: Washington, D.C., Richmond, Va., Detroit, and Chicago. Colgate has not received any reports of injuries from FAB; CPSC and Colgate are conducting this recall to prevent the possibility of injury. Consumers can determine whether they have purchased the recalled FAB by checking the bottom center of the back panel for a rectangular box with an eight-digit number that begins with 4213. Consumers can return the product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund or exchange. For more information, consumers should call Colgate's toll-free number, (800) 327-7044.
Hazard
Colgate is recalling the FAB detergent that contains high levels of a chemical known as sodium hydroxide, which can cause a skin irritation or injure consumers if ingested or when coming in contact with the eyes.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers can return the product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund or exchange.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, 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 (Refund, Replace) 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.