"The Busy World of Richard Scarry" finger puppets, Lowly Worm and Huckle Cat; and Rocky & Bullwin...
CPSC Recall #93-062 — April 11, 1993
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 93-062 |
| Recall Date | April 11, 1993 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 500,000 finger puppets and 80,000 inflatable balls |
Where It Was Sold
| Approximately 500 |
| 000 finger puppets were distributed free in Taco Bell Kid's Meals from January 25 through March 28 |
| 1993. About 80 |
| 000 inflatable balls |
| also free in Kid's Meals |
| were distributed from March 29 through March 31 |
| 1993. |
Product
"The Busy World of Richard Scarry" finger puppets, Lowly Worm and Huckle Cat; and Rocky & Bullwinkle inflatable balls.
Description
PRODUCT: Approximately 500,000 Lowly Worm and Huckle Cat finger puppets and 80,000 Rocky & Bullwinkle inflatable balls distributed free by Taco Bell restaurants. The finger puppets were distributed free in Taco Bell Kid's Meals from January 25 through March 28, 1993 and the inflatable balls were distributed free in Taco Bell Kid's Meals from March 29 through March 31, 1993. PROBLEM: Taco Bell received complaints that the finger puppets became stuck on the tongues of three children; and several complaints that blowing up the balls caused slight dizziness. WHAT TO DO: Return both products to any Taco Bell location and receive a complimentary original Taco. Consumers with questions may call toll-free at 1-800-374-8220. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Taco Bell Corp. of Irvine, CA announced a voluntary recall of items recently distributed in two Kid's Meal promotions by Taco Bell restaurants throughout the United States. "The Busy World of Richard Scarry" finger puppets, Lowly Worm and Huckle Cat, were recalled, as well as Rocky & Bullwinkle inflatable balls. Taco Bell received complaints that the finger puppets had become stuck on the tongues of three children and several complaints that blowing up the balls caused slight dizziness. A spokesperson for Taco Bell said, "Taco Bell has elected to recall both items voluntarily from our stores to eliminate any possibility of future customer discomfort and inconvenience. We want to continue to ensure the comfort and safety of our customers." According to the manufacturer, both products were tested in accordance with CPSC regulations. Approximately 500,000 finger puppets were distributed free in Taco Bell Kid's Meals from January 25 through March 28, 1993. About 80,000 inflatable balls, also free in Kid's Meals, were distributed from March 29 through March 31, 1993. Consumers may return both products to any Taco Bell location and receive a complimentary original Taco. A toll-free consumer hotline has been established at 1-800-374-8220 to respond to consumer inquiries.
Hazard
Taco Bell received complaints that the finger puppets had become stuck on the tongues of three children and several complaints that blowing up the balls caused slight dizziness.
Incidents & Injuries
Taco Bell received complaints that the finger puppets had become stuck on the tongues of three children and several complaints that blowing up the balls caused slight dizziness.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers may return both products to any Taco Bell location and receive a complimentary original Taco.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a 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 (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.