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"Powerball" premium ball

CPSC Recall #87-056 - September 23, 1987

Recall Summary

Recall Number87-056
Recall DateSeptember 23, 1987
Remedy TypeDispose
Units AffectedApproximately ten million

Product

"Powerball" premium ball

Description

WASHINGTON, DC -- In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, General Mills is warning parents who purchased 15 and 20 ounce size boxes of Cheerios containing a free "Powerball" premium to keep the premium away from children approximately three years of age or under, or to discard it. General Mills has also voluntarily halted shipments and is taking immediate steps to remove packages containing the "Powerball" from wholesale and retail channels.General Mills said the ball was reportedly involved in the accidental choking death of a one-year-old child. Four other incidents involving balls in the mouths of young children that did not result in injury were also reported to the firm.Approximately ten million boxes of cereal with the "Powerball" have been sold since May 1987. Another estimated five million boxes are currently either on retail shelves or in the control of General Mills or its distributors.General Mills reports that the ball, which is similar in size and other characteristics to balls sold in retail outlets for many years, is non-toxic and comes sealed in a heavy plastic wrapper. The ball meets all Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations and was designed by the Company to exceed the minimum size requirements in the Commission regulations for toys intended for children under three years of age. The ball was thoroughly tested by independent laboratories prior to acceptance by General Mills as a premium, according to the firm.The company and Commission caution parents that children of approximately three years of age or under may tend to place small objects like the "Powerball" into their mouths. They urge parents to keep all such items away from small children. General Mills is initiating a consumer education campaign through advertisements and cereal box inserts to educate consumers about this risk. Cheerios cereal continues to be available in packages not containing the "Powerball."Consumers with questions may contact General Mills at 1-800-328-1144 from 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. central daylight time on weekdays.The Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds consumers that any death or injury associated with any consumer product can be reported by calling the Commission's toll-free hotline at 1-800-638-CPSC. The Commission's teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270. For further information, the media may call R.C. Shulstad of General Mills at 612-540-3745.

Hazard

The company and Commission caution parents that children of approximately three years of age or under may tend to place small objects like the "Powerball" into their mouths, which poses a choking hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

General Mills said the ball was reportedly involved in the accidental choking death of a one-year-old child. Four other incidents involving balls in the mouths of young children that did not result in injury were also reported to the firm.

Remedy Instructions

General Mills is warning parents who purchased 15 and 20 ounce size boxes of Cheerios containing a free "Powerball" premium to keep the premium away from children approximately three years of age or under, or to discard it.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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) 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.

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