"Rochedo" brand pressure cookers
CPSC Recall #83-069 - November 30, 1983
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 83-069 |
| Recall Date | November 30, 1983 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose |
| Units Affected | Approximately 300,000 |
Product
"Rochedo" brand pressure cookers
Description
Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Alcan Aluminio Do Brasil, S.A., the Brasilian subsidiary of Alcan Aluminum Limited of Montreal, announced that approximately 300,000 pressure cookers distributed in the United States and Puerto Rico between 1977 and 1983 were being recalled.Approximately 240,000 of the pressure cookers were marketed in Puerto Rico and the rest were distributed in the Continental United States, primarily in Spanish-speaking areas of New York, Newark, New Jersey, Tampa and Miami, Florida.The pressure cookers were recalled because of a faulty gasket which allows the pots to be opened while still containing pressure. Continued use of the pressure cookers could result in physical injury to the users. Alcan is aware of two incidents involving this pressure cooker which resulted in scald type injuries.The pressure cookers are marketed under the company's "Rochedo" brand name and they can be identified by the stamp "'A Product of Alcan Aluminio do Brasil" on the bottom of the pot.Consumers should stop using the product and discard or destroy it. The company is out of business and cannot be contacted. Any pressure cooker with a "U.L. Approved" stamped on the bottom is not affected.Information concerning this matter is also available to consumers on CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.
Hazard
The pressure cookers were recalled because of a faulty gasket which allows the pots to be opened while still containing pressure. Continued use of the pressure cookers could result in physical injury to the users.
Incidents & Injuries
Alcan is aware of two incidents involving this pressure cooker which resulted in scald type injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the product and discard or destroy it. The company is out of business and cannot be contacted. Any pressure cooker with a "U.L. Approved" stamped on the bottom is not affected.
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.
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.
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.