Stuffed baby chicks, ducklings and goslings

CPSC Recall #83-020 - April 12, 1983

Recall Summary

Recall Number83-020
Recall DateApril 12, 1983
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 25,000
ImporterNew Angles/Wallace Oaks and Hickory Valley, both of Ojai, California

Product

Stuffed baby chicks, ducklings and goslings

Description

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and two importers, New Angles/Wallace Oaks and Hickory Valley, both of Ojai, California, announce the recall of dead, stuffed baby chicks, ducklings, and goslings which contain the poison, arsenic. The articles were distributed nationally through gift shops, florists, and florist suppliers. The stuffed birds have been marketed in various ways, including mounted on a small base, or in a basket or floral arrangement. The stuffed birds were imported from mainland China and the recall involves less than 25,000 units. The CPSC began its investigation on April 5, 1983, and had samples in various state and Federal agency laboratories by April 6. The results of these tests confirm the presence of arsenic as earlier reported by the State of Ohio. These results showed arsenic to be present in significant amounts in the skin and down of the stuffed birds. The CPSC is not aware of any confirmed incidents of poisoning resulting from the stuffed birds. Persons in possession of these stuffed birds should seal them securely in double plastic bags and return them to the place of purchase. Retailers are advised to stop selling the stuffed baby birds which are banned by the Federal Hazardous Substance Act and offer their customers a refund. Retailers and wholesalers should hold the returned units pending instructions from their suppliers. Persons with questions about these articles should call the importers: New Angles/Wallace Oaks (805-646-1112) or Hickory Valley (805-646-0128), or the Consumer Product Safety Commission toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC.

Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and two importers, New Angles/Wallace Oaks and Hickory Valley, both of Ojai, California, announce the recall of dead, stuffed baby chicks, ducklings, and goslings which contain the poison, arsenic.

Incidents & Injuries

The CPSC is not aware of any confirmed incidents of poisoning resulting from the stuffed birds.

Remedy Instructions

Persons in possession of these stuffed birds should seal them securely in double plastic bags and return them to the place of purchase. Retailers are advised to stop selling the stuffed baby birds which are banned by the Federal Hazardous Substance Act and offer their customers 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.