Baby pacifiers known as Chupetes

CPSC Recall #76-014 - February 24, 1976

Recall Summary

Recall Number76-014
Recall DateFebruary 24, 1976
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 37,000

Product

Baby pacifiers known as Chupetes

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 25) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with La Cibeles, Inc. of Union City, New Jersey today announced the recall of approximately 37,000 baby pacifiers known as Chupetes (pacifiers) which may pose a substantial product hazard. The pacifiers are marketed in four series marked "Fauna," "Flower," "Texas," and "Navy." The pacifiers are imported from Spain and are usually sold in plastic and cardboard casings with pictures on the backing and the name of the series in large letters on the top. The pacifier sells for approximately 45 cents ($.45). The Commission learned of the hazard through the death of a five-month old. boy in New York in mid-February. The plastic shield caught in the child's throat and death was caused by complications ensuing from asphyxia. The pacifiers are approximately 2 inches long with a 1 inch soft rubber nipple and a flexible plastic saucer-shaped shield at the base of the nipple approximately l-1/2 inches in diameter. The handle of the pacifier is in the shape of either an animal head, a flower, a baby with a cowboy hat or a baby with a sailor cap. The shield is marked 'Made in Spain" in small molded letters. They are usually displayed for sale on a large cardboard sign with markings similar to those on the package. The word "Chupete" appears on the display. The pacifiers have been distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida and Puerto Rico. Consumers who suspect they may have purchased one of these pacifiers should immediately remove it from the child's possession and return it to the place of purchase for a refund. For further information consumers should call the Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free hotline at 800/638-2772. This press release is available in Spanish through the Office of public Affairs.

Hazard

The pacifiers may pose a substantial choking hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

The Commission learned of the hazard through the death of a five-month old. boy in New York in mid-February. The plastic shield caught in the child's throat and death was caused by complications ensuing from asphyxia.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who suspect they may have purchased one of these pacifiers should immediately remove it from the child's possession and return it to the place of purchase for 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.

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.