Better Valu Clear Ammonia

CPSC Recall #95-167 — September 17, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-167
Recall DateSeptember 17, 1995
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected3,608

Where It Was Sold

The bleach sold for about $1 between June 1 and August 23
1995 at Brookshires retail grocery stores and independent retail outlets serviced by Brookshires Brothers
Fleming El Paso and Hale Halsell in Texas
Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Product

Better Valu Clear Ammonia

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, The Excelex Corporation of Dallas, Tex., is recalling 3,608 mislabeled bottles of a product labeled as "Better Valu Clear Ammonia." The product is a misbranded hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The recalled bottles actually contain bleach. If the bleach is accidentally mixed with ammonia or acid, irritating or toxic gasses could be produced. The product is packaged in 64-fluid oz. containers made of white, opaque plastic, labeled in part, "Better Valu***Clear Ammonia***64 FL. OZ 2QTS.) *** 79801 98767 *** E15295 *** PACKED FOR FEDERATED FOODS, INC. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005-1096 ***." The bleach sold for about $1 between June 1 and August 23, 1995 at Brookshires retail grocery stores and independent retail outlets serviced by Brookshires Brothers, Fleming El Paso and Hale Halsell in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Only bottles labeled as "Ammonia" with the 10 digit barcode "79801 98767" and 10 digit batch code beginning with "E15295****" are affected by this recall. Consumers should stop using the product in these containers immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers should call The Excelex Corporation toll free at (800) 852-4108 for more information. Excelex and CPSC are aware of one incident in which a consumer mixed the contents of one of the mislabeled bottles with ammonia, producing a harmful gas. Excelex initiated this recall at CPSC's request.

Hazard

The product is a misbranded hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The recalled bottles actually contain bleach. If the bleach is accidentally mixed with ammonia or acid, irritating or toxic gasses could be produced.

Incidents & Injuries

Excelex and CPSC are aware of one incident in which a consumer mixed the contents of one of the mislabeled bottles with ammonia, producing a harmful gas.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the product in these containers immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a full 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.