Kinder Chocolate Eggs
CPSC Recall #97-172 — August 17, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-172 |
| Recall Date | August 17, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 5,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Kreiner Imports Inc. imported and distributed Kinder eggs from March 1997 through August 1997 through the following small candy and specialty stores in the South |
| Midwest and West: Continental Imports |
| 17115-E West Bluemound Rd. |
| Brookfield |
| WI; Rosemarie's Restaurant & Deli |
| 2445 Ridge Rd. |
| Lansing |
| IL; Edelweiss Delicatessen |
| 136 W. Northwest Hwy. |
| Palatine |
| IL; Van Nuys German Delicatessen |
| 16155 Roscoe Blvd. |
| North Hills |
| CA; Geier's Sausage Kitchen |
| 7447 S. Tamiami Trail |
| Sarasota |
| FL; Wolf's Delicatessen |
| 2019 S. Lumpkin Rd. |
| Columbus |
| GA; Heinz Bavarian Bakery |
| 3419 Noland Rd. |
| Independence |
| MO; Ehmer's Chef's Market |
| 7804 Fairview Rd. |
| Charlotte |
| NC; Himmel Haus Imports |
| 3444 Main St. |
| Elkhart |
| IN; German Specialties |
| 515 N. Western Ave. |
| Peoria |
| IL; Katy's Catering |
| 2732 7th St. |
| Moline |
| IL; Deutsche Ecke Bakery & Cafe |
| 451 N. Wilson Blvd. |
| Radcliff |
| KY; Mainzer's Delicatessen |
| 12113 S. Dixie Hwy. |
| Miami |
| FL. |
Product
Kinder Chocolate Eggs
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kreiner Imports Inc. of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,000 Kinder chocolate eggs, which Kreiner imported into the United States and which contain a surprise toy within a plastic capsule. Some of the toys have small parts that present a serious choking and aspiration hazard to children under three years of age.CPSC considers the toys within the eggs as presently imported and sold to violate CPSC's small parts regulation with respect to children under three.The Ferrero Group, the manufacturer of Kinder chocolate eggs, does not market this product in the United States. Ferrero said that it markets the product in other countries solely for children three and older and designs these toys to be assembled by older children. Ferrero considers the product safe for children three years and older. Ferrero said it is working with Customs and CPSC and is pursuing legal action against parties involved in illegal imports.CPSC and Ferrero are not aware of any injuries in the United States involving these toys. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury to children under three years of age.The Kinder eggs are hollow milk chocolate eggs about the size of a large hen's egg in an orange, white and blue foil wrapper. The toy within the egg is contained in an oval-shaped plastic capsule. The toy requires assembly and each egg contains a different toy. The labeling is in German. The foil wrapper of the egg is labeled in part, "Kinder UBERRASCHUNG ...FERRERO."Kreiner Imports Inc. imported and distributed Kinder eggs from March 1997 through August 1997 through the following small candy and specialty stores in the South, Midwest and West.CPSC and Ferrero believe that other companies have imported and sold additional Kinder eggs in the United States -- without Ferrero's knowledge or authorization -- under the Kinder Surprise label. These eggs are labeled in English and other languages. The foil wrapper of the egg is labeled in part, "Kinder Surprise...Containing Surprise Toy...MADE BY FERRERO."Consumers should take these toys away from children under three years of age immediately. If purchased at the above listed stores, consumers should return the toys to the store for a full refund. Otherwise, consumers should call Ferrero U.S.A. Inc at (888) 393-2849 for instructions on returning the toys for a full refund and a bonus premium.
Hazard
Some of the toys have small parts that present a serious choking and aspiration hazard to children under three years of age.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Ferrero are not aware of any injuries in the United States involving these toys. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury to children under three years of age.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take these toys away from children under three years of age immediately. If purchased at the above listed stores, consumers should return the toys to the store 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.
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.