Musical Dolls with Rotating Head
CPSC Recall #91-045 — April 1, 1991
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 91-045 |
| Recall Date | April 1, 1991 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 48,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| The dolls |
| manufactured by Faratak |
| Inc. |
| were sold nationwide to retail gift and specialty stores |
| including flower and hospital gift shops |
| from January 1989 to September 1990 and retail for about $20.00 each. |
Product
Musical Dolls with Rotating Head
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Faratak, Inc., Alhambra, CA is voluntarily recalling approximately 48,000 "Musical Dolls with Rotating Head" model numbers 501A, B, C, 502A, B, C, 503A, B, C, 504A, B, C, 505A, B, C and 506A, B, C because of small parts that pose a potential choking hazard for children under three years of age. The potentially hazardous dolls were identified by CPSC during an inspection of Faratak, Inc. When CPSC tested the dolls in accordance with regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the plastic button eyes separated from the dolls' heads creating small parts that pose a potential choking hazard for children under three years of age. The cloth wind-up musical dolls are in a sitting position measuring approximately seven inches tall. They are clothed in an array of colorful print dresses with brown, yellow, or white yarn hair. Their heads rotate when the wind-up key to the music box is activated to play "It's A Small World." The label located underneath the doll's dress reads in part "Faratak, Inc., Alhambra, CA, Made in China." All dolls, made under the model numbers listed above, with plastic button eyes are subject to recall. The different model numbers reflect differences in dress pattern, hair style and color although the head construction of all models is identical. The dolls, manufactured by Faratak, Inc., were sold nationwide to retail gift and specialty stores, including flower and hospital gift shops, from January 1989 to September 1990 and retail for about $20.00 each. Neither the CPSC nor Faratak, Inc. is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Consumers are urged to take the toy away from children under three years of age immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a replacement or mail the product to Faratak, Inc. for a full refund of the purchase price and shipping costs. For more information about this recall, consumers may call 1-818-281-2424 or write Faratak, Inc. at 2620 Concord Ave., #102, Alhambra, CA 91830. The CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for product safety. Some 15,000 different consumer products fall within the Commission's jurisdiction and each year these products are involved in an estimated 30 million injuries and 22,000 deaths.
Hazard
Small parts on the dolls pose a potential choking hazard for children under three years of age.
Incidents & Injuries
Neither the CPSC nor Faratak, Inc. is aware of any injuries involving this product.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are urged to take the toy away from children under three years of age immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a replacement or mail the product to Faratak, Inc. for a full refund of the purchase price and shipping costs.
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.