NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers

CPSC Recall #95-001 - October 2, 1994

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-001
Recall DateOctober 2, 1994
Remedy TypeDispose, Replace
Units AffectedApproximately 10 million
Manufactured InGermany and USA

Product

NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers

Description

Washington, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gerber Products Company, Fremont, Mich., is voluntarily recalling approximately 10 million NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers manufactured between July 1, 1993 and June 30, 1994. No other Gerber pacifiers or products are involved in this recall. NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers distributed by hospitals are not involved in this recall. The recalled pacifiers may separate into pieces. The pieces could present a choking hazard to young children. Although there have been no injuries reported, the Gerber Company has received 26 consumer reports of these pacifiers separating into their component parts. The pacifiers have the name "NUK" embossed on the mouth shield of each product. The packages in which the recalled pacifiers were sold read, in part, "Nipple made in Germany. Plastic parts molded and unit assembled in USA. Printed in USA. Distributed by Gerber Products Company...". Date codes on the back of the package range from 070193 (July 1, 1993) to 063094 (June 30, 1994). The pacifiers were sold in retail stores nationwide. They were sold in single and multiple packs in a price range of $1.29 to $4.99. Gerber reports that the NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers involved in this recall have been removed from store shelves. NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers manufactured after June 30, 1994 were modified and are not affected by this recall and modified pacifiers are currently on store shelves. The packages of these newer pacifiers are date coded 070194 (July 1, 1994) and later and can also be identified by the word "NEW" on the front of the package. Any "NUK" pacifiers for which consumers do not have the packages in which the pacifiers were sold should be considered subject to this recall. Consumers are urged to take the recalled pacifiers away from young children immediately and throw them away. Call Gerber Products Company at its toll free number 1-800-4-Gerber to receive a free replacement pacifier. News media inquiries to Gerber should be directed to Nancy Lindner at 616-928-2774. Neither CPSC nor Gerber Products Company is aware of any injuries involving these pacifiers; this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The potentially hazardous pacifiers were reported to CPSC by Gerber Products Company.

Hazard

The recalled pacifiers may separate into pieces. The pieces could present a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Neither CPSC nor Gerber Products Company is aware of any injuries involving these pacifiers.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are urged to take the recalled pacifiers away from young children immediately and throw them away. Call Gerber Products Company at its toll free number 1-800-4-Gerber to receive a free replacement pacifier.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, Replace 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 (Dispose, Replace) 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.