Pronto Caffe EM-l Espresso/Cappuccino SBeverage Makers
CPSC Recall #82-042 - September 28, 1982
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 82-042 |
| Recall Date | September 28, 1982 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 22,000 |
Product
Pronto Caffe EM-l Espresso/Cappuccino SBeverage Makers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Continental Gourmet Corp. of Edison, New Jersey, has agreed to replace parts on its Pronto Caffe EM-l Espresso/Cappuccino SBeverage Makers which were manufactured through May 1980. Approximately 22,000 units may be involved. According to CPSC, the coffee basket in particular units b of this appliance may be difficult to secure. The unit has a water reservoir below which the coffee basket is attached. The brewed coffee drips into a glass carafe positioned directly beneath the basket. If the coffee basket is not properly secured to the unit, the normal buildup of steam pressure could potentially cause the basket to dislodge and strike the glass carafe, resulting in flying glass and hot liquid. Eleven incidents of apparent basket detachment have been reported to the CPSC, four of which noted the occurrence of minor injuries consisting of cuts and burns. Additional incidents have been reported directly to the Company, two of which allegedly resulted in minor injuries. These beverage makers can be identified by the following date codes located on the bottom of each unit, the first number in each column indicating the month and second number indicating the year: 11 9 or 11 79 12 9 or 12 79 1 8 or 1 80 2 8 or 2 80 3 8 or 3 80 4 8 or 4 80 5 8 or 5 80 Continental Gourmet Corp. is offering consumers a replacement of the original coffee basket with a "universal" basket that has been modified for easier and more secure attachment to the unit and an unbreakable plastic carafe for the original glass carafe. Consumers who own an EM-l model with date codes specified above should refrain from using their appliance and, should contact the Continental Gourmet Corp. on its toll-free numbers as follows to obtain replacement parts: ALL UNITED STATES, EXCEPT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY: (800) 631-5473 ALL OF NEW JERSEY, EXCEPT (201) AREA CODE: (800) 272-1293 NEW JERSEY (201) AREA CODE: (201) 287-5360 or write to: Continental Gourmet Corp. 11 Executive Avenue Edison, New Jersey 08817
Hazard
The unit has a water reservoir below which the coffee basket is attached. The brewed coffee drips into a glass carafe positioned directly beneath the basket. If the coffee basket is not properly secured to the unit, the normal buildup of steam pressure could potentially cause the basket to dislodge and strike the glass carafe, resulting in flying glass and hot liquid.
Incidents & Injuries
Eleven incidents of apparent basket detachment have been reported to the CPSC, four of which noted the occurrence of minor injuries consisting of cuts and burns. Additional incidents have been reported directly to the Company, two of which allegedly resulted in minor injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who own an EM-l model with date codes specified above should refrain from using their appliance and, should contact the Continental Gourmet Corp. on its toll-free numbers.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) 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.