PureSilk Shave Gel
CPSC Recall #96-157 — July 1, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-157 |
| Recall Date | July 1, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | More than 500,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Drug |
| grocery |
| and cosmetic stores sold more than 500 |
| 000 purple |
| seven-ounce cans of the shaving gel nationwide for between $2 and $2.50 a can. |
Product
PureSilk Shave Gel
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, the Consumer Health Care Group of Pfizer Inc. is announcing a voluntary recall of cans of PureSilk Shave Gel for women sold between October 1995 and June 1996. The inner liner of the can may corrode, and as a result the can may rupture, which could propel a plastic component or the gel from the can. Consumers could be injured by sharp edges of the ruptured can or by the plastic component. Pfizer is aware of 10 incidents of the cans rupturing. No injuries have been reported. Drug, grocery, and cosmetic stores sold more than 500,000 purple, seven-ounce cans of the shaving gel nationwide for between $2 and $2.50 a can. This recall does not affect the cream product for women sold under the name PureSilk Shave Cream. Consumers should stop using the shave gel immediately and discharge the shaving gel to reduce pressure within the can. Consumers should record the product's lot number, which is printed on the bottom of the container, then discard the shave gel can. To receive a free replacement certificate or a refund, consumers should send their name and address, with the container lot number, to Pfizer Consumer Health Care - Consumer Relations Dept., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10017-5755. For more information, consumers should call Pfizer at (800) 723-7529. Media inquiries should be directed to Brian McGlynn or Robert Fauteux at (212) 573-7900.
Hazard
The inner liner of the can may corrode, and as a result the can may rupture, which could propel a plastic component or the gel from the can. Consumers could be injured by sharp edges of the ruptured can or by the plastic component.
Incidents & Injuries
Pfizer is aware of 10 incidents of the cans rupturing. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
To receive a free replacement certificate or a refund, consumers should send their name and address, with the container lot number, to Pfizer Consumer Health Care - Consumer Relations Dept., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10017-5755.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, 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 (Refund, Replace) 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.