U.S. Toy Company "Rooster," "Vegetable," "Animals'' and "Garden Tools" puzzles
CPSC Recall #93-049 — March 3, 1993
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 93-049 |
| Recall Date | March 3, 1993 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 10,000 |
| Manufactured In | Israel |
Product
U.S. Toy Company "Rooster," "Vegetable," "Animals'' and "Garden Tools" puzzles
Description
PRODUCT: Approximately 10,000 puzzles imported by U.S. Toy Company, Inc. The following four models were sold: model MTC-2033, the "Rooster" puzzle; model MTC-2026, the "Vegetable" puzzle; model MTC-2028, the "Garden Tools" puzzle; and model DL-4002, the "Animals" puzzle. PROBLEM: The red paint of each puzzle contains excessive levels of lead. WHAT TO DO: The Rooster, Vegetable and Garden Tools puzzles should be returned to the stores where purchased for an exchange. Puzzles ordered through U.S. Toy Company, Inc.'s home/parent and school catalogs should be returned to: U.S. Toy Company, Inc., 1227 East 119th St., Grandview, MO 64030 for an exchange and postage reimbursement. For more information consumers may call U.S. Toy Company, Inc. at: (816) 761-5900, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Eastern time. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, U.S. Toy Company, Inc., Grandview, MO, is voluntarily recalling the following four puzzles: "Rooster," "Vegetable," "Animals'' and "Garden Tools." CPSC testing of the puzzles in accordance with regulations under the Consumer Product Safety Act revealed levels of lead in the red paint of each puzzle that exceeds government standards, presenting a safety hazard to children. Even though CPSC and U.S. Toy Company know of no poisoning incidents, this recall of approximately 10,000 puzzles is being conducted to prevent the possibility of poisoning. The Rooster, Vegetable and Garden Tools puzzles measure 9-1/2 inches x 12 inches. The wooden knobs attached to the puzzle pieces measure 3/4 inches round. The labels on the cellophane wrapping in which the puzzles were sold read: "DORON LAYELED LTD. MADE IN ISRAEL." The Animals puzzle measures 21 inches x 6 inches. The wooden knobs attached to the puzzle pieces measure one inch round. The labels on the cellophane wrapping in which the puzzles were sold read "DORON LAYELED LTD. MADE IN ISRAEL." The Rooster puzzle, model MTC-2033, has six pieces that, when put together, make a rooster. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1991. The Vegetable puzzle, model MTC-2026, has five pieces that, when put together, make an ear of corn, a carrot, a head of lettuce, a cucumber and a tomato. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1991. The Garden Tools puzzle, model MTC-2028, has six pieces that, when put together, make a saw, a hammer, a tool box, a wrench and a file. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1991. The Animals puzzle, model DL-4002, has four pieces that, when put together, make a kitten, a duck, a fish and a dog. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through May 31, 1992. The puzzles were sold by Constructive Playthings stores located in Garden Grove, California; Skokie, Illinois; Leawood, Kansas; Carrollton, Texas; North Wales, Pennsylvania and Apopka, Florida and through U.S. Toy Company, Inc. catalogs. Additionally, the Garden Tools, Rooster and Vegetable puzzles were sold nationwide in retail stores. A total of approximately 10,000 puzzles were sold for approximately $15 to $17 each. Consumers are urged to immediately take the puzzles away from children. The Rooster, Vegetable and Garden Tools puzzles can be returned to the stores where purchased for an exchange for a puzzle that meets government standards. The Animals puzzle can be returned to one of the six Constructive Playthings stores for an exchange for a puzzle that meets government standards. Puzzles ordered through U.S. Toy Company, Inc.'s home/parent and school catalogs should be returned to: U.S. Toy Company, Inc., 1227 East 119th St., Grandview, MO 64030 for an exchange for a puzzle that meets government standards and reimbursement of postage. For more information, consumers may call U.S. Toy Company, Inc. at: (816) 761-5900, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30 a.m - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time. Neither CPSC nor U.S. Toy Company, Inc. is aware of any poisoning incidents involving these puzzles. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of poisoning. These unsafe puzzles were identified by CPSC during retail inspections. CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
Levels of lead in the red paint of each puzzle that exceeds government standards, presenting a safety hazard to children.
Incidents & Injuries
Neither CPSC nor U.S. Toy Company, Inc. is aware of any poisoning incidents involving these puzzles.
Remedy Instructions
The Rooster, Vegetable and Garden Tools puzzles should be returned to the stores where purchased for an exchange. Puzzles ordered through U.S. Toy Company, Inc.'s home/parent and school catalogs should be returned to: U.S. Toy Company, Inc., 1227 East 119th St., Grandview, MO 64030 for an exchange and postage reimbursement.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a 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 (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.