Wal-Mart Recalls Charm Key Chains Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2008
Release #08-250

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 925-6278
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

An additional 39,000 units have been recalled.

Wal-Mart Recalls Charm Key Chains Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: "Hip Charm" Key Chains

Units: About 12,000

Distributor: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Importer: FGX International Inc., of Smithfield, R.I.

Hazard: The charms on the key chain can contain high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: The Illinois Attorney General informed Wal-Mart and CPSC on April 16, 2008, that the key chain was found in the home of a 9-month-old child who was discovered to have high blood-levels of lead. The child was observed mouthing this key chain.

Description: The recalled key chain has several charms including a button, clover, leaf, heart and a sand dollar. The charms hang from a silver-colored chain. The words “Hip charm” and UPC (#31568 11017) are printed on the product’s packaging.

Sold at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from April 2005 through April 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should not allow children to handle the key chain and return it to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.walmartstores.com