FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 1999
Release # 99-160a
Company Phone Number: (800) 249-0562 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058
Bug's Life Flashlights Recalled by General Mills
PRODUCT: Bug's Life Flashlights - General Mills, of Minneapolis, Minn.,
is recalling about 139,000 "Bug's Life" mini-projector flashlights, used
as a premium with its cereals. The 6-inch, green plastic flashlight has
five interchangeable lenses printed with characters from the movie, A
Bug's Life. The flashlight casts the outline of the characters on the
wall. The flashlight shows an ant character, named "Flik," from the
movie. They use two "AA" batteries. "Made in China" is written on the
bottom of the flashlight. Giant Eagle grocery stores in Pennsylvania,
West Virginia and Ohio distributed about 8,000 of these flashlights from
April 1999 through May 1999 in exchange for four UPC symbols from
General Mills cereals. About 131,000 of these flashlights were sold
nationwide by General Mills through mail order for about $6. General
Mills is contacting these customers directly about the recall.
PROBLEM: These flashlights can short circuit and become very hot when
turned on, posing a risk of burns to consumers.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: General Mills has received three reports of these
flashlights overheating. There have been no reports of injuries.
WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these flashlights immediately,
remove and discard the batteries, and mail the flashlights to: General
Mills, P.O. Box 2141, Milaca, MN 56353-2141. Consumers who purchased
flashlights from Giant Eagle will receive coupons for free boxes of
cereal and reimbursement for postage. Consumers who purchased these
flashlights by mail order will be notified directly about the procedure
for obtaining a refund for the flashlights. For more information, call
General Mills at (800) 249-0562 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CDT
Monday through Friday.
