CPSC and Levi Strauss & Co. Announce Recall of Garments Made From a Flammable Fleece Fabric

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Levi Strauss & Co. of San Francisco, Calif., is announcing the recall of approximately 57,000 fleece fabric shirts. The fabric is a cotton-polyester blend material with a raised fiber surface. Its fleecy texture closely resembles that of an inside-out sweatshirt. This fabric is often called sherpa.

Levi Strauss & Co. is recalling over 34,000 Levi's Jeans for Women junior-sized sweatshirts. Most of these garments were found to be dangerously flammable. The fabric in the garments fails to meet federal mandatory standards for fabric flammability and may ignite readily and present a serious risk of burn injuries in violation of the federal Flammable Fabrics Act. Fabrics that do not comply with the standard typically burn faster than newspaper.

CPSC and Levi Strauss & Co. are not aware of any injuries involving these shirts. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The Levi's Jeans for Women junior-sized sweatshirts come in two styles: a sleeveless, pullover vest with drawstring hood and center embroidery (product code 55930), and a long sleeve, crew neck sweatshirt with a center embroidery (product code 55956). The product codes can be found on the inside of the garment on the care label. The shirts come in sizes small, medium, and large and in a variety of colors, including black, olive, white, red, purple, and Caribbean blue. The garments have a sewn-in label that reads, "Levi's Jeans for Women... Made in Korea...82% cotton/18% polyester...WPL 423."

The garments were sold nationwide at retailers, such as J.C. Penney, Levi's Only Store, and Levi's Outlet by Designs. Garments were sold from October 1996 to February 1997 for a retail-established price of about $30.

Levi Strauss & Co. is also voluntarily recalling about 23,000 similar sweatshirts, which may fail the federal mandatory standards for fabric flammability. These shirts were sold under the Dockers Khakis for Women label and the Dockers Authentics for Men label. 

Levi Strauss & Co. is aware of one incident of a shirt reportedly flaring up when exposed to a flame, but no injuries resulted.

There are three styles of women's petites and misses reverse fleece Dockers Khakis for Women garments including, vests (product codes 53601 and 54601), cardigans (product codes 53604 and 54604), and pullovers (product codes 53605 and 54605). These garments come in small, medium, and large and in a variety of colors, including ink, oatmeal heather, black, red, and natural. There is one style of the men's reverse fleece Dockers Authentics for Men garment, which is a shirt that laces up the front (product code 67191). This garment is navy in color and comes in small, medium, large, and extra large. The product codes can be found on the inside of the garment on the care label. The garments have a sewn-in label that reads either "Dockers Khakis for Women" or "Dockers Authentics for Men", and "Made in Korea...80% cotton/20% polyester...WPL 423."

The garments were sold nationwide at retailers, such as J.C. Penney. Garments were sold from August 1995 to February 1997 for a retail-established price of about $25 to $35.

CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop wearing garments they believe may be involved in this recall. Consumers should return the garments to the store where purchased for a full refund. This recall does not extend to other Levi Strauss & Co. garments. For more information, consumers can call Levi Strauss & Co. toll-free at 1-800-USA-LEVI, or write to the company at Levi's Plaza, P.O. Box 7215, San Francisco, CA 94120.

CPSC is continuing to investigate additional fleece garments to determine whether or not they are in compliance with the law. 

CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop wearing garments they believe may be involved in this recall. Consumers should return the garments to the store where purchased for a full refund.

CPSC and Levi Strauss & Co. are not aware of any injuries involving these shirts. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.