The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mattel, Inc. today announced that Mattel will attach warning labels to all Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids dolls following reports of children getting their hair and fingers caught in the doll's mouth.
"Mattel will put labels on all the dolls still on store shelves and on all future production," according to CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "The information will warn that long hair and fingers can get caught in the doll's mouth, and will tell consumers that the doll's chewing action can be stopped immediately by removing the backpack. The doll will not operate without the backpack in place."
Brown added that the CPSC is continuing to investigate possible safety risks posed by the doll. Mattel is pursuing its own investigation.
Glen Bozarth, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Mattel said: "This issue is of great concern to us and we are taking actions to address it immediately."
The CPSC and Mattel, Inc. are aware of 35 incidents where a child's hair or finger was caught in the mouths of these dolls. No serious injuries have been reported.
Mattel has distributed 700,000 Snacktime Kids since August 1996. Mattel will also provide the safety information and warnings to consumers who call 1-800-524-TOYS. The media contact for Mattel is Lisa McKendall, 310-252-4592.
For safety information about these dolls, or to register a complaint, consumers can call the CPSC Hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
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