The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Lancaster Colony Corp., of Columbus, Ohio, will pay a civil penalty of $150,000 to settle allegations that the company's original formulation Clearfire candles, sold by its Candle-lite division, contained a defect and the firm failed to report the problem to the agency as required by law.
CPSC alleges that Lancaster Colony failed to report that original formulation Clearfire candles could flare up, causing the glass holders to overheat and break, putting consumers at risk of being burned or injured by broken glass. CPSC alleges that Lancaster Colony was aware of at least 142 incidents involving candle flare-ups, resulting in 20 burn or laceration injuries and more than 55 reports of property damage, but did not report to CPSC.
Although the company agreed to the civil penalty, Lancaster Colony denies that the candles contain a defect that could create a substantial product hazard and that it violated the law.
Lancaster Colony recalled 3 million of the candles in October 1996. The original formulation Clearfire candles did not have a plastic cover over the top of the candle. For more information about the recall, consumers should call Candle-lite at (800) 543-0357.
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.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800