| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| November 3, 1982 | |
| Release # 82-046 | |
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that McDonald's Corporation of Oakbrook, Illinois, has voluntarily stopped further Playmobil toy promotion and distribution as of November 1st. McDonald's made this decision immediately after learning that recent tests showed the Playmobil toys failed to comply with CPSC's regulation designed to prevent choking hazards to children under three. The Playmobil toys, which are manufactured by the Schaper Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, have not been involved in any known choking incidents.
Five toys were to be distributed nationwide through approximately 5,800 McDonald's restaurants. The five toys included a Sheriff, Indian, Sheriff's Horse, Umbrella Girl and Farmer. Approximately 10 million of the Sheriff and Indian Playmobil toys in this promotion were actually distributed from October 22nd through November 1st. The plastic toy figures have movable parts and are accompanied by various plastic accessories.
Consumers with children under three who received these Playmobil toys should discontinue their use and return the toys to a McDonald's restaurant in exchange for a box of McDonald's cookies, a cone or a refund.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
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