CPSC, Multiple Firms Announce Recall of Children's Toy Jewelry

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC), three firms are voluntarily recalling nearly 42,000 sets of children's toy jewelry. The necklaces and bracelets involved in this recall can break, releasing small beads that pose a choking and aspiration hazard to children under three years of age.

CPSC and the firms involved in the recall are not aware of any injuries involving the toy jewelry. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

A. A. of America Inc. of East Brunswick, N.J., is recalling more than 5,300 sets of 12 bracelets packaged as party favors. The bracelets' beads are in various shapes, including disks, hearts and flowers, and are strung on elastic string. The label on the cardboard header reads in part "FUN TIME PARTY FAVORS, MADE IN CHINA." In a purple box on the left side of the cardboard header is an illustration of children sitting around a table for a party.

Almar Sales Co. Inc. of New York, N.Y., is recalling more than 8,600 matching children's necklace and bracelet sets with plastic beads strung on elastic string. The beads are in various shapes, including balls, hearts, smiley faces and teddy bears. The mostly white hang tag has outlines of different-colored flowers. "Expressions BY ALMAR" is written in pink on the tag, and "FUNWEAR JEWELRY" is written in blue. A set will bear one of the following item numbers: NB110, NB112, NB124, NB129 or NB137. Mermaid International Inc. of New York, N.Y., is recalling about 28,000 matching toy necklace and bracelet sets. The three sets include pastel beads with hearts, multicolored beads and silver disks with bows, and beads with fish and cubes. All beads and shapes are strung on elastic string. The sets are held together by a cardboard wrapper that reads in part, "... MERMAID ... Kiddie Necklace Bracelet Set." Each set bears the item number NB2490, NB2491, NB2492 or NB2493.

All these toys were sold in children's, dollar-type and discount stores nationwide through March 5, 1997 for about $1. Consumers should take the toy jewelry sets away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call A. A. of America Inc. at (732) 613-8555 (collect), Almar Sales Co. Inc. at (800) 251-2522 and Mermaid International Inc. at (800) 876-7581 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.