CPSC and Importers Announce Recall of Garments Made From a Flammable Fleece Fabric

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), importers Regent International and Tomen America, both of New York, N.Y., are announcing the recall of dangerously flammable garments made from a fleece-type fabric. Over 138,000 adults' garments, primarily tops, are involved in this recall.

The fabric, which fails to meet federal mandatory standards of fabric flammability, 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 is aware of one incident of a Regent top that ignited when exposed to a candle's flame, but no injuries resulted. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The fabric is a cotton-polyester blend material with a raised fiber surface. Its fleecy texture closely mimics that of an inside-out sweatshirt. This fabric is often called sherpa.

Regent International Recall

Regent International is recalling about 116,700 women's fleece garments, primarily tops in polo, crew, and tunic styles. Some jackets and pants are also included in this recall. The garments come in sage, peach, ivory, and gray and have two sewn-in labels, one that reads "Jason Maxwell" and the other that reads "Made in Turkey...RN 34570." The fiber content of the sage, peach, and ivory garments is 80% cotton 20% polyester, and the fiber content of the gray garments is 55% cotton 45% polyester.

The garments were sold nationwide mainly by J.C. Penney, although they were also sold by other retailers, including Petrie, Jean Nicole, Stuarts, Dayton's, Hudson's, and Marshall Fields. The garments were sold from October 1996 through January 1997 for about $20 to $40.

Link to CPSC's provisionally accepted settlement agreement with Regent.

Tomen America Recall

Tomen America is recalling about 21,400 men's fleece shirts. The shirts are long-sleeved henley-style pullovers with a five-button closure at the neck. The shirts come in navy, spruce green, olive green, natural, burgundy, and gray and have two sewn-in labels, one that reads "Fast" and the other that reads "Made in Korea...RN 57336." The fiber content of the shirts is 80% cotton/20% polyester.

The garments were sold nationwide by Ross Dress For Less. The garments were sold from July 1996 through January 1997 for about $10 to $20.

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 Jason Maxwell or Fast garments. For more information, consumers can call Regent International toll-free at (800) 536-1500 and Tomen America toll-free at (888) 287-2207.

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