CPSC And Excelex Announce Ammonia Recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Excelex Corporation of Dallas, Tex., is recalling 3,608 mislabeled bottles of a product labeled as "Better Valu Clear Ammonia." The product is a misbranded hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The recalled bottles actually contain bleach. If the bleach is accidentally mixed with ammonia or acid, irritating or toxic gases could be produced.

The product is packaged in 64-fluid oz. containers made of white, opaque plastic, labeled in part, "Better Valu***Clear Ammonia***64 FL. OZ 2QTS.) *** 79801 98767 *** E15295 *** PACKED FOR FEDERATED FOODS, INC. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005-1096 ***." The bleach sold for about $1 between June 1 and August 23, 1995 at Brookshires retail grocery stores and independent retail outlets serviced by Brookshires Brothers, Fleming El Paso and Hale Halsell in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Only bottles labeled as "Ammonia" with the 10 digit bar code "79801 98767" and 10 digit batch code beginning with "E15295****" are affected by this recall.

Consumers should stop using the product in these containers immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers should call The Excelex Corporation toll free at (800) 852-4108 for more information.

Excelex and CPSC are aware of one incident in which a consumer mixed the contents of one of the mislabeled bottles with ammonia, producing a harmful gas. Excelex initiated this recall at CPSC's request.