Regal Recalls 1.4 Million Food Processor Bowl Covers

Regal is alerting owners to the potential failure of the product's safety interlock system. When this occurs, the machine can operate without the bowl cover in place. This could cause severe lacerations to the hands and fingers, or even partial finger amputations, should the user push the "on" button when the hand is in the bowl and in contact with the machine's cutting blades.

The firm has received 17 reports of finger or hand lacerations, and 4 reports of partial finger amputations, from 1982 to February, 1986. These incidents reportedly have resulted from the use of the machine.

Regal Appliance Inc., is offering to replace the original bowl cover on affected machines with a new bowl cover. The new bowl cover is designed to reduce the chance that an operator will accidentally force the cover off of the machine and defeat the interlock.

Owners of La Machine II, III, or V food processors can determine if their unit is recalled by checking the bottom for the stamped model numbers LM2, LM3, or LM5, and for a date code from 010380 to 080684. The six digit date code is in day, month, and year sequence. Owners of JC Penney food processors should check the bottom of their unit for the stamped model number 8330 and for a date code from COO3 to C406. The first digit of the C number represents the year and the last two digits represent the month. Only units with the listed model numbers and date codes have bowl covers subject to recall. Food processors made after June 8, 1984, including all La Machine I (LMl model) units, are not subject to the recall.

Regal advises owners of recalled food processors to discontinue use of their machine until a replacement bowl cover is received. The original bowl cover should be disposed of. To get the replacement, owners should write to the Bowl Cover Replacement Program, Regal Appliance Inc., 2820 Crusader Circle, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456. The letter must include the name and address of the owner and the model and date code numbers of the machine. The company will promptly return the new replacement bowl cover to the owner, free of charge, with a warning instruction sheet.

The La Machine and JC Penney food processors were sold nationwide by a variety of retailers and by the JC Penney Co. since March, 1980, for about $50 to $100.

Consumers who have questions or need more information should write to Regal Appliance Inc., at the listed address, and outside Virginia may call Regal's toll-free number at 800-624-7317, In Virginia, consumers may call the company collect at 804-468-3500.