Note: Distributor (Remco) is out of business.

Toxic Teether Recalled

PRODUCT: Scented teethers sold primarily at Dollar Bill Stores nationwide from November 1993 through May 1994. The teethers are hand or foot shapes in either pink or blue. The toes of the foot teether have pig faces and the fingers of the hand teether have smiling faces. The teethers were imported from China and distributed by Remco Toys Co./Azrak International, Inc.

PROBLEM: A substance in the teethers is reported by Remco to be toxic and an eye irritant to young children. No illnesses reported to date.

WHAT TO DO: Take the teethers away from young children immediately and return teethers to the stores where they were purchased for a refund. The distributor (Remco) is out of business and cannot be contacted.

Washington, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Remco Toys Co./Azrak-Hamway International, Inc., of New York, N.Y. is voluntarily recalling about 9,000 baby teethers that contain a substance reported by Remco to be toxic. The "Scented Teethers" were imported from China by Remco and sold primarily at Dollar Bill stores in the United States.

The scented teethers are hand and foot shapes in either pink or blue. Each teether has a hole in the center that serves as a handle. The foot teether has pig faces on each toe and is 4 1/2- inches long and 3 1/2-inches wide. The hand teether has smiling faces on each finger and is 4 1/2-inches long and 4 1/4-inches wide.

Testing by Remco found that a scent added during the manufacturing process is both toxic and an eye irritant. It is unclear at this point what the substance is, what the toxicity level is, or whether the amount of the substance in a single teether would be hazardous. Investigation into these issues is being conducted by CPSC.

Although no illnesses have been reported to date, CPSC and Remco are recalling the teethers to prevent the possibility of illness.

The teethers, which are $1.20 each, were sold under the name "T.P.I." primarily at Dollar Bill stores nationwide from November 1993 through May 1994. The words " AHI MADE IN CHINA" are embossed along the hole in the center of each teether. The front of the package in which the teethers were sold reads, in part, "CHILD GUIDANCE Scented Teether B771..." The back of the package reads, in part,"... 1993 REMCO BABY, a division of AZRAK- HAMWAY INT'L., INC. NY,NY. MADE IN CHINA."

Take the teethers away from young children immediately and return teethers to the stores where they were purchased for a refund. The distributor (Remco) is out of business and cannot be contacted.