CPSC, Charming Shoppes Inc. Announce Recall of Necklaces

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Charming Shoppes Inc. of Bensalem, Penn., is voluntarily recalling about 4,800 metallic heart-shaped medallion necklaces that contain high levels of lead. CPSC regulations ban children's products containing high levels of lead due to the risk of lead poisoning resulting from contact with these products. Young children might get lead on their hands and then put their hands in their mouth or swallow lead directly from the necklace.

Charming Shoppes Inc. has not received any reports of illness or injury. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The necklaces are included as an accessory with a blouse- and-pant set. The necklaces have a heart-shaped silver-colored medallion on a dark blue string. The medallion is embossed with daisies. The necklace, including the medallion, is 14 1/2 inches in length. The pant-and-blouse set is a pink heart print available in sizes 4 through 6X.

The clothing and necklace sets were sold nationwide through Fashion Bug stores from October 1996 through January 1997 for about $15 to $20.

Consumers should take these necklaces away from young children immediately and return the necklaces to any Fashion Bug store for a replacement lead-free necklace. For more information about this recall, consumers should call Charming Shoppes Inc. at (800) 478-2918.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.

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