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Consumer product recall

Liquid-filled Teethers by Playgro and Nuby™

Starting date:
June 1, 2009
Posting date:
June 1, 2009
Type of communication:
Consumer Product Recall
Subcategory:
Childrens' Products, Toys
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Microbial Hazard
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-500002027

Affected products

Liquid-filled Teethers by Playgro and Nuby™

Product description

This recall involves the following three teether products:

  • Noah's Ark Toothy Teethers by Playgro: This teether is in the shape of a semi-circle, is made of soft plastic and contains liquid. The teething ring is attached to a plush Noah's Ark and there are three plush animals in the Ark. The recalled teether is identified by model number 111753 and PO# 28283; both of these numbers can be found on a tag on the back of the product.
  • Nuby™ Fun Pal Animal Teether by Luv n'Care: This multicoloured teether has a plush monkey, elephant, or frog-shaped head, 2 rubber arms and 2 rubber feet with fillings. The recalled teethers can be identified by model number 534731 and UPC 067988534736; the model number can be found on a tag on the back of the head.
  • Nuby™ Icy Bite Teether by Luv N' Care: These teethers are 3 rubber, gel-filled keys of various colours, attached to a plastic key chain with the name "Nuby" written on it. The recalled teethers can be identified by model number 534555 and UPC 06798853455.

Hazard identified

Health Canada requires that infant teether fillings must not contain any living micro-organisms. Testing by Health Canada of these 3 teether products has revealed that the liquid filling of the teether is contaminated with the bacteria Bacillus licheniformis (in the case of the Playgro teether) or Bacillus cereus (in the case of the Nuby teethers). These bacteria generally do not cause illness. However, the bacteria can affect children with weakened immune systems, causing stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, if the teether is punctured and the liquid from the teether is ingested.

Health Canada has received one complaint related to the Nuby™ Fun Pal teether, with no reported illnesses or injuries.

Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or illnesses related to the other two products (Noah's Ark Toothy Teether by Playgro and Nuby™ Icy Bite Teether).

For some tips to help consumers choose safe toys and to help them keep children safe when they play with toys, see: Health Canada's Toy Safety Tips.

Number sold

Approximately 7 365 of Playgro Toothy Teethers, 100 107 of the Icy Bite teethers, and 24 863 of the Fun Pal teethers were sold at various toy and variety stores nationwide.

Time period sold

The recalled products were sold from May 2008 to May 2009.

Place of origin

The Playgro Toothy Teether and Nuby™ Fun Pal Animal Teether were manufactured in China.

The Nuby™ Icy Bite Teether was manufactured in China.

Companies

Distributor
Elfe Juvenile Products
Montreal
Quebec
CANADA
Tel: 1-800-667-8184

Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)


What you should do

Consumers should immediately take the recalled teethers away from children.

Consumers should keep the recalled teethers until they have read the instructions on how to obtain a $10 credit certificate from Elfe Juvenile Products at the following web addresses:

For more information, consumers may contact Elfe at 1-800-667-8184.