First Years teethers recalled over infection fears



From the Web MD site today:

Infection Worry Spurs Teether Recall

Liquid Inside Baby Teethers Has Potential for Bacterial Contamination
By Brunilda Nazario, MD
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD
on Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Jan. 31, 2006 -- The FDA and The First Years, a subsidiary of RC2 Corporation, have announced a voluntary recall of liquid-filled infant teethers due to a possible bacterial contamination of the liquid inside.

The fluid inside the teethers may be contaminated with bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida. If the teether is punctured -- and the potentially contaminated liquid is ingested -- it can cause serious illness in children.

No illnesses have been reported so far. However, the bacteria have been known to cause serious respiratory, urinary, and blood infections.

A company news release says consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately.

The recall applies to six different styles of liquid-filled teethers for infants (at least 3 months old) and includes the following products:

* Disney Days of Hunny Soft Cool Ring Teether -- Style# Y1447
* Disney Soft Cool Ring Teether -- Style# Y1470
* Disney Soft Cool Ring Teether -- Style# Y1490
* The First Years Cool Animal Teether/Fish, Zebra, and Dinosaur designs -- Style# Y1473
* The First Years Floating Friends Teether -- Style# Y1474
* Sesame Beginnings Chill & Chew Teether -- Style# Y3095

All six teethers have the same general construction with a vinyl exterior and clear liquid prefilled inside. Some of the teethers have designs on the exterior while others have floating characters inside the liquid-filled teether.

The teethers have been sold nationwide from July 2005 to January 2006 for $2.99 to $3.99.

The First Years says consumers should put the teether in its current condition into a sealed plastic storage bag, place in an envelope, and return to: Parent Service Center, RC2/The First Years, 100 Technology Center Drive, Stoughton, MA 02072. Consumers should include their mailing address in the envelope to receive a replacement teether and gift.

For additional information and photos of the teethers, visit www.thefirstyears.comwww.thefirstyears.com. Or call The First Years Parent Service Center at (866) 725-4407.

The company's news release says adverse reactions experienced with the use of the product should also be reported to the FDA MedWatch Program by phone at (800) FDA-1088, by fax at (800) FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch web site at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Posted: Fri - February 10, 2006 at 10:44 AM          

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