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Today's Consumer: News you can use

By United Press International
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'SNUGGLE' BEARS RECALLED

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA of Greenwich, Conn., has recalled 4 million plush "Snuggle" bears because the eyes and noses can come off, posing a choking hazard for young children.

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The company said it had received 32 reports of incidents, including three where children put the pieces in their mouths. No injuries were reported.

The cream-colored bears came in 5-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch sizes in four styles: Pajama Bear, Nightcap Bear, Purple Blanket Bear and Pink Blanket Bear. They were made in China.

The 5- and 8-inch bears were sold nationwide by grocery and discount department stores between May 1999 and July 2001. Pajama and Nightcap bears also were given away free for two proofs of purchase from Snuggle fabric softener last November and December. The 10-inch bears were distributed from May 1997 through May 1998 to consumers who sent in proof of purchase and up to $4.

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Consumers are advised to take the bears away from young children immediately and contact Unilever Home and Personal Care for information on how to receive a coupon for free Snuggle fabric softener. For more information, they can call Unilever toll-free at (800) 896-9479 or visit the company's Web site at Snuggletime.com.

No other Snuggle Bears are involved in this recall. Last May, Unilever Home and Personal Care recalled the Nightcap Bears because the yellow pompom on the nightcap can detach, posing a choking hazard. Consumers were asked to remove the pompom.


PEDAL CARS RECALLED

Alpha International Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has recalled 75,000 pedal cars because the paint on them contains high levels of lead, posing a lead poisoning hazard.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission bans toys and other children's products containing high levels of lead. Young children could ingest the lead from the car's paint coating, presenting a lead poisoning hazard. Alpha International, also known as Gearbox Pedal Car Co., said it is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure. No injuries have been reported.

The cars were produced in 17 models -- including fire trucks, police cars and sedans. The model names of the fire truck are "Fire Truck," "John Deere" and "Texaco." The police car model names are "NYPD," "Chicago Police," "Highway Patrol" and "EMERGENCY 911." The sedan model names are "Champion" (pink or blue), "Texaco," "John Deere," "Citgo," "Raley's Coca-Cola," "Raley's Keebler," and "Red Lion."

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All are made of metal and come in a variety of colors with the "Gearbox" logo on the seat back, hubcaps and/or the pedals.

Department, toy and specialty-collectible stores sold the cars from November 1999 through January for $100 to $500, while Raley's supermarkets sold a special "Raley's" model between July and December 2002.

Consumers are advised to take the cars away from young children immediately and return the cars to the place of purchase for a full refund. Or they can call Alpha International toll-free at (800) 368-6367 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday about receiving a free replacement car.


KIDS' BOOKS RECALLED

Random House of New York has recalled 39,000 copies of "Monsters in the Closet" children's board books because the snap that secures the book can detach, posing a choking hazard for young children.

The recall is being conducted as a precaution. No injuries have been reported.

The books were printed in both English and Spanish and were sold by book and specialty stores nationwide, as well as online, between October and January for about $8.

Consumers are advised to cut off the snap from the books and mail it to Tri-State, c/o Marie Corsello, 325 Rabro Drive, Hauppaugue, N.Y., 11788, for a free replacement book. For more information, they can call Random House toll-free at (800) 493-0009 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the publisher's Web site at randomhouse.com.

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FOOD RECALLS

-- Anhing Corp. of Los Angeles has recalled its 8.8-ounce packages of Caravelle preserved ginger slices because they contain sulfites not declared on the ingredient label, posing an allergy risk to certain individuals. The sliced ginger was distributed to retail stores nationwide. No illnesses have been linked to the ginger but importation of the product has been suspended until the company is convinced the labeling problem has been fixed. Consumers are advised to return the ginger to place of purchase for replacement or refund. For more information, they can call (323) 221-8003.

-- Tommy's Quality Meats Inc. of San Diego has recalled 200 pounds of chopped ham because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The ham was packaged in 10-pound bags, which in turn were put into 50-pound cases, both carrying establishment No. 4150 inside the USDA seal. The produced was produced Feb. 12 and the problem was discovered through routine testing by the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service, which said it has received no reports of illnesses linked to the chopped ham. For more information, consumers can call (619) 233-5753.

-- The Save-A-Lot retail store in Wyandotte, Mich., has recalled 300 pounds of fresh ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled ground chuck was produced Feb 13 and packaged in various sizes. The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS said it has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. For more information, consumers may call (314) 592-9614.

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