Wal-Mart Recalls Charm Key Chains Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: "Hip Charm" Key Chains

Units: About 12,000

Distributor: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Importer: FGX International Inc., of Smithfield, R.I.

Hazard: The charms on the key chain can contain high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: The Illinois Attorney General informed Wal-Mart and CPSC on April 16, 2008, that the key chain was found in the home of a 9-month-old child who was discovered to have high blood-levels of lead. The child was observed mouthing this key chain.

Description: The recalled key chain has several charms including a button, clover, leaf, heart and a sand dollar. The charms hang from a silver-colored chain. The words “Hip charm” and UPC (#31568 11017) are printed on the product’s packaging.

Sold at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from April 2005 through April 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should not allow children to handle the key chain and return it to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.walmartstores.com