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CPSC Recalls Children's Sweatshirts

A government crackdown on children’s apparel that poses a choking hazard continued last week when regulators recalled more than 7,800 hooded sweatshirts.

A government crackdown on children’s apparel that poses a choking hazard continued last week when regulators recalled more than 7,800 hooded sweatshirts. Both kids’ items featured neck-area drawstrings, which are prohibited by federal regulation because of the strangulation risk they present.

The products involved in the recall were the Boys Fission Zipper Hooded Sweatshirt imported from Pakistan by Mira Loma, CA-based Active Apparel and the Pure Baby Organic Boy’s Hoodie imported from China by LA-based Chantique’s Corp. Neither company is an ASI-listed supplier. No injuries were reported in connection with either of the recalled products.

“Consumers should immediately take the hoodie(s) away from children,” reads a statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which issued the recalls. “Consumers can remove the drawstring from the garment to eliminate the hazard or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.” Those who return the Fission hoodie will receive a $10 gift card in addition to a refund, regulators say.

With approximately 7,800 units in circulation, the Fission hoodie was sold for about $18 in Fred Meyer and Kroger stores nationwide from June 2014 through August 2014. Available in black, green, royal blue, true red and turquoise colors, the sweatshirts have a white drawstring tie that is attached on each side of the neck area. On the label, it states Karachi Pakistan, Active Apparel, has the manufacture date “MAY, 2014,” and batch number 61271,159.

Meanwhile, regulators say that Baby Organic Boy’s Hoodies were sold for $62 at children’s boutiques nationwide and at other stores such as Elephant Ears, Pumpkinheads, Sprouts. Available from January through August of this year, approximately 60 of the sweatshirts are in circulation. The product comes in solid gray with a red drawstring that is inside the lining of the hood that surrounds the face. A label with style number PB1613.B12 is sewn into an inside side seam of the garment under the washing instruction label.

In February, the CPSC recalled a set of girls’ jackets that were sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Cookie’s Department Stores, and Kids Stop stores. The products in question were deemed hazardous because they had a band of material around the neck area that could cause choking. Just two months before that, regulators recalled children’s sweatshirts branded by retailer Little Willy’s because of neck drawstrings. The moves have continued a crackdown by the CPSC on what it deems as dangerous children’s outerwear, which shouldn’t contain any drawstrings around the neck areas.

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