Lead toxin concerns spur recall of toddler sippy cups
Parents whose toddlers use certain Green Sprouts bottles or cups need to discard them immediately because of a risk of lead exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.
When the base of the cups come apart, it exposes a solder dot that contains lead, according to a CPSC news release.
"Lead is toxic if ingested by young children, and can cause adverse health effects," the commission said.
A Green Sprouts recall affects about 10,500 cups sold in 6- and 8-ounce sizes with tracking numbers 29218V06985, 35719V06985, and 33020V06985 in the bottom of the base. The cups were sold at Buy Buy Baby and Whole Foods stores, as well as online at Amazon, Buy Buy Baby and Bed Bath & Beyond from January 2020 through September 2022.
"There is negligible risk to the health and safety of users. We are undertaking the costs and challenges of this recall voluntarily because our customers' health and safety must come first," Green Sprouts said on its website.
While no one has reported an injury from the cups, they have broken, exposing the lead. The company knows of seven incidents where the base broke, the commission said.
The portion of the cup that contains the lead wasn't tested in a safety lab because it wasn't meant to be exposed under normal use, The New York Times reported.
"As we approach the redesign of these products, whose benefits for keeping drinks cold safely have made them a popular choice for parents, we will ensure that lead is not used as a soldering material, no matter whether it would be accessible," Green Sprouts said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said high levels of lead exposure can cause neurological and behavioral issues, as well as coma, convulsions and death in children.
"Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with intellectual disability and behavioral disorders," WHO said.
The company is directly contacting consumers it knows purchased the product. If you have a Green Sprouts cup or bottle, you can contact the company for a refund. Call 800-876-1574 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email Green Sprouts at ContactUs@GreenSprouts.com. To see the company's statement, click here.
The lid and spout from the product can still be safely used with other Green Sprouts cups and bottles, the company said.
More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on lead exposure.
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