Baby Rashes Prompt Clothing Warning

400 Reports Of Rashes Tied To Carters Baby Garments With Tag-Less Labels; No Recall Announced

(AP)  The government is warning parents about Carter's Inc. baby garments with tag-less labels after about 400 babies who wore the clothing developed rashes on their backs.

The warning applies to the fall 2007 line, which includes about 110 million garments, said Mary Drayna, a manager for the Atlanta company. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday that children should stop using these garments if they develop a rash, but the agency did not announce a recall of the product line.

Drayna said the affected clothing includes knit items such as body suits, shirts and pajamas. She said the items have prompted about 400 reports of baby rashes, but she could not comment on how serious any of the rashes were or if any required hospital visits.

The garments were made in various foreign countries, and they were sold at Carter's retail stores and at department and national chain stores, according to CPSC. The clothing appeared on the market in the fall of 2007 and could still be on retail shelves, although Carter's has released other products since then, Drayna said.

The company's online announcement said it had received reports that some babies with sensitive skin could be allergic to the heat-transferred, or tag-less, labels used in baby clothing.

"It appears that a very small percentage of children can be allergic to one or more ingredients in the labels. The solid, rather than stenciled, background on the fall 2007 labels appears to have produced a more pronounced and noticeable reaction among those children who are most allergic to the ink," the announcement said.

Also, the company's internal review of the product found "no indication that the labels contain any known skin irritants or abrasive chemicals, or that such a rash is anything beyond a rare allergic reaction to an otherwise safe product."

For more information, consumers can call [phone] or visit the Carters Web site.

[paulaqqq]

I had tried several baby lotion found in generic supermarkets and stores and I remember I liked them until I did research on how many chemicals are in them. I dont want those chemicals on my baby's skin!!

I use the Made from Earth skincare products now for my kid - specifically the Lavender Calm lotion. I am loving it because it does not have a penetrating scent...any lotions that smell too strong like fragrence have too much perfumes makes me wonder about the hypoallergenic claim. Since Made from Earth doesnt use chemicals or fragrances all their stuff is hypoallergetic...go for the Lavender Calm lotion if you are looking for a great Non Toxic baby lotion. . .

[marmalada-2009]

My child is one of the ones who gets a rash from Carter''s labels. I complained to Carter months ago and sent them pictures of the rash and returned examples of the clothes that caused it. This is not due to first time wear of the clothes prior to washing it. I always washed clothes before first time wear. The only thing I did that worked was sewing two layers of cotton cloth over the label. Then my son was able to wear the clothes safely. If you would like me to send you a picture of how this can irritate a babies skin, please just e-mail me at [e-mail]. I will send you a picture of my son''s back after wearing Carter''s clothes.

[swingset4u]

Maybe the tag ought to read something like this: It''s from CHINA!

[barbaram99]

Did the parents wash the new clothes before the children put them on..I WASH new things before weaering..Gents they have tagless t shirts.

[yongamerica]

those heat transfer tags are itchy and uncomfortable even to adults,

Industry''s idea: Let''s take a stiff piece of plastic and melt it into the fabric on a spot that will rub and chaff waist lines and the backs of necks.

[tngreen]

It''s difficult for individual shoppers to have an impact on this problem. Even if you are lucky enough to find a garment that purports to be made in the USA, odds are that it was made in Saipan, a U.S. territory, where boatloads of young Chinese women work in de facto indentured servitude. It is up to our GOVERNMENT to take measures to ensure that our products are safe for consumers and good for workers. But that would require an unseemly regulation of industry, now wouldn''t it? Wouldn''t want to put too much of a burden on the poor business sector. Much better to make our children sick with toxic toys and clothes.

[christimari1]

Of course, these were imports. Carter, like other multinationals, looks for the cheapest places on earth that they can have their products made. They then expect the American public to buy this trash. Don''t put your baby''s health at risk. Boycott all products that are not "Made in USA".