U.S.

Cute, Cuddly And Dangerous

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

July 11, 2001 / 8:50 AM EDT / CBS

Beware toy stuffed kittens and doll infant feeding sets.

Both have been recalled by their manufacturers and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The 238,000 stuffed toy kittens, made by DSI Toys of Houston, contain contaminated water that could make children sick, although DSI Toys has received no reports of illness, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

Imperial Toy Corp. of Los Angeles is recalling 100,000 toy feeding sets because the nipple on a toy baby bottle can come off, posing a choking hazard to small children.

Again, no injuries have been reported.

The plastic toy feeding set includes a baby bottle, a plastic dish and various utensils. The sets were sold in colors including blue, yellow, pink and purple. The packaging reads, "CUDDLES FEEDING SET" or "CUDDLES MEAL TIME." The packaging also reads, "Imperial," and "NO. 8327."

The "Kitty Kitty Kittens" are about 12 inches long and make a purring noise when petted on the head.

The water, which is used as a filling to make the toy seem more lifelike, is contaminated with a bacteria that can cause diarrhea in children who are already sick or have weakened immune systems, commission spokesman Mark Ross said. The company discovered the contamination during regular testing, he said.

The toys come in six models: Buttons, Tiger, Calico, Mittens, Tawny and Fluffy. The kitten's name and item number, "16400," are printed on a tag attached to its ear. A tag attached to the toy reads, "DSI TOYS, INC." and "MADE IN CHINA."

Stores nationwide sold the kitten toys from September 2000 through May 2001 for between $10 and $13.

Parents and caregivers should take the toys away from children immediately. Consumers can call DSI Toys toll-free at 1-800-628-8882 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday to receive a free replacement.

Ben Franklin, Revco and other discount stores nationwide sold the toy feeding sets from October 1995 through May 2001 for about $2.

Consumers should return the toy set to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers can call the company toll-free at 1-800-543-6551 between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.