CNN.com - Burger King recalls 400,000 kids' meal toys

From CNN's Julie Vallese

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A potential choking hazard has prompted the recall of 400,000 Burger King kids' meal toys.

	RESOURCE

The "Rattling, Paddling Riverboat" toy has metal pins with plastic caps that can come loose and pose a choking hazard, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall along with Burger King.

The fast-food chain said it has received 10 reports that the pin on the toy came out. In one case a child had the pin in her mouth, but it was removed by her father without incident. No children have been hurt by the defect.

The paddling riverboat toys are red plastic boats about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The captain figure squeaks when pushed. When moved across the floor, beads in the boat's paddle wheel makes a rattling sound.

Imprinted on the bottom are the words "Sassy, MFG FOR BURGER KING CORP, MADE IN CHINA." The packaging states the toy is intended for children younger than 3. Burger King distributed the toys inside kid's meals in January and February.

Parents can contact Burger King to receive a free replacement toy.

This is the sixth major fast-food toy recall since December 1999. All of the recalled toys pose the risk of suffocation or choking. All were made in China.

Earlier this month, the commission recalled more than 200,000 McDonald's Happy Meal "Scooter Bug" toys because the bugs' antenna can break off, posing a choking hazard for children. There were two reports of children gagging on the toy.

The "Scooter Bug" is about 3 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. The bug has a yellow face with red antennas, orange feet and a purple body with green spots.

Choking hazards

The toys were distributed from November 2000 through February 2001 in both the United States and Canada. Parents should return the toy to McDonald's for a free replacement.

In February, Chick-fil-A recalled 3.8 million "Planet Discovery" Kid's Meal toys because the suction cup may come off, posing a choking hazard. The toys were distributed at restaurants nationwide during January 1999 and again in January 2001.

The CPSC received seven reports of the suction cup coming off. In one case a child began choking, but the cup was removed before the child needed medical attention.

The toys depict the solar system with individual parts depicting planets, the moon, and the sun. They come in a plastic bag printed with the words, "Parents: this toy has been safety tested for children of all ages."

Printed on the toy is "Chick-fil-A Inc. 1999","1998 Namkung Promotions Inc" and "China."

A free replacement toy is available at Chick-fil-A.

KFC Corporation voluntarily recalled 425,000 of its Tangled Treeples toys in August 2000.

The green plastic container with small blue plastic animal figures inside was recalled because of a suffocation hazard. The bottom of the container can fit over a child's nose and mouth, a danger to children younger than 3.

The CPSC advised parents to take the container away from young children. Parents may return the toy to any KFC in exchange for any individual-sized side item on the menu.

A similar recall was issued in August 2000 for 310,000 Pasta Pals toys, distributed by Fazoli's Italian Restaurants. The toy is a plastic barrel- shaped container with small plastic tomato and ravioli figures. The bottom of the container can fit over a young child's nose and mouth, posing a possible suffocation hazard.

The Pasta Pals blue container is about 2.5 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. The toys were distributed from January 2000 through August 2000.

Parents are advised to discard the container or return it to any Fazoli's restaurant for a free Italian Lemon Ice.

Largest recall in '99

The largest fast-food toy recall came in December 1999 when Burger King recalled more than 25 million Pokemon balls that had been distributed with kids meals. The CPSC and Burger King said the balls posed a suffocation risk to small children.

A 4-month-old boy and a 13-month-old girl reportedly suffocated when half of a Pokemon ball covered the nose and mouth. The father of a toddler was able to save the girl after he pulled the ball half from her face.

The plastic balls pull apart and reveal various Pokemon toys. The balls came in a variety of colors and were distributed in kids meals from early November through December 1999.

Parents can return both halves of the Pokemon balls in exchange for a small order of french fries.

The CPSC, which is responsible for more than 15,000 products, says it is working with the fast-food industry on solutions to defects in toys mass-produced in short time frames.