Children's Carry-All Bags And Backpacks Recalled By Jaclyn, Inc.

PRODUCT: Approximately 650,000 carry-all bags and backpacks with the insignia of Barney(R) or Baby Bop(TM) and three styles of vinyl beach bags that have beach scenes with children or cats printed on them. Some of the products were sold with sunglasses. All of the products sold are intended for young children.

PROBLEM: These bags are being recalled because the surface coating on the zipper pull and inks used to form the insignia of Barney(R) and Baby Bop(TM) in some manufacturing lots were found to contain excess lead. Additionally, some of the accessory sunglasses do not meet shatter-proof lens tests, and the lenses could crack.

WHAT TO DO: Discontinue use of all the items immediately and mail to: Jaclyn, Inc., c/o SPF, 415 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ 07470. For assistance consumers may call 1-800-447-9279.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jaclyn, Inc. of West New York, NJ is voluntarily recalling all of its carry-all bags and backpacks for young children with the insignia of Barney(R) or Baby Bop(TM). The firm is also recalling three styles of children's vinyl beach bags that do not feature Barney(R) or Baby Bop(TM); the beach bags have beach scenes with children or cats printed on them. Certain styles of Barney(R) bags, as well as the vinyl beach bags, were sold with sunglasses.

The bags are being recalled because the surface coating on the zipper pull and inks used to form the insignia of Barney(R) and Baby Bop(TM) in some manufacturing lots were found to contain excess lead. Additionally, some of the accessory sunglasses do not meet shatter-proof lens tests, and the lenses could crack.

Although only a portion of the Barney(R) and Baby Bop(TM) items made by Jaclyn are affected, the entire Barney(R) and Baby Bop(TM) product line is being recalled. The model numbers of the recalled Barney(R) and Baby Bop(TM) bags are: 4301 through 4309, 4350 through 4353, 3342, 3343 and 3370. Affected Barney(R) and Baby Bop(TM) bags include tote bags, shoulder bags and small handbags, as well as "fanny" packs and backpacks. The model numbers of the vinyl beach bags with children or cat scenes are: 3312, 3315 and 3371. Pictures of the recalled bags will be posted at all retail stores where they were sold.

Both the vinyl beach bags and the Barney(R) and Baby Bop(TM) bags and backpacks were sold nationwide from October 1992 to March 1993. Retail prices ranged from $5.00 to $31.50 each. A total of approximately 650,000 bags were sold. Some of the retailers of the bags include Kay-Bee Toys, Kids-R-Us, Toys R-Us, Payless Shoe Source, Belk, Hills Department Stores, Sears, A&S, Bloomingdales, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Boscov's, Burdine's, Caldor, Carter Hawley Hale, Macy's and McCrory's.

Jaclyn has asked all retailers to remove the recalled products from the shelves and return them to the company. Jaclyn voluntarily notified the CPSC and the FDA of the problems. While no incidents of illness or injuries have been reported, the company decided to recall the products promptly to prevent such a possibility.

Consumers who have any of the recalled items should discontinue use immediately and return them to Jaclyn to receive a free preselected replacement item that meets or exceeds all Federal safety standards and looks identical or similar and is of equal or greater value. Consumers should return the recalled items by mailing them to: Jaclyn, c/o SPF, 415 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ 07470. For assistance in identifying the recalled products or with questions about the recall consumers may call 1-800-447-9279.

The sunglasses that were sold with some of the bags, may be used separately. Consumers are urged to make sure to retrieve the glasses and return them along with the bags. EDITOR'S NOTE: Media inquiries should be directed to: Howard J. Rubenstein Associates, Inc., Public Relations. Telephone: 212-489-6900. Contacts: Shelley T. Campbell (weekend phone number is 518-766-5238); Marcia Horowitz (weekend phone number is 914-725-2002; or Howard J. Rubenstein.