February 05, 2004

By: Adam Jackson
Website: http://www.1st-in-kitchens.com

Starbucks Coffee Co. Announce Recall of Children's Tumbler Cups

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling approximately 38,000 plastic Bearista Bear tumbler cups. When the flexible straw on the cups is chewed, small pieces of plastic can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Starbucks has received two reports of pieces of the straws becoming detached in the children's mouths. No injuries have been reported; however, in one instance, a child reportedly began to choke on a detached piece of the straw and the Heimlich Maneuver was administered by the parent to remove the small piece.

The tumbler cup is constructed of translucent plastic in the shape of a bear with the words Bearista Bear printed on the front. The cup was sold in both blue and green. The cup has a screw-on lid in the shape of a bear's head, from which a soft, flexible straw protrudes. The product's lid can rotate such that the straw attachment can be bent (closed) to prevent liquid from leaking out.

Starbucks stores in the United States, Canada and Taiwan sold the recalled cups from April 2003 through May 2003.

Parents and caregivers should stop young children from using these cups immediately, and return the cups to any Starbucks location for a refund and a free beverage of any size. For more information, consumers should contact Starbucks Customer Relations at (800) 235-2883.

About The Author:

Adam Jackson is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kitchens.com.  Everything for your kitchen to make it look great and make cooking a whole lot easier.