American Greetings Corp. Recalls Sports Balls Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: DesignWare Sport Balls

Units: About 90,000 packages in the United States and 1,900 in Canada

Importer: American Greetings Corp., of Cleveland, Ohio

Hazard: The surface coating on the basketball contains excessive levels of lead, in violation of the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall involves DesignWare Sport Balls party favors. The package contains four mini sport balls: a basketball, a football, a baseball and a soccer ball. The model number is SPBL 1821 and is printed on the packaging.

Sold at: Various retailers in the U.S. and Canada from August 2004 through April 2009 for about $3.50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled sport balls away from children and contact American Greetings to receive a coupon for a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact American Greetings at (800) 777-4891 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ag.com

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