Pure Fishing Games Recall

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has the responsibility of defining products that could be hazardous to the health or safety of the user. All consumer products come under its jurisdiction, both to set standards and to identify when those standards have not been met. For example, the CPSC routinely tests children’s toys and games for levels of lead in the paint. When a product fails because the lead content level is too high, the product is recalled. This is the case in the recall of the Shakespeare Casting Game & Fishing Kit distributed by Pure Fishing Inc. headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.

Product Description

The Shakespeare Casting Game and Fishing Kit is a children’s toy that consists of a child-sized red and blue rod and reel constructed of plastic. The targets and the ‘hook’ are made of red foam. The fun of the game is to catch the foam target fish with the kid-safe hook. The 2′ 6″ rod can also be used to catch real fish. The cost of the games was in the $15 range. The casting game helps the child to develop eye-hand coordination in a game format. The practice will help during actual casting efforts when the child begins fishing for real.

Hazardous Games

There is a label on the fishing rod which contains the hazardous levels of lead. The label reads “Casting Fun.” It is actually the coating on the label that is the offending part of the product. Because the lead content is the dangerous aspect of the label, the CPSC, in cooperation with Pure Fishing Inc is recalling the fishing rod. The games were manufactured in China. The recall was issued in March of 2009. The recall was initiated in order to remove this product from contact with children who are more susceptible to the harmful results of contact with lead. The danger of lead poisoning is very real and can cause symptoms that last throughout the entire lifetime.

Availability of the Games

Approximately 2600 of the games were distributed in the United States during the period November 2008 through January 2009. The toys are distributed through specialty fishing outlets nationwide. The Fishing Games were even distributed as prizes in such events as the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Kid’s n’ Fishing Photo Contest. Although there are not as many units of this game that have reached the consumer, it is a more specialized toy and had been on the market for less time than some of the more sizable product recalls.

Remedial Actions

As with any product where a recall is being initiated, the first action is to remove the offending item–in this case the fishing rod with the label high in lead content–from the child.

• Benjamin International Recalls Pendants and Candle Charms: Risk of Lead Exposure – Lead Recall
• CBB Group Recalls Various Toys Due to Choking Hazard & Lead Paint Standard Violation – Lead Recall
• Children’s Sketchbooks by eeBoo Corp – Lead Recall
• Children’s Sunglasses by Axiom – Lead Recall
• Children’s Flip Flops Violate Lead in Paint Standard – Lead Recall
• Coyne’s & Company Recall Halloween Figurines: Lead Hazard Detected – Lead Recall
• Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy Recall Golfer’s Billiards Games – Lead Recall
• Disney Store ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Sleeping Bags – Lead Recall
• Educational Craft Kits by FloraCraft – Lead Recall
• Fantas Eyes Recalls High School Musical Kits: Risk of Lead Exposure – Lead Recall
• Girl’s Shoes Recalled by Nordstrom: Lead Paint Standard Violated – Lead Recall
• Harry Potter Bookends by Giftco – Lead Recall
• High School Musical Manicure Kit Pouch by Fantas-Eyes – Lead Recall
• J C Penney Deluxe Art Sets – Lead Recall
• Markwins Beauty Products Lip Gloss Keychains – Lead Recall
• Munire ‘Newport Rubbed Black’ Cribs and Matching Furniture Pieces – Lead Recall
• Paint Brushes Recalled by Discount School Supply: Violate Lead Paint Standard – Lead Recall
• Pronto Sports Recall Ice Skates: Lead Paints Standard Violated – Lead Recall
• Pure Fishing Games Recall – Lead Recall
• Seasonal Writing Pens Distributed by Michaels Stores – Lead Recall
• United Scientific Horseshoe Magnets – Lead Recall
• Water Bottles Recalled by Downeast Concepts Inc.: Violation of Lead Paint Standard – Lead Recall