Children’s clothing sets sold at TJ Maxx, Amazon and other retailers have been recalled for lead paint

NewsForYouNow October 11, 2022

Children’s clothing sets sold at TJ Maxx, Amazon and other retailers have been recalled for lead paint

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December 2, 2022
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According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, children’s clothing made by Bentex has been recalled because of lead-based paint. The clothing sets feature Disney characters and have been sold nationwide at TJ Maxx, Ross, DD’s Discount, Burlington, Army & Airforce Exchange Service and other retail outlets, according to Bentex.

They were also sold on Amazon between November 2021 and August 2022.

About 87,000 units of the sets are being recalled as of November 23, according to the CPSC. Bentex produced several tops and leggings or short sets featuring nine different characters including Minnie Mouse and Baby Yoda. The designs are screen printed onto the clothing.

The kits contain levels of lead that exceed either the federal ban on lead paint or the federal ban on lead ingredients, which poses a lead poisoning hazard, the CPSC warns.

If ingested, lead causes adverse health effects. According to the World Health Organization, high exposure can damage the brain and central nervous system, leading to coma, convulsions, and even death. Low concentrations can cause injuries without obvious symptoms.

Children who suffer lead poisoning can develop intellectual and behavioral disabilities that are thought to be irreversible, and experience anemia, reproductive toxicity, and other health problems.

Lead was once commonly found in paint, but lead-based paint was banned for residential use in the United States in 1978. However, homes built in the US before 1978 could still have lead paint, according to the CDC.

Bentex said in an Instagram post it encourages customers who bought the clothes to stop using the garments immediately and contact the company. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you and appreciate your understanding on this matter,” the company’s post read.

The Safety Commission also announced that a brand of sippy cups was recalled on November 23. Green Sprout’s stainless steel straw bottles, sippy cups, and “sippy and straw cups” have been recalled because the base can break off and lead may be exposed to the child.

Both recalls come shortly after the release of a report on recalled products by the US Public Interest Research Groups, a group of nonprofit organizations dedicated to consumer protection. The report found that in many cases recalled toys are still available for purchase months, weeks or even years after they were supposed to be removed from online sellers and stores.

“The high number of recalled products shows not only that the CPSC is actively looking for unsafe products, but also that more dangerous products are available for sale – including children’s products that are being recalled for lead – a toxic substance that has been banned since the 1970s is,” Dev Gowda, associate director of product safety nonprofit Kids In Danger, said in a press release about the report.

CBS News has contacted Bentex and Green Sprouts for more information and is awaiting a response. According to the commission, customers who purchased these products from Green Sprouts and Bentex will receive a refund.