FDA warns parents about contaminated teething rings

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Food and Drug Administration on
Thursday urged parents to stop giving their babies a
liquid-filled plastic teething ring made by The First Years, a
unit of RC2 Corp., that may be contaminated with bacteria.

Liquid in the teething rings could sicken infants if they
swallow or absorb it through a cut in the mouth, the FDA said.
The risk of illness is greatest for babies with immune systems
weakened by cancer, malnutrition or other health problems.

Last month, the Massachusetts-based company recalled more
than 350,000 teething rings linked to the contaminated liquid.

Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of FDA’s Center for Devices
and Radiological Health, said regulators were investigating
other products made by the company for possible contamination.

The teething rings were sold in the United States and
Canada between July 2005 and January 2006 at major retailers,
and grocery, drug and specialty stores. So far, the company has
received 105 complaints of fluid leakage and two reports of
babies biting through the rings, the FDA said.

Consumers who bought the recalled teething rings can go the
company’s Web site at http://www.thefirstyears.com for
information on how to return the items.

RC2 stock was down 54 cents, or 1.5 percent, at $34.70 per
share in afternoon trading.

The recalled teething rings were identified as:

* Disney Days of Hunny Soft Cool Ring Teether

* Disney Soft Cool Ring Teether, style #Y1470

* Disney Soft Cool Ring Teether, style #Y1490

* Sesame Beginnings Chill & Chew Teether, style #Y3095

* Cool Animal Teether, style #Y1473

* Floating Friend Teether, style #Y1474