The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·00135·Announced 2000-06-29

Whitehall-Robins Recalls Baby Anbesol Teething Rings Due to Choking Risk

Whitehall-Robins Healthcare is recalling Baby Anbesol teething rings because they can trigger gagging and choking in infants. Consumers should remove the rings from infants immediately.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (choking/aspiration) where injury has not yet been reported as a confirmed medical outcome, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for theoretical or unconfirmed harm.

Plain-English summary

Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, of Madison, N.J., is recalling approximately 475,000 Baby Anbesol® Baby Teething Kits. The recall involves only the yellow, rabbit-shaped teething rings, which were sold with .25 oz. tubes of Baby Anbesol® Grape Gel. The rings are about 3 inches long and 2.25 inches high, with two holes molded for infants to grasp. The Baby Anbesol® Grape Gel is not part of the recall.

The teething rings pose a risk of vomiting, choking, and aspiration. When bent, the rings can fit into an infant's mouth and trigger a gagging reflex. Whitehall-Robins Healthcare has received two consumer reports of children gagging on the rings, including one report of a child starting to choke.

These kits were sold in mass merchandise, drug, and grocery stores nationwide from May 1999 through June 2000 for about $6. Consumers should take the teething rings away from infants immediately. To receive a free Anbesol® product, consumers can contact Whitehall-Robins Healthcare at (800) 525-2607 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company's website.

The recalled product

Product
Baby Anbesol® Baby Teething Kits
Manufacturer
Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, of Madison, N.J.
Category
Consumer Product — Baby Products
Hazard
Affected units
475,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · choking

See all →