The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·12090·Announced 2012-01-23

Travelin' Chef Food Carriers Recalled Due to Gel Pack Ingestion Hazard

California Innovations is recalling Travelin' Chef food carriers because freezer gel packs may leak toxic chemicals. Consumers should stop using the gel packs and dispose of them properly.

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 (toxic gel ingestion) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

California Innovations Inc. is recalling approximately 55,000 Travelin' Chef Expandable Thermal Food Carrier sets. The recall is due to a hazard where the included freezer gel packs may leak a gel containing diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. If ingested by children or adults, this gel poses a poisoning hazard.

The recalled product is a four-piece set including a light blue thermal carrier, two plastic food containers, and a freezer gel pack. The thermal carrier features the code "1-38018-69-07" on a white label inside the main compartment. The gel pack is an 8.5-inch by 8-inch opaque blue plastic pouch labeled "Cryofreeze" and "Ice Pack/Hot Pack." The products were sold at Walmart between August 2008 and December 2011 for about $22.

No injuries have been reported. Consumers should immediately stop using the gel packs and dispose of them according to federal, state, and local regulations. It is recommended to contact local waste disposal authorities for instructions. Consumers may also return the gel pack to Walmart for a $6 refund or contact California Innovations customer service at (800) 722-2545 for the same refund.

The recalled product

Product
Travelin' Chef Expandable Thermal Food Carrier
Affected units
55,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Same manufacturer · California Innovations Inc., of Toronto, Canada

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