The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·20093·Announced 2020-03-18

Belle Chemical Recalls Sodium and Potassium Hydroxide for Packaging Defects

Belle Chemical is recalling sodium and potassium hydroxide products because they lack required child-resistant packaging and proper hazard labeling.

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 hazardous chemicals with a risk of chemical burns and irritation, but the source explicitly states that no injuries have been reported, fitting the criteria for a high-risk product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Belle Chemical of Billings, Montana, is recalling approximately 103,000 units of sodium hydroxide (lye/caustic soda) and potassium hydroxide (caustic potash ash) products. The recall involves products sold in 4-ounce, 8-ounce, and 1-pound resealable bags. These chemicals are marketed for uses including soap making, cleaning, water treatment, food preparation, pH buffering, and metal dissolution.

The recall is due to the products' failure to meet the child-resistant packaging requirements of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) and violations of the Federal Hazardous Substance Act (FHSA) labeling requirements. Specifically, the packaging is not child-resistant, and the labels omit the word "poison" and mandatory hazard statements. These defects pose a risk of chemical burns and irritation to the skin and eyes, particularly for children. No injuries have been reported.

The products were sold from February 2017 through January 2020 for between $4 and $16 at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Ebay.com, Bonanza.com, Jet.com, Etsy.com, and Bellechemical.com. Consumers should immediately store the recalled products in a safe location out of reach of children and contact Belle Chemical for a free replacement child-resistant packaging and label.

The recalled product

Product
Sodium Hydroxide, Lye/Caustic Soda and Potassium Hydroxide, Caustic Potash Ash
Manufacturer
Belle Chemical, of Billings, Mont.
Category
Consumer Product — Chemicals
Hazard
Affected units
103,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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