The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·89067·Announced 1989-07-14

Hardee's Recalls Ghostbusters Promotional Toys Due to Choking Hazard

Hardee's is recalling Ghostbusters promotional toys because small parts may be swallowed by children. Consumers should return the items for a refund.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

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 choking hazard with reported ingestion incidents (15 reports) but no serious injuries, fitting the High severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. is voluntarily recalling promotional "Ghostblasters" toys in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These noisemaking toys, which feature the Ghostbusters logo and come in red, black, gray, and white, were distributed as a promotional tie-in with the movie in Hardee's restaurants. The recall is necessary because the toys contain small parts that may be swallowed by children if they become dislodged from the unit.

Approximately 2.8 million Ghostblasters were sold with a designated food purchase starting June 26, 1989. The promotion was scheduled to end on July 23, 1989. While at least 15 reports have been received of children ingesting the small batteries, neither Hardee's nor the CPSC is aware of any serious injuries resulting from the incident.

Hardee's is removing all remaining Ghostblasters from its restaurants and recalling previously sold units. Consumers who have these toys are advised to take them away from children under three years of age and return them to a Hardee's restaurant for a full refund of the purchase price. For questions, consumers may contact Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. via mail or their toll-free number.

The recalled product

Product
Ghostbusters movie toys
Manufacturer
Hardee's Food
Category
Consumer Product — Toys
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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