Barrels, Clowns and Bead Rattles Recalled by F.J. Strauss
Kids’ product recall 85-062. Announced by CPSC on Dec 5, 1985.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Dec 5, 1985. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Suffocation
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
Barrels, Clowns and Bead Rattles Recalled by F.J. Strauss NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 1985 Release # 85-062 Baby Toys Recalled Because Of Choking Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, F.J. STRAUSS CO., INC., North Bergen, New Jersey, today announced a voluntary recall of three styles of baby toys because of the danger of choking or suffocation to infants and young children. Since March of 1984, approximately 2,585 dozens of these baby toys have been sold for approximately $2.50 to $5.00 nationwide. These baby toys are banned under CPSC’s Small Parts and Rattle Requirements because they have parts which are small enough to lodge in an infant’s throat and cause obstruction of the airway. Neither CPSC nor Strauss knows of any injuries involving these toys. Three items are involved. One is style #29/2 “Big Barrel”, which was sold in a white package with a one piece red barrel on the outside. This toy has two pieces orange, green, white, yellow, blue and red barrels of various sizes that fit into each other. The firm had also marketed a later version of the style #29/2 “Big Barrel” which has five barrels and is not subject to this recall program. This later version was sold in a white package with three open barrels on the outside. The second style is identified as #29/5 “Magic Clown”. This toy is a plastic blue and yellow ball with a red colored clown figure sitting on top. The third style is identified as #29/7 “Big Bead Rattle”. This toy has six plastic ovals that are strung on a nylon string forming a loop connected to a white plastic handle. All three items were imported from Taiwan. Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and either discard them or return them to the retailer where purchased for a full refund. Retailers should remove these products from sale immediately and return them to F.J. STRAUSS CO., INC., 3900 West Side Avenue, North Bergen, New Jersey 07047. Anyone wishing additional information may contact F.J. Strauss Co., Inc. at (201) 864-0100 or CPSC’s toll free HOTLINE at the following numbers: (800) 638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing-impaired is (301) 595-7054.
Big Barrel baby toys, Big Bead Rattle baby toy and Magic Clown baby toy.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by F.J. Strauss.
- Made in Taiwan, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.