Utility Brand Sweat Shirts Recall by Target
Home product recall 97-087. Announced by CPSC on Mar 24, 1997.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Mar 24, 1997. 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?
Fire & Fire-Related Burn
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?
Utility Brand Sweat Shirts Recall by Target NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ken Giles March 24, 1997 (301) 504-7052 Release # 97-087 CPSC and Target Announce Recall of Flammable Sweat Shirts WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Target Stores of Minneapolis, Minn., is recalling about 106,000 fleece sweat shirts for men and boys sold under the brand name “UTILITY.” The fabric, which fails to meet federal mandatory standards of fabric flammability, may ignite readily and presents a serious risk of burn injuries in violation of the federal Flammable Fabrics Act. Fabrics that do not comply with the standard typically burn faster than newspaper. The fabric is a cotton-polyester blend material with a raised fiber surface. Its fleecy texture closely mimics that of an inside-out sweat shirt. This fabric is often called sherpa. The sweat shirts come in two styles: crew neck (with the word “UTILITY” embroidered at the left chest area) and zippered polo (with collar and 5-inch zipper closure at the neck). The sweat shirts come in a variety of sizes and colors, including gray, blue, green, and taupe. The sweat shirts have two sewn-in labels, one that reads “Wear anywhere UTILITY Quality Clothing” and the other that reads “Made in China...RN 17730.” Target Stores nationwide sold the sweat shirts from June 1996 through February 1997 for about $18 to $22. Consumers should immediately stop wearing these sweat shirts and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For additional information about this recall, consumers should call Target Stores collect at (612) 304-6000. Consumers can also call CPSC’s toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772. This recall does not extend to other “UTILITY” brand garments.
Utility men’s fleece sweatshirts.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Utility.
- Made by Target.
- Made in China, 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.