Hearth Record

Pencil Recall by Papel Freelance

Kids’ product recall 97-129. Announced by CPSC on May 22, 1997.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on May 22, 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?

Choking

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Which ones are recalled?

Pencil Recall by Papel Freelance NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ken Giles May 22, 1997 (301) 504-7052 Release # 97-129 CPSC, Papel Freelance Inc. Announce Recall WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Papel Freelance Inc. of Cranbury, N.J., is recalling about 28,000 pencils that have miniature pacifiers where erasers are normally found. These miniature pacifiers detach very easily from the pencils, presenting a choking hazard to young children. CPSC and Papel Freelance Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these pencils. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The wooden pencils, measuring 7 inches long, are available in pink and blue. The words “PAPEL/FREELANCE Taiwan” are printed on the side of the pencils. The pencils have miniature pacifiers where erasers are normally found. The pacifiers, measuring about 1.5 inches wide, are mostly cream in color. Various retail stores nationwide, including Winn Dixie and Hallmark, sold the pencils from September 1996 through April 1997 for about $2. Consumers should take these pencils away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call Papel Freelance Inc. at (800) 634-8384. CPSC learned of this problem from the State of Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection.

Papel/Freelance pencils.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by Winn Dixie.
  • Made by Hallmark.
  • Made by Papel Freelance.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.

Source:

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.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • 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.

Source:

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.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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