Child’s Novelty Purses Recalled by Payless ShoeSource
Kids’ product recall 98-111. Announced by CPSC on May 18, 1998.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on May 18, 1998. 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?
Poisoning
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?
Child’s Novelty Purses Recalled by Payless ShoeSource NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 1998 Release # 98-111 Company Phone Number: (800) 444-7463 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 CPSC, Payless ShoeSource Announce Recall of Child’s Novelty Purses WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Payless ShoeSource Inc. is recalling about 6,000 novelty purses. The purses contain a petroleum distillate, used as a decorative liquid in the purse flap, that could be harmful or fatal if ingested. CPSC and Payless are not aware of any injuries involving these purses. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The purses are made of clear plastic and measure about 5 inches long by 5 inches wide. The purses’ flaps contain two bright colored liquids, glitter and decorative foil confetti. The purses were available with liquids in green and yellow, pink and orange, and purple and blue. Inside the purse are two tags: a warning label regarding the hazardous liquid in the purse, and a tag with the products’ identification number, “3659,” and the words, “Made in China.” The purses were sold at Payless ShoeSource stores nationwide from Feb 1998 through May 1998 for about $8. Consumers should immediately take these purses away from children, and return them to their local Payless ShoeSource store for a refund and an additional $10 gift certificate. For more information, consumers can call (800) 444-7463 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. CDT Monday through Saturday. Consumers also can mail the purse to Payless ShoeSource Purse Recall, 3231 E. Sixth St., Topeka, KS 66601 with their return address enclosed for a full refund and a $10 gift certificate issued through the mail.
Payless ShoeSource novelty purses.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Payless ShoeSource.
- 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.