Wal-Mart Disney Princess and the Frog Necklace Recall: Cadmium Risk

About 55,000 Disney “The Princess and the Frog” necklaces sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores have been recalled due to high levels of the toxic substance cadmium.

The Wal-Mart Disney necklace recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Friday. The necklaces, imported from China by FAF Inc., of Greenville, Rhode Island, have been found to contain high levels of cadmium, which is toxic if ingested by young children. Although no injuries have been reported in connection with the recalled jewelry, consumers have been urged to immediately take the necklaces away from children.

Cadmium is a toxic metal that is often a by-product of zinc production. Before its toxicity was understood, it was used as a paint pigment and as corrosion-resistant plating on steel. Cadmium is a known carcinogen and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks cadmium as the seventh most hazardous substance in the environment. Cadmium poisoning is considered an occupational hazard in some industrial processes and can cause metal fume fever, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis and death. It has also been found to cause developmental problems in children.

The “Princess and the Frog” necklace recall affects about 55,000 necklaces, which have pendants shaped either like a crown or a frog attached to a metal link chain necklace. The necklaces come with a crown-shaped jewelry box in packaging that has “Disney” and “The Princess and the Frog” printed on it. The necklaces with the crown have a model number of 4616-4187 and a UPC number of 72783367144. The necklaces with the frog pendant have a model number of 4616-4190 and a UPC number of 7278336147.

The necklaces were sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from November 2009 through January 2010 for $5. The necklaces can be returned to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund or a replacement product.