Gerber Recalls Popular Pacifier; It Can Break Into Four Pieces

DETROIT - A popular baby pacifier made by Gerber Products Inc. is being recalled because it can break into four pieces, causing a possible choking hazard.

Gerber spokeswoman Nancy Lindner said yesterday the company learned of the problem from 26 calls to its consumer line. She said no injuries have been reported to the company or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Gerber said the defective pacifiers have been pulled from store shelves, replaced by a newly designed pacifier that corrects the defect. The new package has an orange starburst sticker that says "new."

About 10 million NUK Orthodontic Pacifiers manufactured between July 1, 1993, and June 30, 1994, are being recalled. Date codes on the backs of the packages range from 063094 to 070193. The pacifiers were sold in single and multiple packages from $1.29 to $4.99.

The chances of the pacifier separating are one in 3 million, Lindner said.

All of the affected pacifiers have NUK printed on the mouth shield. If consumers are not certain when they bought them or if they no longer have the packaging, they should throw away any NUK pacifier.

Gerber will replace pacifiers free of charge to consumers who call the toll-free line, 1-800-4GERBER, anytime.

Lindner said NUK pacifiers are "very big sellers." The recall does not affect other Gerber pacifiers.

Lindner said the company notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission of the problem Sept. 14. Asked why the company is just now notifying consumers and stores - even though Gerber made a design change and stopped manufacturing it June 30, Lindner said there had been a breakdown in the company's internal safety-tracking system.