Safety Alert Go Go Hamster Toy

The hamster has not been officially recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the UK Trading Standards Institute.

Product Name	Go Go Hamster Mr Squiggles
Company, brand or retail store	Cepia
Recall Date	Mon 7th Dec 2009
Product Type	Toys 1 - 3 Years
Hazard	The safety alert was published by the US consumer group GoodGuide who tested the product for various contaminants and alleged that the Go Go Mr Squiggle Hamster (light brown) had more than the allowed level of the metal antimony. The GoodGuide claim the Go Go Hamster toy had 93 parts per million of Antimony in the hamster's fur and 106 parts per million in their noses. The chemical is restricted to 60 parts per million in European toys because of the adverse health effects it can cause. Antimony is used in the production of toys and can act as a catalyst in 'polyester production' and with 'bromide' as a 'flame retardant.' The concern is that antimony used in either way may release from the toy. Note: The European toy standard EN 71 (for migration from toys) is 60 ppm. The U.S. voluntary toy standard ASTM F973-07 (for migration from toys) is 60 ppm. Health effects associated with antimony, depending on the level of exposure, include possible cancer, lung and heart problems and impacts on fertility.
Recall Type	Safety Notice
Recall Authority	MHRA Healthcare
Recall Country	United Kingdom
Notes	Manufactured in China