Recall Notice
ONLY Applicable to amber products purchased before April 2012
Amber Baby Teething Voluntary Product Recall FAQ’s -
During the past few weeks there has been a European wide investigation into amber teething products regarding the potential choking and strangulation risk associated with them for babies under 36 months. We have been working closely with Trading Standards in the UK. We take safety extremely seriously.
Trading Standards test results have indicated that if a baby puts a necklace, anklet or bracelet into their mouth there is a potential risk of choking as well as strangulation from the necklace. Trading Standards have now recommended that we conduct a voluntary product recall as a preventative measure.
Please follow the information below carefully to help you make an informed decision about what action you wish to take.
Questions
- Why are the amber necklaces and anklets are being recalled?
- Does the recall apply to adult or child amber necklaces and bracelets?
- Are other products are being recalled?
- Has anyone come to any harm?
- Why were Amber Pumpkin selling goods that are now being recalled?
- Why are you recalling when others are still selling amber teething products?
- I live in elsewhere outside of the UK – does the product recall apply to me?
- What does this mean for me having bought an anklet or necklace?
- What is a voluntary product recall?
- I like my baby’s anklet / necklace – does it have to be recalled?
- What information do you need for me to return the item?
- How will you refund me?
- How long will it take for me to receive my refund?
- I’ve lost my anklet / necklace – can I claim?
- I bought a necklace from another retailer, can I claim from you?
- I received the item as a gift from a friend – what do I do?
- What will happen to Amber Pumpkin?
- I still have a teething baby – what can I do?
- What do I do if I still have a question or if I want to speak to someone about this?
To Apply for a Refund please click here to download the form with the details, to locate your order and speed up the process please fill in as much information as possible!
1. Why are the amber necklaces and anklets are being recalled?
There is a current EU-wide investigation into amber teething products due to concern that they may represent a potential choking hazard. Tests are being undertaken and results have indicated that if a baby puts an anklet or bracelet into their mouth there is a risk of choking as well as a risk of strangulation. We have been working closely with Trading Standards during the course of this investigation, and they have now recommended that we conduct a voluntary product recall.
The amber in itself is not intrinsically harmful – it is the composition of the products from small parts which has been found to be potentially hazardous.
2. Does the recall apply to adult or child amber necklaces and bracelets?
No – adult and child jewellery is not affected. Any potential hazard applies to children under 36 months (3 years) only.
3. Are other products are being recalled?
No other Amber Pumpkin products are affected.
4. Has anyone come to any harm?
No, the recall is a precautionary measure.
5. Why were Amber Pumpkin selling goods that are now being recalled?
At the time you were sold the product(s) we believed that all of our products met current EU safety requirements, and that they could be beneficially used if care was taken to follow the safety guidelines we issue with every purchase. We personally use (and have historically used) the products with our own children and were happy to sell them, together with guidance on how to use them safely. Indeed, other countries within the EU and beyond are currently continuing to sell amber teething products, provided that this is done with appropriate guidelines.
However, given the new testing and the subsequent advice of UK trading standards, we now need to recall the products. We are very sorry for any worry and inconvenience this may cause and we will do our very best to try to ensure that this situation is resolved in a way that everyone is satisfied with.
6. Why are you recalling when others are still selling amber teething products?
We cannot comment on individual retailers, but perhaps they have not yet been contacted by Trading Standards. Possibly they are aware of the new guidance, but they are choosing to flout this. Whatever the reason may be, it is recommended that you do not purchase any amber teething products from any retailer at this time.
7. I live in elsewhere outside of the UK – does the product recall apply to me?
At the current time some countries outside of the UK are continuing to allow the sale of amber teething products, so long as these are issued with safety guidelines. To our knowledge, this is currently the case in some other European countries. However, we are contacting all of our customers regardless of geographical location so that all individuals can make an informed decision on whether to keep or to return their products.
8. What does this mean for me having bought an anklet or necklace?
Trading Standards are advising all UK amber retailers to contact all customers as far as possible to advise of the outcome of the tests and to offer a voluntary product recall.
9. What is a voluntary product recall?
It means that if you have any concerns about the recalled product(s) you may return them and apply for a refund.
10. I like my baby’s anklet / necklace – does it have to be recalled?
No, this is a voluntary recall however the advice from Trading Standards is to recall the product. If you continue to use them you are aware of the risks. Alternatively, you may choose to return the item(s) and apply for a refund.
11. What information do you need for me to return the item?
You need to complete the form and send it back to us, together with the recalled item(s). Proof of postage should be obtained as we will not be able to issue items which go missing without this. Details such as the date of your order, and the order number, are required to help us to locate your order.
12. How will you refund me?
We will do our best to fulfil all requests for refunds. For orders placed within the last 60 days, we can refund directly to the credit card or PayPal account used to make your purchase. For orders prior to that we need to contact our credit card company and they will apply the refund to your PayPal account or credit card.
13. How long will it take for me to receive a refund?
We aim to process refunds within 5 working days of receipt of the recalled items. However, we are a small team and depending on the volume of refund requests, it may take longer. We will e-mail you to let you know when your refund is processed. Refunds will be processed in the order that they are received at our offices. In the case of significant delays, we will update the website.
14. I’ve lost my anklet / necklace – can I claim?
We need products to be returned in order to issue a refund. If you have lost the item(s) we will not be able to offer a refund unless they are subsequently found and returned.
15. I bought a necklace from another retailer, can I claim from you?
We can only offer a refund to purchasers who have bought the products from Amber Pumpkin. You need to approach the retailer you bought items from for advice on what to do.
16. I received the item as a gift from a friend – what do I do?
In this case, the person who gave you the item(s) can make a claim for a refund on your behalf using the procedure outlined above.
17. What will happen to Amber Pumpkin?
If we can, we will continue to offer alternative products for mothers and babies that can assist with the difficulties associated with teething. We also hope to continue to supply adult and child amber jewellery. However, we are a small business and it is possible that the product recall will put us out of business. We will update the website homepage if this happens.
18. I still have a teething baby – what can I do?
You can try other methods to help to soothe the discomfort and symptoms associated with teething. These include teething toys for babies to chew on, soothing oils, and dribble bibs – a wide selection of alternative products are available on our website. You may also wish to speak with a health visitor or other health professional who can advise you on how to cope with the stresses of teething.
19. What do I do if I still have a question or if I want to speak to someone about this?
We may be very busy processing refunds at this time. For further help, please e-mail us at recall@amberpumpkin.com and we will respond to your request as soon as we can. Please be aware that, depending on the volume of refunds we are making, there may be a delay in replying to you.
Thank you Amber Pumpkin I love my bracelet
T and it is helping with my arthritis
I have bought another for my friend who is delighted, and agrees it is helping her too.
I will be back to.buy again
Big love to Amber Pumpkin, I've bought a few items and they are truly beautiful. Communication is most important when necessary to do and Toby made me smile. Thank you.
Such a lovely item. I used one previously for my eldest daughter and she never had any issues teething so had to get one for my youngest. Lovely colours and very easy to use.
Beautiful bead,very rich in colour,silver core and fits my pandora bangle very well.Always complemented on it and with Amber Pumpkin correspondence is brilliant, nothing is too much trouble with a very quick delivery...have ordered multiple times
I like this item as it looks safe for children especially with each bead being knotted.
In love with my anklet. It’s the second one I’ve ordered and definitely not the last! Far superior in every way to any other I’ve had, love it
This isn't the first amber pumpkin order and each time I have been very pleased. A lovely item that is great quality.