by Laura Freeman

Reporter

Hudson -- Jo-Ann Stores is recalling more than 12,000 children's holiday drinking cups sold from August through November 2007 because of concerns about possible contaminated water used in their design.

This is the latest in a string of five recalls at Jo-Ann Stores since September 2007 totaling more than 131,000 items, all in Robbie Ducky line of toys carried exclusively by the Hudson-based fabric and craft store.

Public Relations Director Lisa Greb would not say how much the recalls have cost Jo-Ann Stores.

Greb said the most recent recall involves approximately 8,250 Halloween glitter tumblers and 4,500 Thanksgiving glitter tumblers.

They were sold for $2 each. Christmas glitter tumblers also were found to be contaminated, but none were sold, according to Greb.

The tumblers are a little over 4 inches tall and 2.5 inches in diameter. The cups hold 8 ounces of liquid and feature a sticker on the bottom which states "Holiday Inspirations Robbie Ducky Glitter Tumblers" and were made in China.

The tumblers contain excessive levels of aerobic microbes in the water contained within the walls of the tumblers and fail the bacteriological standards for U.S. Pharmacopoeia Purified Water, according to a press release.

Greb said the tumblers did not meet Jo-Ann Stores specifications.

If the tumbler could break or crack, the liquid could be ingested by the user, but Greb said there have been no incidents of the tumblers breaking or contents ingested.

Consumers should immediately take the tumblers from children and return them to any Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store to receive a full refund.

For more information, call 1-888-739-4120 option 7, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or e-mail guest.services@jo-annstores.com. Customers also can visit www.joann.com.

Other recalls

Jo-Ann Stores recalled 6,000 Robbie Ducky Kids Watering Cans made in China because of lead paint in September 2007. The watering cans were sold between February and August 2007 for $9.99 each.

The cans were exclusive to Jo-Ann stores and made in Ningbo, China.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission said orange paint used in the product contained lead that exceeded the federal safety standard and violated federal law.

No incidents or injuries were reported, but lead is toxic if ingested by young children.

Also in September 2007, 16,000 Robbie Ducky Garden Collection Rakes were recalled because of lead paint.

The rake was exclusively sold at Jo-Ann Stores from January to September 2007 for $7 each.

Greb said in October 2007, 97,000 additional garden tools in the Robbie Ducky Garden Collection were recalled including a leaf rake, hoe, broom and spade. The garden toys were sold from January through September 2007 and had excessive lead levels in the paint on the handles.

In December 2007, 60 Robbie Ducky Water Globes were recalled due to concerns about lead paint in the base, but none were sold in Ohio.

E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150