Attorney General Asks Kellogg Company To Immediately

Remove Spider-Man Toy From Cereal Boxes

 

June 30, 2004

 

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today sent a letter to Kellogg Company, urging them to immediately stop selling cereal boxes that include a Spider-Man toy that contains batteries with mercury. Even in small amounts, mercury is toxic and poses a significant health and environmental hazard.

 

The Spider-Man toy dubbed Spidey-Signal can be wrapped around a child's wrist, and projects a web-shaped light. And the toy comes with the ominous warning: Battery in toy contains mercury, dispose of properly. The battery is not easily removable and not replaceable. The toy recently debuted in specially marked Kellogg's cereal boxes, including Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies, in anticipation of today's Spider-Man 2 movie premiere.

 

Connecticut's Mercury Reduction Act and the Child Protection Act establish a clear public policy against the use of mercury and other hazardous substances in children's toys. Kellogg's use of mercury batteries in cereal boxes may constitute a violation of unfair or deceptive trade practices under state law. Blumenthal also urges any supermarket, or other business that sells these products, to immediately remove products containing these toys from shelves.

 

"No healthy breakfast begins with mercury," Blumenthal said. "Clear, common sense law in Connecticut bans mercury from most consumer products and all children's toys  because it is so highly toxic. The health risks are real and immediate, particularly to children, if the batteries are damaged or dismantled, or disposed of improperly."

 

"Mercury dangers cannot be sugarcoated. Mercury-free batteries are easily available. Kellogg should remove all cereal boxes containing toys with mercury batteries from store shelves immediately. If it fails to stop selling this product, we will take prompt action. We will inform the stores of their legal obligations and seek their cooperation."

 

Click here to read the Letter to the Kellogg Company

http://www.cslib.org/attygenl/press/2004/health/mercury%20kellogg%20letter.