By now we should all know that once a product has been formally recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is illegal for a retailer to sell that item – or to distribute that item to other stores. Yet, there have been several cases in which that rule isn’t followed, leading to stiff fines for the stores. The latest case involves national retailer Meijer paying $2 million in penalties for the continued distribution of 12 recalled products.

The CPSC announced this week that Michigan-based retailer Meijer agreed to pay a $2 million civil penalty to settle charges it distributed recalled items, many of which were children’s products.

According to the CPSC, from April 2010 to April 2011 Meijer facilitated the resale of approximately 1,700 units of recalled products to consumers.

The company distributed recalled products through a system operated by a third-party contractor.

However, CPSC investigators found that Meijer had received information that the products had been recalled, but failed to take action to prevent distribution.

The recalled products include:
• Discovery Kids Animated Marine and Safari Lamps imported by Innovage LLC;
• SlingRider Baby Slings manufactured by Infantino;
• Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaners with Cord Rewind Feature imported by Hoover Inc;
• Fisher-Price Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricycles manufactured by Fisher-Price;
• Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampways imported by Fisher Price;
• Ocean Wonders Kick & Crawl Aquariums imported by Fisher-Price;
• Bathtub Subs imported by Munchkin, Inc.;
• Refreshing Rings Infant Teethers/Rattles imported by Sassy;
• Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heater;
• Harmony High Chair manufactured by Graco Children’s Products;
• Random Orbit Sander manufactured by Black & Decker; and
• Box Fans manufactured by Lasko.

Upon realizing that additional retail sales were taking place, CPSC and Meijer jointly reissued the recall of the Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heater in July 2011. Recalls for eight other products, including the Innovage Discovery Kids Animated lamps, Infantino baby slings and Hoover WindTunnel T-Series vacuum were re-announced by the two entities in March 2012.

Under the agreement with the CPSC, Meijer will implement and maintain a reverse logistics compliance program designed to ensure that it does not violate federal laws regarding the sale of recalled products.

Meijer Agrees to Pay $2 Million Civil Penalty for Distributing Recalled Products [CPSC]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.