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Pendants with Shonen Jump Images Recalled by Importer (Updated)

The Los Angeles-based importer Team Work Trading and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced a voluntary recall of about 1,500 pendants in 11 styles with symbols from the Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, and Death Note manga and anime on Wednesday. The pendants, which were manufactured in China, were found to contain significant amounts of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Consumers are advised to take the recalled items away from children immediately and to contact Team Work Trading to receive a full refund or a replacement.

This recall expands upon an earlier September recall of about 1,400 to 1,500 pendants with images from Naruto, Bleach, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts anime, manga, and games. The earlier recall also affects a children's animal mask shaped like a cat. All of the items were sold at gift shops and modeling stores nationwide, as well as at Team Work Trading's own store from November 2008 through March 2009.

ANN contacted the license holders of these titles to ask if these pendants were authorized for release in North America. Viz Media, which controls the North American rights for Bleach, Naruto, and Death Note, could not be reached for comment due to the Thanksgiving holiday. ANN did speak with FUNimation Entertainment, the North American licensing agent for One Piece merchandise on behalf of Toei Animation. However, Funimation has not issued a formal response as of press time.

A spokesperson with Team Work Trading confirmed the recall but declined to say whether the items were licensed for release in North America.

Source: The Journal Gazette

Update: Viz Media has confirmed that Team Work Trading is not its licensee. Evelyn Dubocq, Senior Director of Public Relations at Viz Media, tells ANN that her company ensures that all its licensees are "following all rules and regulations specifically as it relates to safety issues."