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Pokemon tokens recalled over barium in coating

Thursday, July 9, 2009 | 11:16 AM ET

Health Canada is recalling Pokemon tokens because the thin layer of metallic coating on the six identified tokens contained barium in excess of the allowable concentration limit in Canada.

The tokens are thin black plastic discs with the Pokemon logo on one side and a colourful picture of one Pokemon character on the other side. Each token is approximately 3 cm (30 mm) in diameter, which is slightly larger than a toonie.

Each token is coated with a small amount, approximately 1 mg, of colourful coating.

Some forms of barium are safely used in medical and commercial applications, while other forms of barium can be toxic, causing adverse health effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps as well as more severe symptoms.

Children's toys coated with paint containing barium, in excess of the allowable concentration limit, are strictly prohibited in Canada. There is no exemption to the prohibition for small quantities of coating.

Neither Pokemon USA Inc. nor Health Canada has received any reports of illness or injury to Canadians related to the use of these tokens.

In total, 17 styles of Pokemon tokens were distributed in Canada from February 2006 to December 2008.

Only the six tokens, as described below and shown in the photographs, are being recalled:

  • Metallic red: "Electivire"
  • Speckled gold: "Electivire"
  • Gold: "Munchlax"
  • Metallic blue: "Metagross"
  • Silver: "Manaphy"
  • Silver: "Lucario"

The recalled tokens were not sold separately, with two types of Pokemon products as follows:

A single token was included in every "Secret Wonders" deck package with cardboard counters and 60 trading cards.

A single token may have been included in certain packages with one or more 10-card booster packs.

Approximately 290,680 of the recalled tokens were sold at the following retailers in all provinces and territories (except Quebec): Loblaws, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, Toys 'R' Us, Wal-Mart, and Zellers.
Consumers should immediately take the recalled Pokemon tokens away from children and discard them in regular household trash.

For more information, contact Pokemon at 1-425-274-4855.

Recall notice

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