Product regulators warn of more shattering glass bowls

Nov 3, 2011 2:00 PM www.consumerreports.org

The recalled Fantasy bowls from Libbey Glass 
measure about 5-3/8 inches in height on the 
tallest side and about 2-1/4 inches at the base.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have issued a recall alert for more than 18,000 glass bowls that shatter under sudden temperature changes or impact. 

Nearly all of the defective bowls, made by Libbey Glass of Toledo, Ohio, were sold to commercial food services establishments. However, approximately 100 of these defective bowls may have been sold to consumers in the U.S. and Canada from August 2010 to September 2011.

Serious injuries can result from glassware that shatters unexpectedly. In January, a Consumer Reports investigation found more than 120 cases of glass bakeware unexpectedly shattering during use. In one case, a mother and daughter were cut and burned after the bakeware used to cook a ham at 350-degrees shattered on the kitchen countertop. 

By September, Consumer Reports had received more than 300 reports of shattering American Pyrex (made by World Kitchen) bakeware and Anchor Hocking glassware. Sixty of those incidents involved cut and burn injuries. Consumer Reports safety experts have called up the CPSC to look into the issues of unexpected shattering glass from these companies. And while the CPSC has issued recalls—such as this current warning—regarding shattering glassware from other companies, to date, there has been no recall of Pyrex-branded wares.

In this current recall of Libbey Glass bowls, consumers are urged to immediately stop using the faulty and return them to the point of purchase for a refund. Commercial customers should contact Libbey Glass Inc. to arrange for destruction of the product and receipt of a credit or refund.

For additional information, consumers should call Libbey Glass Inc. toll-free (800-982-7063) or visit the firm's website: www.libbey.com.