Columbus’ Communicorp recalls 600,000 plush Aflac promotional ducks
Columbus-based Aflac subsidiary Communicorp is recalling 600,000 of the iconic plush Aflac ducks used to promote the popular brand.
Anyone owning one of the ducks should dispose of it, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“Components of the recalled promotional ducks contain levels of certain phthalates that exceed the federal phthalate content standard,” it says on its website alerting consumers to product recalls. “A component of the promotional fishing duck also contains a level of lead that exceeds the federal lead content standard. Phthalates and lead are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.”
A similar recall for Aflac “Doctor Ducks” was issued in August 2020, because buttons on the duck’s lab coat contained excessive lead, according to the website.
The six-inch ducks have variations to fit promotional themes. Here are the ones the commission listed for this recall, issued Thursday:
- Accident Duck.
- Business Duck, though only those with no model number on the tag are being recalled.
- Fishing Duck.
- Police Duck.
- PGA Duck.
- One Day Pay Duck.
- Heisman Duck.
- Lifeguard Duck.
Imported from China, the ducks were distributed directly to Aflac employees and agents from February 2009 through March 2021 as a free gift item for customers, the commission said.
Communicorp on its website said it discovered the problems while testing the ducks itself, and reported it.
“All of the promotional ducks at issue were produced by a single vendor with whom Communicorp no longer does business, and Communicorp is destroying inventory produced by that vendor. Plush promotional ducks produced by Communicorp’s new vendors have passed comprehensive tests,” Communicorp posted online.
“If you have an impacted duck in your possession, you should immediately dispose of it,” it added, noting the company has a hotline at 1-800-642-3522 for the public.
Communicorp said it is contacting Aflac employees and licensed agents who purchased the plush promotional ducks directly.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 11:56 AM.