High street fashion giant River Island has launched an urgent product recall after discovering a popular handbag poses a potential chemical risk to shoppers.
What Product Is Affected?
The retailer has pulled its Pink Floral Heat Seal Droplet Bucket Handbag from sale and is urging customers to return it immediately. The safety issue stems from the bag's decorative gold chain, which was found to contain higher than permitted levels of lead during routine quality testing.
The specific item code for the recalled product is 927917. River Island has stated that while the areas of concern are limited, the chain is considered accessible during normal use and therefore fails to meet the company's internal safety standards.
Health Risks and Company Response
Exposure to lead is a serious health concern. It can cause damage to vital organs, including the kidneys and the circulatory system. The risk is considered particularly acute for pregnant women.
In an official recall notice published online, a River Island spokesperson said: "We consider the risk of harm to be low, however lead is toxic and can cause adverse health issues... your safety is our highest priority therefore we are recalling this style immediately as a precautionary measure."
The company has instructed all customers to stop using the handbag at once and to keep it safely away until it can be returned. They have offered a full refund and apologised for any inconvenience caused.
How to Return the Item
Customers who purchased the bag, either in-store or online, are advised to return it to the following address: River Island Customer Service Parcels Freepost, MK17 8EW.
For further questions, shoppers can contact River Island customer service by email at customer.services@river-island.com or by phone on 03445 766 444.
The retailer also reminded the public to check for other product recalls on the websites of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).
Other Recent Product Recalls
This alert from River Island comes amidst several other notable product recalls affecting UK consumers.
Tesco has recalled its own-brand Celery Fruit and Nut Salad 300g because it contains mustard not declared on the label, posing a danger to those with an allergy. The affected batch has a use-by date of December 2.
Furthermore, Kendamil infant milk with an expiry date of October 8 was recalled last month by retailer B&M due to a "date-related" issue.
In a separate safety incident, Amazon recalled a Petiyark Neoprene Swim Vest for children over fears it could pose a "serious risk of drowning." The product was criticised for having confusing sizing limits and a lack of bright, visible colours in the water.
