McDonald’s Offers $3 Shrek Glass Premium; Cadmium Recalls Rare
OAK BROOK, Ill. – McDonald’s Corp. is now offering a $3 reward for the return of recalled “Shrek” drinking glasses, a slight premium over the original cost of $1.99 per item.
“I think McDonald’s has learned a valuable lesson in public relations from the Toyota recall,” says Bill Klein, who is a Principal at Noblis and leads the RASMAS National Recall Center. “Very few recalls that I’ve reviewed have added a premium over the cost to the buyer.”
Klein reviews thousands of recall notices for products of all types through his role at RASMAS. Klein says that the recall is unique not only because of the premium, but also because the recall is for cadmium.
“Our database of over 21,000 recalls and safety notices for the U.S. and Canada contains approximately 600 notices for lead but less than 20 for cadmium,” says Klein. “Almost all of the cadmium related notices were released this year.”
Last week, in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and as a precautionary measure, McDonald’s USA issued a voluntary recall of its four Shrek Forever After glassware recently offered in its U.S. restaurants. They asked customers to stop using the glasses and visit www.mcdonalds.com/glasses for instructions on how to return them and get a refund.
McDonald’s reported that the glassware had been evaluated by an independent third-party laboratory which is accredited by the CPSC, and the glassware had been determined to be in compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements at the time of manufacture and distribution.
“When the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approached McDonald’s about cadmium in their current movie-themed drinking glasses, the company responded quickly. McDonald’s agreed to cooperate fully and acted on the side of caution,” said Scott Wolfson, Director of the Office of Information and Public Affairs, CPSC.
The Shrek Forever After glassware was offered in four glass designs at McDonald’s restaurants beginning May 21. The four designs include Puss n’ Boots, Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey. Customers can get instructions on how to return the glassware and request a refund by visiting www.mcdonalds.com/glasses beginning June 8. Customers also can call McDonald’s toll-free number at 1-800-244-6227. Previous McDonald’s promotional glassware is not involved in the recall.
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