Teavana Agrees to Pay $3.75 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Hazardous Tea Tumblers

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Teavana, formerly of Atlanta, Ga., has agreed to pay a $3.75 million civil penalty to the federal government.  The penalty settles charges that Teavana knowingly failed to report to CPSC, as required by federal law, that the tumblers contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or that the tumblers created an unreasonable risk of serious injury.

After receiving numerous complaints about the tea tumblers unexpectedly exploding, shattering or breaking during normal use, including six reports of injuries to consumers who suffered cuts to their fingers or legs by broken glass or burns from hot liquid, Teavana failed to immediately report the matter to CPSC.

In addition to paying the $3.75 million civil penalty, Teavana has agreed to comply with and maintain the compliance program of its parent company that is designed to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) and regulations enforced by the Commission. Teavana has also agreed to comply with and maintain a system of internal controls and procedures to ensure Teavana discloses information to the Commission in accordance with applicable law.

The tumblers were recalled in May 2013, after Teavana had imported about 445,000 tumblers. The tumblers were sold at Teavana stores and online at Teavana.com from August 2007 through May 2013, for about $15 to $33 for the individual tumblers; about $40 for the Flourish Iced Tea Glasses Sets; and about $80 to $100 for the Imperial Blooming Collection Tea Sets. 

Teavana does not admit to CPSC staff's charges. 

The penalty agreement has been accepted provisionally by the Commission by a 3 to 2 vote.

CPSC Commissioner's Statements

Statement of Commissioner Joseph P. Mohorovic

About U.S. CPSC:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Related Links

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