Feds recall more kids’ jewelry

LOS ANGELES – Federal safety regulators recalled a line of Christmas-themed bracelets Thursday, expanding their effort to purge children’s jewelry boxes and store shelves of items containing high levels of the toxic metal cadmium.

The latest action by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission targeted “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” charm bracelets that released alarmingly high levels of cadmium in government lab tests, suggesting children could be exposed to a carcinogen that also can damage kidneys and bones.

The chain-link bracelets were sold at dollar-type stores between 2006 and March 2009 and feature characters from the classic holiday movie, including Rudolph and the abominable snowman, as well as snowflakes and candy canes. The agency said parents should immediately take the bracelets from kids and throw them away.

It was the second cadmium-related recall by the government since an Associated Press investigation earlier this year found that some children’s jewelry, including the Rudolph charms, was made almost entirely with the heavy metal.

The commission said the recall may not be the government’s last action as it continues to investigate items highlighted in AP’s investigation.