Washington - A California company has recalled more than one million infant "slings" sold in the United States and Canada, amid fears that the baby-carriers could pose a suffocation risk.
Jack Vresics, president of the San Diego-based Infantino company said in a statement that it was working with the US product regulator, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in carrying out the recall.
"As an industry leader, Infantino has... been working closely with CPSC and other agencies, as well as the international agency ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) to develop safety standards for baby slings to ensure that these products are safe and that they are used appropriately," the statement said.
"We will continue to play a leadership role in the industry and to cooperate closely with CPSC as it continues its investigation of all baby slings," read the statement released Tuesday.
Infantino has issued a voluntary replacement program for the two affected models: Infantino SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo infant baby carriers.
One million of the slings are being recalled in the United States, while 15 000 are being recalled in Canada.
The recall follows an announcement earlier this month by the CPSC warning that sling-style baby carriers can pose a risk to infants, especially those younger than four months of age.
Over the past 20 years, CPSC identified at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three that occurred last year.
The CPSC said in its March 12 statement that very young babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles, and that a sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, causing suffocation.
It added that in some cases, a sling keeps an infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, and restricting the infant's airway, which can also cause suffocation. - Sapa-AFP