UPDATE (DEC. 29, 2017)
A Claire's representative responded to the E.W. Scripps Company's TMJ4 television station after it sought comment regarding reports its children's makeup kits tested positive for asbestos.
"The initial results of testing by an independent certified laboratory show that the cosmetics tested to date are asbestos free," said Anna Jarema on behalf of the Claire's Press Offce. "Out of an abundance of caution, additional testing is underway. We have also confirmed that the talcum ingredient supply is from a certified asbestos free European vendor.
"We will continue to honor returns for any customers remaining uncomfortable," Jarema said.
EARLIER STORY (DEC. 24, 2017)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Popular children's retailer Claire's has pulled several make-up kits from their shelves after a report claiming kits from several different cities tested positive for asbestos.
The company posted a statement on their Twitter account Saturday afternoon, saying they would be pulling the products as a “precautionary measure” while they conduct their own investigation into the claims.
“At Claire’s the safety of our customers is of paramount importance, and we are passionate about the safety and integrity of our products,” the company’s statement read. “We work closely with our vendors to ensure our products are tested and assessed in line with the relevant country regulations and guidelines.”
The company’s decision to pull product comes after WJAR-TV in Rhode Island broke a story on Friday, claiming a mother had sent her daughter’s product off to a private lab to be tested and it came back positive for tremolite asbestos, which is a toxic, cancer-causing material.
— Claire's (@claires) December 23, 2017
The make-up in question was purchased at a Rhode Island mall, but after the initial test came back the woman told WJAR that her law firm purchased kits from 9 different states, which also came back positive for asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma, which is fatal.
While Claire’s is pulling these items from store shelves, it is important to make sure that you don’t already have them under your tree this Christmas.
The impacted products include:
- Aqua Glitter Kit
- Jeweled Heart Kit
- Pink Flip Phone Kit
- Pink Jeweled Star Kit
- Pink Jeweled Rectangle Kit
- Pink Jeweled Heart Kit
- Pink Glitter
- Shiny Black Plastic Makeup Kit with Handle
- Pink Glittery Makeup Kit with Fold Closure
- Claire’s Eyeshadow Palette
- Pink Sparkly Heart Kit
Claire's has not placed an official "recall" on the impacted products but has pulled all remaining product from their store shelves at this time.
Claire’s is not the first store to pull children’s makeup over asbestos concerns. Back in July, Justice for Girls pulled one of their products after a North Carolina TV station claimed tests came back positive for asbestos in at least one of their products. Justice later denied the claims, saying all of their tests came back safe.
