Just a few months ago, mum Penny Powell highlighted on Facebook how mould can build up inside the anti-spill guard of a Tommee Tippee sippy cup.
At the time, the company said:
“We are always very attentive to your feedback, comments, ideas and the way in which the parents use our products and their children the experience. . .
“We understand that the well-being of your children is of paramount importance, and we assure you that we have tested the valves of our cups, and the results have clearly confirmed that when the instructions for use and cleaning are followed, all works correctly.
“In addition to our instructions for use of cups, we have prepared a list of FAQ to help you to clean your cups and their valves.”
But now the manufacturer, Mayborn USA, has reportedly recalled more than 3 million products in America including a number of cups aimed at kids between 4 and 12 months.
These include the First Sips Transition cup, Trainer Sippee cup, Sippee cup, Sportee bottle and Insulated Swiggle/Sippee tumblers.
According to The Independent, the Consumer Products Safety Commission has reported that almost 70 children allegedly became ill by drinking from cups with mouldy valves. Their symptoms included vomiting and diarrhoea.
Customers in the US have also been advised to stop using the cups and contact Mayborn for a free replacement. As yet, it is not know whether the company will be recalling products elsewhere.
On the website, it says:
“We’d like to assure you that child health and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re taking the current concerns around our Sippee cups very seriously.
“We sell millions of Sippee cups globally but we know from recent social media posts, that some people have had problems cleaning the valve. For this we sincerely apologise and we are actively following up on any concerns raised.”
It also says that the brand will be releasing a new cup which will have a two-piece valve that is easier to clean and can be used with different types of liquids.
There are instructions on the Tommee Tippee website in relation to caring for and cleaning sippy cups. This includes pulling the valve out completely; washing after every use; and allowing it to air-dry before reassembling.
For more, visit their website here.
