Unlike Shirley Temple’s, These Charms Pose Risks

The good ship Lollipop has some unsafe cargo.

Twentieth Century Fox is launching a voluntary recall of charm bracelets included as a giveaway with Shirley Temple DVDs after the studio discovered they contained high levels of lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is expected to announce today.

The trinkets, in the form of lollipops, treble clefs, pigs and ponies, came in pink boxes containing DVDs of the child star’s films, including “Curly Top,” “The Little Colonel” and “Heidi.”

Retailers in the U.S. and on the Internet began offering the promotion in August.

Commission spokeswoman Patty Davis said Fox tested the items after the promotion hit the market and found high levels of accessible lead -- a type that can be easily moved into the bloodstream. Lead exposure to children can cause neurological damage, delayed mental and physical development and attention deficit disorder.

“A high level of accessible lead is dangerous to children,” Davis said. “They did the right thing here.”

Fox Home Entertainment spokesman Steve Feldstein said the company was first notified of the problem late last week. There have been no reported injuries, he said, but the company will nonetheless recall about 730,000 units.

“I want them all back,” Feldstein said. “We want them out of stores and out of homes.”

Fox is offering free postage and a family film DVD to those who return the charms. Information is at dvdcharmrecall.com or (877) 541-2229