Recall: Travelin' Chef thermal food carriers—Damaged gel packs

California Innovations has recalled about 55,000 of its Travelin' Chef Expandable Thermal Food Carriers, due to damaged freezer gel packs that pose a poisoning hazard, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported today.

Gel that contains diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can leak out of the damaged gel packs, posing a poisoning hazard if ingested. No incidents or injuries have been reported in connection with this recall.

Sold at Walmart for about $22 from August 2008 to December 2011, the recalled thermal food carrier is a four-piece set, which includes a light blue thermal carrier with black carrying handles, a medium and large plastic food container, and a freezer gel pack. Code 1-38018-69-07 is printed on a white label on the inside of the main compartment on the left hand side. The gel pack is an 8.5-inch by 8-inch, opaque blue plastic pouch filled with liquid gel. The words "Cryofreeze" and "Ice Pack/Hot Pack" are printed in white letters on the front of the pouch.

The thermal carrier is 18 inches wide, 10.5 inches deep and 4.7 inches high, and made of vinyl and polyester. The medium food container measures 9.75 inches by 6.25 inches by 3.5 inches. The large food container measures 11.75 inches by 8.75 inches by 3.5 inches.

Consumers should stop using the gel packs and dispose of them according to federal, state and local regulations. It is recommended that consumers contact their local waste disposal authority for instructions. Consumers may return the gel pack to Walmart for a refund of $6, or contact California Innovations at 800-722-2545 for the same refund.

This recall follows an earlier one of another type of insulated lunch box also from California Innovations that included a freezer gel pack that contained diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can leak out of damaged packs, posing a poisoning hazard if ingested. The previous recall, which we reported, affected about 248,000 Ci Sport three-piece, expandable, insulated lunch box sets.

For more information, call California Innovations at 800-722-2545, or visit www.californiainnovations.com.

Food Carriers Recalled by California Innovations Due to Freezer Gel Pack Ingestion Hazard [CPSC]

—Maggie Shader