Schumer calls for federal review of grill brush safety, possible recall

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review whether metal grill brushes are safe for consumer use, after reports that some metal bristles broke off the brush and were swallowed, sending two men to the hospital.

"Metal bristles are one topping no one wants on their burger this holiday season," Schumer said Tuesday. "Grilling season should be a great time for the whole family, not a time to be worried about an emergency visit to the hospital."

Schumer said men from New Jersey and Washington State were recently hospitalized after swallowing metal bristles that fell off their grill brushes. He said that reports indicate that similar incidents occurred nearly a dozen times over the last three years.

In a Monday letter to both agencies, Schumer called on both agencies to review the safety of these products, and to consider a product recall if necessary.

"I respectfully request that the CPSC review hospital injury data to determine whether there is a pattern of injury that would require a product recall," Schumer wrote. "I also ask that you evaluate whether manufacturers or importers have failed to report product-safety-related information as required by law."

Under current law, manufacturers and importers are required to report potentially dangerous products to the CPSC.

Schumer also asked that both agencies issue public warnings about the possible dangers associated with grill brushes.

"I respectfully request that both agencies take immediate action — such as an advisory on your websites — to warn consumers of the risk of serious injury from accidentally ingesting metal grill brush bristles that are loose or have already broken off," he wrote.

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