Staph Risk Prompts Recall of Sketch Pads

Makeup sketch books for popular tween girl's toy Bratz have been recalled because of a risk of Staph infection.

Parent company MGA Entertainment of California is recalling 6,200 units of the Bratz Makeup Design Sketch Book because eye shadow that is included with the book has the potential to be contaminated with Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus intermedius.

Stop using the "Sketch Pad' immediately.

A staph infection is caused by a Staphylococcus bacteria. Infection usually begins with an open wound or cut, which then gets infected with the bacteria. Some infections manifest themselves as easily treatable boils while more dangerous varieties of the infection include flesh-eating bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. About a quarter to a third of the population normally carries staff in their mouth, nose or genitals.

It is rare for the two types of Staph found in the sketch pads to make humans ill.

MGA is recalling products produced between November 5, 2010 and February 25, 2011. The company is no longer making or distributing the product. There have been no reports of injury yet as a result of the toy.

The Makeup Design Sketch book was distributed nationwide and sold through retail stores and Web sites.

The product can be identified by the batch code and item number printed on the back cover of the sketch book. The UPC for product number 504788 is: 0-35051-50478-8.

Consumers should discontinue use of this product. For information on how to obtain a refund for your purchase, call MGA Customer Service at 1-800-222-4685 Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Standard Time.