Ahead of the New School Term... New Balance Elementary Students' Backpacks Found to Contain 'Environmental Hormones', Recall Issued

Environmental hormones exceeding the standard level were detected in New Balance Kids' elementary school backpacks.
Photo by New Balance Official Website Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Endland World’s imported and sold New Balance elementary school backpacks have been found to contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals exceeding the standard limits.

According to the official New Balance website on the 21st, New Balance Kids is conducting a recall of the elementary school backpack "Starlit-Girl" pink color product from March 17 to April 16.

This is because the product’s front pocket heart decoration was found to contain phthalate plasticizers exceeding the standard limits in a safety investigation recently conducted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s National Institute of Technology and Standards.

Phthalate plasticizers are harmful chemicals that can cause liver damage and reduced reproductive function when exposed for long periods. Previously, controversy arose when a baby bathtub from Daiso was found to contain 612 times the allowable limit.

A New Balance official stated, "We decided to proactively conduct the recall to reduce consumer harm and anxiety before the government’s official announcement," adding, "Since this measure was taken before the new school term when the product is actually used, we expect to minimize damage."

They continued, "It has been confirmed that there are no safety issues except for the specified part (front pocket), so we decided to offer free repairs for the non-compliant material or provide exchanges and refunds to customers who wish."

Currently, sales of the product have been suspended both online and offline, and consumers who purchased the product can choose to receive an exchange for a product of the same price, repair, or a refund.