River Island Recalls Handbag Over Dangerous Lead Levels Amid Restructuring
Fashion retailer River Island has urgently recalled a pink bucket-style handbag due to dangerously high lead levels in its metal chain. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) identified a serious chemical risk, particularly to unborn babies and young children, affecting kidneys, circulation, and brain development. Consumers are advised to return the product for a full refund. This recall occurs as River Island undergoes significant restructuring, including store closures and a shift to online sales, to avoid financial collapse.
River Island has issued an urgent recall for a specific pink bucket-style handbag featuring a gold-coloured chain strap, manufactured in Bhutan, after discovering dangerously high lead concentrations. A report from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) confirmed that the soldering on the metal chain contains an excess concentration of lead, posing a serious chemical risk. Exposure to lead can cause severe health issues, including damage to the kidneys, circulatory system, and the developing brain, with unborn babies and young children being particularly vulnerable.The OPSS strongly recommends that consumers immediately stop using the contaminated product and return it to River Island for a full refund. This product recall coincides with a challenging period for the major fashion retailer, which is currently undergoing extensive restructuring efforts to prevent collapse. The High Court approved a plan in August to shut at least 33 stores, part of a broader strategy to close tens of high-street branches and pivot the company’s focus towards online sales. CEO Ben Lewis noted that this shift aligns with changing consumer habits, which are increasingly internet-driven. The company reported a 19% drop in sales and a £33.2 million annual loss, highlighting the urgent need for restructuring to safeguard its future and the jobs of approximately 5,500 employees across 223 locations in the UK and Ireland.
