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It should be noted that wherever marketed and sold throughout the world, Kinder Surprise bears prominent warnings both on the outer and inner packaging advising the consumer that the toy is “not suitable for children under three years, due to the presence of small parts” and that “adult supervision is recommended.” <ref>[http://www.ferrerousa.com/inc/IMGShow.php?IDF=14189 Kinder Surprise Packaging Warning labels]</ref> |
It should be noted that wherever marketed and sold throughout the world, Kinder Surprise bears prominent warnings both on the outer and inner packaging advising the consumer that the toy is “not suitable for children under three years, due to the presence of small parts” and that “adult supervision is recommended.” <ref>[http://www.ferrerousa.com/inc/IMGShow.php?IDF=14189 Kinder Surprise Packaging Warning labels]</ref> |
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Since the launch of Kinder surprise in 1974 there have been 2 publicly recorded choking fatalities associated with parts of a toy from the product, the last of which occurred in 1989. The official inquiries determined that these had been unfortunate fatalities and that there was no causal link between the incidents and the combination of the toy and the egg. <ref> |
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Between 1991 and 1998 there were six reported deaths worldwide of children who choked after swallowing the toy inside the Kinder egg.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Mother+calls+for+ban+after+girl+chokes+on+Kinder+egg.-a060703736 Mother calls for ban after girl chokes on Kinder egg.] ''thefreelibrary.com''</ref> |
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[http://www.ferrerousa.com//inc/IMGShow.php?IDF=15023UK Department of Trade and Industry Press Notice - 14 August 1985]</ref> <ref>[http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1985/jul/16/confectionery-plastic-toys#S6CV0083P0_19850716_CWA_192UK House of Commons Sitting of 16 July 1985 - Confectionery]</ref> <ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm198990/cmhansrd/1989-12-06/Orals-1.html.htmlUK House of Commons Oral Answers to Questions - Trade and Industry - 6 December 1989]</ref> <ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm198889/cmhansrd/1989-11-09/Writtens-1.htmlUK House of Commons Written Answers to Questions - Trade and Industry - 9 November 1989]</ref> |
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On January 10, 2011, it was reported that a Kinder egg was seized from a woman's car during a random inspection while entering the United States from Canada. She was informed that bringing the egg into the United States could result in a $300 fine.<ref name="CBC"/> Seizures such as that one, and even the prohibition of the product itself, have been cited on political blogs and web forums as an example of an overzealous application of law and an intrusion upon personal liberty.<ref>[http://www.politicalforum.com/current-events/167162-united-states-ridiculous.html United States of Ridiculous!] politicalforum.com</ref> The rationale against a ban of the product also takes the form that deaths have been too few for it to be considered a serious danger. Additionally, the argument is made that there should be a consistent standard in place, as several worse dangers are not regulated.<ref>[http://www.acreativerevolution.ca/node/2576 The story of the AK47 and the egg] A Creative Revolution, January 13, 2011</ref> |
On January 10, 2011, it was reported that a Kinder egg was seized from a woman's car during a random inspection while entering the United States from Canada. She was informed that bringing the egg into the United States could result in a $300 fine.<ref name="CBC"/> Seizures such as that one, and even the prohibition of the product itself, have been cited on political blogs and web forums as an example of an overzealous application of law and an intrusion upon personal liberty.<ref>[http://www.politicalforum.com/current-events/167162-united-states-ridiculous.html United States of Ridiculous!] politicalforum.com</ref> The rationale against a ban of the product also takes the form that deaths have been too few for it to be considered a serious danger. Additionally, the argument is made that there should be a consistent standard in place, as several worse dangers are not regulated.<ref>[http://www.acreativerevolution.ca/node/2576 The story of the AK47 and the egg] A Creative Revolution, January 13, 2011</ref> |
Revision as of 18:46, 17 August 2012
Kinder Surprise, also known as a Kinder Egg or, in the original Italian, Kinder Sorpresa,[1] is a confection manufactured by Italian company Ferrero. Originally intended for children, it has the form of a chocolate egg containing a small toy, often requiring assembly.
Overview
Kinder Surprise originated in 1972 in Italy as Kinder Sorpresa. The German word "Kinder" in the name came about because in 1967, Ferrero's German subsidiary introduced Kinder Chocolate ("Kinderschokolade") to the German market, and in 1968 that product was introduced to Ferrero's native Italy, establishing the "Kinder" brand there, prior to the introduction of the Kinder Sorpresa chocolate eggs. Kinder Surprise eggs were introduced to the German market in 1974, and for many years this was the largest market for the product.
The toys are designed by both inside designers and external freelancers (for example the French artist André Roche based in Munich) and manufactured by many companies worldwide, such as Produzioni Editoriali Aprile, a small company based in Turin, Italy, run and founded by two brothers, Ruggero and Valerio Aprile.
Kinder Eggs are sold all over the world excluding the United States, as the 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act contains a section highlighting that a confectionary product with a non-nutritive object, partially or totally imbedded within it, cannot be sold within the United States, unless the FDA issues a regulation that the non-nutritive object has functional value. No such regulation has been issued. [2]
In 1997, the staff of the CPSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, examined and issued a recall for some Kinder Surprise illegally brought into the US with foreign labels. [3]
In Europe they have become a minor cult phenomenon among adults. There is even a thriving collector's market for the toys. This is especially true in Germany, where the manufacturer includes higher-quality toys than those available elsewhere. There are many types of toys available, but some of the most popular with collectors include the ever-changing series of small hand-painted figures (some have to be assembled), which are said to be in every seventh egg (ad slogan: "Jetzt in jedem siebten Ei"); cartoon characters (sometimes called "stick figures", which is a mistranslation of the German "Steckfiguren"); metal figures and jigsaw puzzles. Seasonal eggs are introduced around the holidays, such as the limited-edition creche collections (featuring such characters as the three kings, baby Jesus, and assorted barnyard animals) found around Christmas, and the huge ones found at Easter (extremely popular in Italy).
A relatively new innovation, triggered by the advent of the Internet, is the introduction of "Internet surprises". Accompanying the toy is a small slip of paper containing a "Magicode". This code gives access to games at the Magic Kinder website, some for downloading, some for playing online.
Classification and identification
Classifying and identifying Kinder Surprise toys is a rather complex exercise. There are several different lines, and a number of different numbering systems have been used over the years. Until the 1990s, the toys were seldom numbered at all, which can make identification difficult (although some early toys, especially hand-painted figurines, have a Ferrero mark). Kinder history can be broadly split into two periods: pre-2004 and post-2004. The pre-2004 toys were made by Ferrero. But in 2004, a Luxembourg-based company called MPG (which stands for Magic Production Group) took over toy production, although Ferrero continues to make Kinder Surprise chocolate. Prior to 2004, but after 1990, three distinct lines emerge:
Pre-2004: German line
The German line of Kinder Surprise toys was sold only in Germany before 1992, and in Germany and Austria after 1992. In general, this line is regarded by Kinder aficionados as being superior in quality to other lines. The instruction papers for German toys are quite large and usually contain the name of the series on one side, and frequently, the name of the toy on the other side, which also has the assembly instructions. In addition, each German paper has a six-digit number that is unique to the specific toy. The toys themselves do not have these numbers, but almost always have a Ferrero mark. There does not appear to be any particular pattern to the German numbering system, but the first digit is always either 6 or 7.
Pre-2004: West European line
Until the early 2000s, this line (made by Ferrero Italy) was sold and distributed in all countries except Germany, Austria and countries where Kinder Surprise eggs are illegal (such as the USA[4]) or simply not available. From about 2001 however, it was restricted mainly to Western Europe, Japan and Hong Kong. The main distinguishing feature of this line is the use of "K numbers" (e.g. K96 No. 1), which are found on both the toys and instruction papers. The two digits after the K represent the year of issue, while the subsequent number is the number of the specific toy. So K96 No. 1, for instance, would be toy No. 1 in the series issued in 1996. Toys with "K numbers" are sometimes referred to as "K toys". The toys tend to be less sophisticated than the ones in the German line. The papers are also a great deal more basic. They are essentially elongated strips that show the toys in the set on one side and have assembly instructions for the specific toy on the other. Unlike the German papers, they almost never have any writing on them. The "K" papers were accompanied by a separate white strip of paper with a standard safety warning in many languages. The first known "K" series was K91, while the last was K04, after which MPG introduced a brand-new numbering system.
In recent years, there have also been reproductions of older K toys, which Kinder collectors frequently refer to as "recasts".[5] These "recasts" first appeared in Poland, but soon spread to other Eastern European countries and eventually to Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia and New Zealand. They have very similar papers to the original releases, but the numbering is slightly different. For example, a "recast" of K93 No. 81 is simply numbered "No. 81". Both the toys and papers have this altered numbering. Recasts are not very popular with collectors, but they are nevertheless sought after by completists.
Pre-2004: Argentine/Brazilian line
This line only began in the earliest years of the 21st Century after Ferrero Argentina became a much bigger player on the Kinder Surprise scene. "Argentine" toys, as they are generally known, are basically K toys, but with some significant differences from their West European counterparts. The Argentine line is distributed in South America, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is also sold in Brazil, but Brazilian papers are different from the standard Argentine versions (see below). Although the "Argentine" line mostly resembles the West European line, there are often differences in how the toys are made. For instance, where a West European animal or character toy would have the eyes painted on, the Argentine equivalent would have eye stickers. Some Argentine toys have even been exclusive and never released in the West European line. For example, the jigsaw puzzle numbered K01 No. 122 was only ever released in the Argentine line and never issued in the West European line. It is consequently quite highly sought-after by European Kinder Surprise collectors. In more recent years, a series of jigsaw puzzles based on the Monster Hotel hand-painted series was also exclusive to the Argentine line.
Up to 2004, Argentine papers showed the toy series and assembly instructions on the same side, while the opposite side contained the multi-lingual safety warning that is printed on an entirely separate paper in the West European line. Initially, the papers were of rather poor quality and tore easily, but from the K02 series onwards, they were thickened up a bit, although they were still rather less robust than their European counterparts.
Post-2004: European MPG line
After MPG took over the production of Kinder Surprise toys, the German and European lines were merged so that the same toys were now distributed in all European countries. The numbering system was changed, as were the toys and papers. Instead of a "K" number or six-digit number, all toys now had a new type of number. In the first MPG year, toys were numbered C-x (e.g. C-1, C-2 etc.). In the second MPG season, the C was replaced by an S (so toys were now numbered S-1, S-2 and so forth). In the third and current season of MPG toys, S has been replaced by 2S (2S-1, 2S-2 etc.). The papers were made somewhat larger. The toys had the new numbering and an MPG mark instead of a Ferrero one.
But although the toy lines were merged, the papers have retained some significant regional differences. German papers still contain the series name, and often the toy name, in German. West European papers have no writing, but do contain a Magicode logo. East European papers are much the same as West European papers, but have no Magicode logo.
Post-2004: Argentine/Brazilian MPG line
Notwithstanding the merger of the German and European lines, there continues to be a separate Argentine line. MPG toys are included in this line, but sometimes have differences to their European counterparts, most notably in their stickers and the papers. The new Argentine papers are much bigger than before. In fact, they are the same size as the European papers. On one side, they show the toys in the series. The reverse side has two distinct parts: the assembly instructions (across the top) and the multi-lingual safety warning (bottom half). The Brazilian papers are much the same, but the safety warning section is yellow rather than white. Interestingly, some "K" toys (mainly from the K04 series, but also a set of speedboats from the K01 series) have been released in the Argentine/Brazilian line with MPG-style larger papers. Another curious feature of the Argentine line has been the release of a small number of "recasts" of old German toys. The papers are in the original Argentine pre-2004 style, but have the German six-digit numbers. The toys are much the same as the German originals, but in some cases, the colours have been changed.
Limited editions
In addition to the regular collectible toys, Kinder Surprise series generally contain special limited-edition sets. These sets tend to vary greatly between countries, with many variations in toys, but more especially papers, which tend to be unique to the specific countries in which the sets are released. Some sets are released in many countries, while others are only issued in one or two. A few types of limited editions are discussed below.
Hand-painted figurines
Hand-painted figurines are solid toys that generally do not require assembly. They are very popular with collectors. They can be broadly divided into two types: animal themes and cartoon characters. One of the earliest known hand-painted sets is the Super-Mini-Schlumpf-Parade (Super Mini Smurf Parade), issued in Germany in 1983. Hand-painted sets issued prior to 1990 tend to be very highly sought after, especially if, as in the case with the Smurfs, other collector groups are also interested. The earliest sets were released only in Germany and Italy, but after about 1993, they were released in many different countries, with papers unique to those countries. Even so, a small number of sets were only released in Germany, while others (such as the 1994 Panda Party) were issued in several European countries but not Germany. It is fair to say that some sets have seen wider distribution than others. For example the "Happy Hippo"-characters, created 1987 especially for the Kinder Surprise egg by the French designer André Roche, appeared not less than in 8 German series, the most popular of them having been "The Hipperium" (a send-up of the "Star Wars"-trilogy authorized by George Lucas) and the "Happy Hippo Talent Show", presented in over 20 European countries as a persiflage of the world wide popular TV casting shows. Until the advent of the MPG era, hand-painted sets were not numbered. However, MPG limited-edition sets have MPG numbers on both the toys and papers.[6]
"Steckfiguren"
The toys known in Germany as "Steckfiguren" are based primarily on cartoon characters. Some English-speaking collectors call them "stick figures", which is a correct translation only when using 'stick' as in 'stick with glue' or 'affix'. What is meant by this term is that these are figurines that come in kit form inside the egg. So unlike hand-painted figurines, they are not a single piece, but have to be assembled.[7] As with hand-painted figurines however, they were originally issued in Germany only. In the European and Argentine lines, they were assigned K numbers, but tend to be harder to find than other "K" toys and can command a similar premium to hand-painted figurines. This is especially true of the early German releases, which were usually based on Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Hanna-Barbera characters like The Flintstones and Yogi Bear tended to feature in the "K" series, although there were also two Peanuts sets (in the K94 and K00 series) and two Smurfs sets (in the K97 and K02 series).
Metal figures
There have been many sets of metal figures, the majority of them being soldiers, issued since late 1970. Most of these were issued in Germany, but some found their way to the West European line, where they were assigned "K" numbers. The last known metal figure set in the "K" line was a set of medieval figures released in the K98 series. There have been no metal figures issued since MPG took over the manufacture of Kinder Surprise toys.
Prohibition on sale or import into the United States
While Kinder eggs have been available in Canada since 1975, the product has never been allowed into the US for several reasons.
The 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act contains a section highlighting that a confectionery product with a non-nutritive object, partially or totally imbedded within it, cannot be sold within the United States, unless the FDA issues a regulation that the non-nutritive object has functional value.[8] Essentially, the 1938 Act bans “the sale of any candy that has imbedded in it a toy or trinket.” [9] (Products like Cracker Jack that contain inedible toys in the same package are not subject to the ban [citation needed]
It is not clear that Kinder Surprise indeed has an “imbedded” toy.[10] In 2012 the FDA re-issued their import alert stating “The imbedded non-nutritive objects in these confectionery products may pose a public health risk as the consumer may unknowingly choke on the object.” [11]
In 1989, Ferrero sought a regulation through a petition, but it was later withdrawn and no such regulation has been issued.
In 1997, the staff of the CPSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, examined and issued a recall for some Kinder Surprise illegally brought into the US with foreign labels. The staff determined that the toys within the eggs had small parts. The staff presumed that Kinder Surprise, being a chocolate product, was intended for children of all ages, including those under three years of age. On this basis, the staff took the position that Kinder Surprise was in violation of the small parts regulation and banned from importation into the US. [12]
However, no statute or regulation of the CPSC specifically addresses this category of products in the US.
It should be noted that wherever marketed and sold throughout the world, Kinder Surprise bears prominent warnings both on the outer and inner packaging advising the consumer that the toy is “not suitable for children under three years, due to the presence of small parts” and that “adult supervision is recommended.” [13]
Since the launch of Kinder surprise in 1974 there have been 2 publicly recorded choking fatalities associated with parts of a toy from the product, the last of which occurred in 1989. The official inquiries determined that these had been unfortunate fatalities and that there was no causal link between the incidents and the combination of the toy and the egg. [14] [15] [16] [17]
On January 10, 2011, it was reported that a Kinder egg was seized from a woman's car during a random inspection while entering the United States from Canada. She was informed that bringing the egg into the United States could result in a $300 fine.[4] Seizures such as that one, and even the prohibition of the product itself, have been cited on political blogs and web forums as an example of an overzealous application of law and an intrusion upon personal liberty.[18] The rationale against a ban of the product also takes the form that deaths have been too few for it to be considered a serious danger. Additionally, the argument is made that there should be a consistent standard in place, as several worse dangers are not regulated.[19]
Other Kinder Surprise egg types
In addition to the main line of Kinder eggs, giant-sized Kinder eggs known as "Maxi eggs" are also manufactured. They include toys bigger than the regular-sized ones.
In warmer climates, such as in Italy and Greece during summer, Kinder Eggs are not sold because of too high temperatures; the Kinder Merendero may then take the place of the Kinder Egg during these periods. They are sold under the name of Kinder Joy in Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Germany, Greece, India, Croatia, Indonesia, Israel, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, Hong Kong[20], Portugal, Colombia, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Argentina, Ukraine, Cameroon, the Middle East, Venezuela and various Latin American countries.
Video games
There have been two Kinder Surprise video games.[21] They are:
- Discover a World of Wonder (An educational game, tailored to the National Curriculum course, featuring the forthcoming Kinder Surprise toy range. This was offered to schools in the UK.)
- K.S.-n-Kickin
Notes
- ^ Kinder being the German word for "Children", as found in the loanword "kindergarten"
- ^ 1938 Food and Drug Act
- ^ CPSC Office of Information & Public Affairs, Release #97-172, August 18, 1997, “Kreiner Recall”
- ^ a b Kinder Surprise egg seized at U.S. border CBC News January 10, 2011
- ^ RECAST Toys 2000/2001 list!
- ^ "André ROCHE: Portfolio". Core77, Inc. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ In some cases, relatively rarely, the "Steckfigur" design incorporates the plastic shell that ordinarily just contains the surprise as a part of the actual snap-together surprise itself. With such designs, there are holes in the shell and the shell contains pieces which, to complete assembly of such designs, are to be plugged into those holes from the outside after taking these pieces out of the shell. In such cases, the colour of the plastic shell may also often differ from the usual yellow.
- ^ 1938 Food and Drug Act
- ^ New York Times, “Giants in Candy Waging Battle Over a Tiny Toy”, 9/28/97
- ^ Merriam-Webster Dictionary, definition of “imbedded”
- ^ FDA Import Alert 34-02 fda.gov
- ^ CPSC Office of Information & Public Affairs, Release #97-172, August 18, 1997, “Kreiner Recall”
- ^ Kinder Surprise Packaging Warning labels
- ^ Department of Trade and Industry Press Notice - 14 August 1985
- ^ House of Commons Sitting of 16 July 1985 - Confectionery
- ^ House of Commons Oral Answers to Questions - Trade and Industry - 6 December 1989
- ^ House of Commons Written Answers to Questions - Trade and Industry - 9 November 1989
- ^ United States of Ridiculous! politicalforum.com
- ^ The story of the AK47 and the egg A Creative Revolution, January 13, 2011
- ^ Sold as new design
- ^ Advertising in Computer Games Big Future Ltd.
External links
- Magic Kinder Official website.
- Open Directory Kinder Surprise section
- Kinder Eggs prohibited in the United States