TARGET is recalling children's and women's denim jeans which may contain traces of a cancer causing dye.
The product recall covers more than 40 lines including:
Kid's & Infant's: Denim wrinkle pant, Boys walk short, Babywear relaxed denim jean.
Ladieswear: Moda dark wash basic jean, Dark indigo bootleg jean.
The products being recalled were sold nationally at Target and Target Country stores as well as online through Target's website.
Customers should stop using the product and return it to a Target store to obtain a full refund of the purchase price.
According to the product recall, the dye stuff used during the production of these products may have contained hazardous azo dyes.
Azo dyes are a large class of very effective synthetic dyes used for colouring a variety of consumer goods such as foods, cosmetics, carpets, clothes, leather and textiles.
A small proportion of azo dyes can contain, or can break down to form, a class of chemical substances referred to as ‘aromatic amines’.
Certain aromatic amines have been classified as suspected human carcinogens. Prolonged contact with the skin increases risk.
The product recall states, "Target Australia is initiating this action as it does not meet Target Australia strict quality assurance standards.
"Whilst this dye stuff is not banned for textile use in Australia, expert authorities classify these azo-colourants as carcinogens.
"Exposure to these chemicals should be minimised."
Retailers Myer, Just Jeans, Rivers, Pillow Talk and Trade Secret have also recalled products believed to be tainted by azo-colourants.
For full details on recalled products affected by azo dyes visit www.recalls.gov.au