THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 27, 1995 TAG: 9505270437
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Philip Morris USA halted sales of many cigarette brands Friday, including versions of top-selling Marlboro, and dispatched legions of sales representatives to collect up to 8 billion possibly tainted cigarettes.
The nation's biggest tobacco company said ``a small percentage'' of filters was contaminated and it doubted any were sold to the public, but could not be sure.
Philip Morris said the contamination occurred at a company from which it buys plasticizer, a material used to strengthen the cigarette filter. A chemical reaction triggered the formation of methyl isothiocyanate in the filter.
Cigarettes made with the defective filters may have an odor and leave a metallic or ``off'' taste, the company said.
It said the odor was discovered in raw materials on May 19. The cigarettes that could be affected were identified and held and the company said it found the presence of MITC in the filters by Wednesday.
More testing showed that other filters that didn't emit an odor were also contaminated, and the company decided on Friday to issue the recall.
The contamination could cause smokers such ``temporary discomfort'' such as eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness, coughing and wheezing or just leave a bad taste in the mouth, the company said.
The recall affected 36 package styles.
Philip Morris says consumers can return the packages to retailers for a refund. Company representatives will visit retailers to collect the packages and provide a certificate and poster saying the remaining Philip Morris products on the premises meet company quality standards.
Spokesman David Laufer said the recall could cost about $200 million and that the company has reserves to cover the expense. Philip Morris generated more than $11.1 billion in revenue from domestic tobacco sales last year and accounted for nearly 45 percent of all domestic cigarette sales.
James J. Morgan, president and chief executive of Philip Morris USA, described the recall as ``preemptive and precautionary'' because it's possible that none of the tainted cigarettes reached retailers.
The company said it had purged the contaminated material from its facilities, found replacement plasticizer from another source and is back in production.
The company said ``it will be only a matter of a few days'' before all of its brands will be available again across the country. MEMO: Philip Morris USA's list of 36 package styles recalled Friday:
Alpine Lights 100's Soft Pack
Basic 100's
Basic 100's Menthol
Basic Lights 100's
Basic Lights King Size
Basic Ultra Lights King Size
Benson & Hedges 100's Soft Pack
Benson & Hedges 100's Menthol Box
Benson & Hedges Lights 100's Soft Pack
Best Buy King Size Full Flavor
Bristol Lights 100's
Bronson King Size Full Flavor
Cambridge Lights 100's
Cambridge Ultra Lights 100's
Marlboro 100's Gold Box
Marlboro 100's Gold Soft Pack
Marlboro Lights 100's Gold Box
Marlboro Lights 100's Gold Soft Pack
Marlboro Lights Gold Box
Marlboro Lights Gold Soft Pack
Marlboro Lights Menthol Box
Marlboro Lights Menthol 100's Box
Marlboro Menthol Soft Pack
Marlboro Red Box
Marlboro Red Soft Pack
Merit 100's Soft Pack
Merit Ultra Lights King Size Soft Pack
Premium Buy Lights 100's
Premium Buy Lights King Size Menthol
Shield King Size Full Flavor
Virginia Slims 100's
Virginia Slims 100's Lights Menthol
Virginia Slims Lights 120's
Virginia Slims Super Slims
Virginia Slims Ultra Lights 100's
Virginia Slims Ultra Lights Menthol 100's by CNB