CPSC, Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc. Announce Recall of Grocery Frozen Food Case Heaters
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall (2004-06-16). Models: 51957100. About 16,000 units in the US.
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
|---|---|
| Recall number | 04163 |
| Published | 2004-06-16 |
| Last updated | 2025-02-25 |
| Product category | Electric Heaters |
| Products | Defrost heaters used in grocery store frozen food cases |
| Firm named in the title | Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc. |
| Firms | Electro-Heat Inc., of Allegan, Mich. (manufacturer); Tyler Refrigeration, of Waxahachie, Texas, a division of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc., of Charlotte, N.C. (manufacturer) |
| Manufactured in | United States |
| Units (US) | 16,000 |
| Model numbers | 51957100 |
| Remedy classes | replace |
| Trade facets | hvac |
| Sold | Grocery stores nationwide use these wide island frozen food end cap cases with defrost heaters to display food items. The cases with heaters were sold by Tyler Refrigeration, from the mid-1970s to the present. |
Description
The recalled defrost heater was used in Tyler's "wide island" frozen food end cap cases in grocery stores. The recalled defrost heaters (which are not visible to consumers) are Electro-Heat Defrost Heater Model 51957100. The Tyler wide island frozen food end cap cases with the recalled heaters are models NCE, NFE, NGE, NCGE, NFJEA, NCJEA, NCJGEA and NFJGEA. The model and serial number is located on the data plate, which is on the front inner panel of the case.
Hazard
Moisture building up pressure inside the defrost heater can cause it to forcefully eject from the frozen food case, possibly injuring bystanders.
Remedy
Tyler will replace the recalled defrost heater with a Cal-rod hairpin style heater in all wide island frozen food and ice cream end cap cases.
Incidents and injuries
Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc. has reports of four incidents where the defrost heater forcefully ejected and, in two instances, the defrost heater penetrated through the end of the frozen food case. In one incident, a consumer's leg was broken.
Machine access
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Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice (US Government work). Not affiliated with or endorsed by CPSC. Structured by Data Foundry (product-recall-structuring@2); last changed 2026-09-28. Always confirm with the agency notice.