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Starbucks announced it is cooperating with federal regulators by recalling 167,000 coffee mugs imported from China because they pose a burn hazard to consumers when filled with hot liquid.

Starbucks has received 23 reports from U.S. consumers who purchased their Fusion Coffee Mug and said the handle broke off it when it was filled with coffee. Nine of those consumers reported minor burns as a result of the spill.

"Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed," said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The coffee mugs are white and have a black plastic handle and a stainless steel base.

Starbucks is offering customers a 100% refund for returning the defective mugs.

The news of the problem coffee mugs comes as U.S. consumers have become wary of goods imported from China because of a series of recalls. Mattel for instance, had to recall China-made toys that contained toxic lead paint.

The cup recall is also reminiscent of a well-known product liability lawsuit against McDonald's. In that case, a jury awarded $2.9 million to a woman who burned herself with hot coffee she bought at the fast food chain in 1992.

Reference:

"Starbucks Recalls China-Made Mugs," TheStreet.com, Nat Worden, December 2007.