The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall for high-powered magnetic balls for the danger they pose if ingested by humans.
- Similar magnets can be found in certain promotional products.
- Ingestion of the magnets, often-times by children, has led to serious internal injuries and even death.
The Recall
On December 7, the CPSC ordered a recall of Colorfol Metal Neodymium Magic Magnetic Balls made by XpressGoods.
- According to testing conducted by the CPSC, this set of magnetic balls does not comply with the requirements of the mandatory federal toy regulation.
- They contain components that fit within the CPSC’s small parts cylinder, and the magnets are stronger than permitted.
The danger involved with children swallowing these magnets is severe, particularly if two or more are consumed. In such cases, the multiple magnets can attract each other and become lodged in the digestive system. Complications that may result in this scenario include:
- Perforations
- Twisting and/or blockage of the intestines
- Infection
- Blood poisoning
- Death
The CPSC warns that these toys should be taken away from children, and XpressGoods will send a prepaid label to return the products for a full refund.
- Approximately 2,400 magnet ingestions were treated in hospitals from 2017-2021, according to the CPSC.
- At least seven people died during that period from swallowing hazardous magnets.
This is one of several warnings the CPSC has issued in regard to magnetic balls posing danger to children.
Promo Perspective
Various promotional products include similarly small magnets. It’s important to understand the potential risks and the possibility of an enforced recall if compliance requirements are not met.
“This latest recall involving magnetic balls highlights the importance of due diligence in meeting the federally mandated standards for toys, as well as taking additional efforts to ensure products are safe for end users,” says Maurice Morris, public affairs manager for PPAI.
- The CPSC has resources available to help companies determine the relevant requirements for their products.
- PPAI also has guidance available to help members prepare for a recall, among other compliance-related topics.
“The Consumer Product Safety Commission also issued warnings regarding other magnetic ball sets due to numerous deaths associated with swallowing the small magnets,” Morris says. “Aside from choking hazards, another danger that can be posed by these items is, if the magnets are stronger than the safety regulation allows, they can stick together inside the digestive system.”
- In 2019, PPAI invited Dr. Kris Jatana, an ER doctor who operates on children who have swallowed toy magnets or button cell batteries, to speak at Product Responsibility Summit.