The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·13111·Announced 2013-01-31

Kringle Toys Recalls Nanospheres Magnetic Desk Toys Due to Ingestion Hazard

Kringle Toys and Gifts is recalling Nanospheres Magnetic Desk Toys because swallowed magnets can cause serious internal injuries. The products were sold exclusively on Amazon.com.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (high-powered magnets) where injury has not yet been reported for this specific item, but the potential for serious harm (death, sepsis) is explicitly stated in the hazard description.

Plain-English summary

Kringle Toys and Gifts, of American Fork, Utah, is recalling approximately 4,200 Nanospheres Magnetic Desk Toys. The products consist of a mass of 231 small, high-powered magnets, each about 5mm in diameter, contained in a circular metal canister. The magnets are silver, gold, or black and were sold as adult novelty items or desk toys with hazard warnings stating the intended age level is 14 years and older.

The recall is due to the risk that if two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto body tissues. This can cause intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis, and death. The firm has received no reports of incidents or injury involving this specific product, though CPSC has received 80 reports of incidents involving ingestion of other high-powered magnets, resulting in 79 reports seeking medical intervention.

The products were sold exclusively on Amazon.com from November 2010 through December 2011 for about $25 to $30. Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Kringle Toys and Gifts to arrange for a return and a full refund. Contact information is available via toll-free phone, email, or the company website.

The recalled product

Product
Nanospheres Magnetic Desk Toys
Manufacturer
Kringle Toys and Gifts, of American Fork, Utah
Category
Consumer Product — Toys
Hazard
Affected units
4,200

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

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