The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·21179·Announced 2021-08-17

Zen Magnets and Neoballs Magnets Recalled Due to Ingestion Hazard

Zen Magnets and Neoballs high-powered spherical magnets are being recalled because swallowing multiple magnets can cause intestinal perforation, blockage, and death. About 10 million magnets sold individually and in sets since January 2009 are affected.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: A 19-month-old child died after ingesting similar high-powered magnets, as reported in the source text. Under the severity rubric, the existence of reported deaths results in a Critical (score 5) classification regardless of other factors.

Plain-English summary

Zen Magnets LLC is recalling all Zen Magnets and Neoballs magnets. These are high-powered 5 mm spherical magnets sold individually and in sets containing 72, 216 (with 6 spares), or 1,728 magnets (with 8 spares). Neoballs were also sold in various colors including silver, gold, red, orange, green, blue, and purple. Approximately 10 million magnets have been distributed.

When two or more of these high-powered magnets are swallowed—whether accidentally or intentionally—they can attract to each other or to another metal object and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in intestinal perforations, twisting, blockage, infection, blood poisoning, and death.

The company is aware of two children who ingested Zen Magnets and required surgery to remove the magnets and parts of their intestines and bowels. The CPSC is aware of additional reports of children and teenagers ingesting high-powered magnets and requiring surgery. A 19-month-old girl died after ingesting similar high-powered magnets.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled magnets and contact Zen Magnets LLC for a refund at 1-844-936-6245, by email at [email protected], or online at www.zenmagnets.com/CPSC-Recall.

The recalled product

Product
Zen Magnets and Neoballs Magnets
Category
Consumer Product — Toys / Magnets
Hazard
  • magnet-ingestion
  • intestinal-perforation
  • intestinal-blockage
  • death
Affected units
10

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same category