The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·22101·Announced 2022-03-17

HD Premier Recalls DigitDots Magnetic Balls Due to Ingestion Hazard

HD Premier is recalling DigitDots 3mm and 5mm magnetic balls because swallowed magnets can lodge in the digestive system, causing perforation, blockage, infection, and potentially death. Four children have required surgery to remove ingested DigitDots.

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: The source text explicitly documents two deaths from ingestion of high-powered magnets (though not DigitDots brand specifically), and describes a hazard mechanism that can result in death. The presence of known fatalities related to the hazard category meets the Critical threshold.

Plain-English summary

HD Premier Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware is recalling DigitDots 3mm and 5mm magnetic balls sold online from March 2019 through January 2022. The recalled products are small neodymium rare-earth magnets sold in loose sets: 3mm magnets (512-count sets in multi-colors) and 5mm magnets (222-count silver sets or 224-count multi-color sets). They were sold in clear disposable packaging with a plastic carrying case, priced between $20 and $30, with approximately 119,620 units affected.

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

HD Premier is aware of four children who have ingested DigitDots and required surgery to remove the magnets. CPSC is also aware of reports of children and teenagers ingesting other companies' high-powered magnets and requiring surgery, including two deaths.

Consumers should stop using the recalled magnets immediately, remove them from children's access, and contact HD Premier at [email protected] or www.ilovedigitdots.com (click "Recall Notice") to receive a prepaid return label. Upon return, consumers will receive a refund.

The recalled product

Product
DigitDots 3mm and 5mm Magnetic Balls
Manufacturer
HD Premier Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware
Category
Consumer Product — Magnetic balls / toys
Hazard
  • magnet-ingestion
  • intestinal-perforation
  • intestinal-blockage
  • internal-bleeding
Affected units
119,620

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same category