Consumer product agency issues warning on small magnetic balls linked to deaths

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns of the danger of powerful, pea-sized magnets found in toys, announcing a company's recall of a set that contained the magnets and saying it is aware of seven deaths as consequence of its ingestion.

The federal agency estimates that ingestion of the magnets led to 2,400 hospital emergency room visits between 2017 and 2021, in addition to deaths, two of which occurred outside the United States.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled magnetic balls and remove them from children,” the commission said in an online notice. Each ball is made of rare earth metals and measures five millimeters.

The safety committee said the magnets were stronger than allowed by federal toy regulations and could kill children if two or more are swallowed because they can attract each other in the stomach, perforate the intestinal walls and twist and/or block – which can lead to infection. and blood poisoning.

The Neodymium Magnetic Balls recalled Thursday were sold by North Carolina company XpressGoods from July 2021 to May 2022 and made in China, the agency said. The company said the company was offering full refunds and reaching out directly to buyers of the approximately 700 units sold.

A spokeswoman for the commission told The New York Times that five other companies that also sold the magnetic balls had declined to issue recalls, so they warned consumers.

The committee did not say who manufactures the balls.

XpressGoods did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Saturday.