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Consumer product recall

Indigo Books & Music Inc. recalls Magnetics Spheres and Magnetics 4 x 4

Starting date:
October 21, 2014
Posting date:
October 21, 2014
Type of communication:
Consumer Product Recall
Subcategory:
Household Items, Toys
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Physical Hazard
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-41863

Affected products

Magnetics Spheres and Magnetics 4 x 4

Product description

This recall involves small powerful magnetic spheres and 4 x 4 magnetic squares that can be used to build sculptures, puzzles, patterns, or shapes.  These magnet sets come in a clear plastic box and are sold with the description: magnetic toy and stress reliever.  The products can be identified by the following UPC code:

  • Magnetics Spheres UPC 811200013833,
  • Magnetics 4 x 4 UPC 811200013819.

Hazard identified

Indigo Books & Music Inc. is voluntarily recalling these products from the market in response to a risk assessment conducted by Health Canada.

The risk assessment on these magnet sets has informed Health Canada’s determination that they are a danger to human health and safety because they contain small powerful magnets which can be easily swallowed or inhaled by children.  Unlike other small objects that would be more likely to pass normally through the digestive system if swallowed, when more than one small powerful magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract one another while travelling through the digestive system.  The magnets can then pinch together and create a blockage and slowly tear through the intestinal walls, causing perforations.

The results of swallowing small powerful magnets can be very serious and life-threatening.  Swallowing incidents have often resulted in considerable damage to the gastrointestinal tissues and required emergency surgical treatment.  For survivors, there can be serious long-term health consequences.

Neither Indigo Books & Music Inc. nor Health Canada has received reports of consumer incidents or injuries related to the use of this product.

For more information on the danger or swallowing magnets, please see Health Canada’s page on Magnets.

Number sold

Approximately 1,289 units of the affected products were sold in Canada.

Time period sold

The recalled products were sold from August 2014 to October 2014.

Place of origin

Manufactured in China.

Companies

Manufacturer

Zorbitz Inc.

Los Angeles

California

UNITED STATES

Retailer

Indigo Books & Music Inc.

Toronto

Ontario

CANADA

Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)



What you should do

Consumers should stop using the recalled magnet sets immediately and return the product to Indigo Books & Music Inc. for a full refund, no receipt required.  For more information, consumers may contact Indigo Books & Music Customer Relations at 1-416-263-5002, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, by email or 1-800-832-7569 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

Please note that the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits recalled products from being redistributed, sold or even given away in Canada.

Health Canada would like to remind Canadians to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product or any other consumer product or cosmetic by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.