NeoCube Magnet Sets
- Starting date:
- August 22, 2013
- Posting date:
- August 22, 2013
- Type of communication:
- Consumer Product Recall
- Subcategory:
- Household Items, Toys
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Product Safety
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-35119
Affected products
NeoCube Magnet Sets
Product description
Small, powerful, rare earth, magnetic balls and cubes that can be used to build sculptures, puzzles, patterns, or shapes, including any of the following models:
- NeoCube Alpha, Model NCB01
- CubeTastic Value Pack, Model NCB02
- NeoCube - G, Model NCBG
- NeoCube Omega, Model NCBOX
- NeoCube Mini, Model NCBM
Hazard identified
Strong Force 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 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.
For more information on the danger of swallowing magnets, please see Magnets.
Number sold
It is estimated that more than 10,000 units were sold to Canadians.
Time period sold
Sold online in Canada since December 1st, 2009.
Place of origin
Manufactured in China.
Companies
- Manufacturer
-
Ningbo Profit Magnetic Co. Ltd.
CHINA
- Distributor
-
Strong Force Inc.
Daisytown
Pennsylvania
UNITED STATES
Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)
What you should do
Consumers should stop using the recalled magnet sets immediately and contact their municipality for instructions on how to dispose of or recycle the recalled products.
Please note that the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits recalled products from being redistributed, sold or even given away in Canada.