Health Canada warns of magnet sets previously available on buckyballsshop.com may pose serious health risks
Summary
Immediately stop using these products, check that all pieces are accounted for, and dispose of them.
Affected products
This alert involves the following products:
- Original 5MM 216PCS Red Buckyballs
- 8PCS Silicone Magnetic Balls – Sensory Fidget Roller Set
Issue
These sets contain small, powerful magnets that can be easily swallowed by children of all ages, posing serious and potentially life-threatening risks.
When more than one powerful magnet is swallowed in a short period of time, the magnets can attract one another while moving through the intestines. This can cause the intestines to twist, creating blockages or tearing of the intestinal walls. Swallowing more than one magnet can damage gastrointestinal tissues and can require emergency surgical treatment, resulting in possible long-term health effects and even death.
What you should do
Consumers who have these magnets sets should immediately stop using them, check that all pieces are accounted for, and safely dispose of the products.
Regularly check the Healthy Canadians Recalls and Safety Alerts database for dangerous products and take action to remove items of concern.
Health Canada would like to remind consumers to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of these products or any other consumer product or cosmetic by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.
Related links
- Buying consumer products online
- Online consumer product guides
- Magnet safety
- Toy safety tips
- Danger to human health or safety assessment for products containing small powerful magnets - Canada.ca
Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using social media tools.
Additional information
What is being done
Health Canada's sampling and evaluation program has determined that the magnets do not meet the performance criteria assessed for small powerful magnets set out in Table 3 of the general prohibitions under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. They exceeded the maximum allowable limit of magnetic force and posed an ingestion hazard.
The products were originally available for purchase online and they have since been removed from sale from the website buckyballsshop.com. Health Canada has contacted the foreign selling company who has been unresponsive to requests to voluntarily recall, therefore Health Canada is advising consumers to immediately stop using these magnet sets. Health Canada reminds consumers to learn about the risks of buying consumer products online (see Related Links above).
Magnetic toy products sold in Canada must not pose a danger and must meet the requirements of the Toys Regulations of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Health Canada has provided guidance regarding Buying consumer products online and Magnet safety.
To date, no incidents or injuries related to these products have been reported to Health Canada.
Health Canada is committed to helping protect consumers from potentially dangerous consumer products. The Department regularly tests consumer products available for sale in stores or online and continues to monitor products to help keep consumers safe.
Details
Manufacturer
Buckyballsshop
Wucheng District, Jinhua City
Zhejiang, China
Place of Origin
Manufactured in China
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