CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using Magnetic Ferrite Stones Due to Ingestion Hazard; Violation of the Federal Safety Regulation for Magnet Toys; Sold by UYPEA

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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Jul 18, 2024, 10:07 ET

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of magnetic ferrite stones sold by UYPEA because the loose, hazardous magnets pose a risk of serious injury or death if ingested by children.

CPSC testing determined the magnets do not comply with the requirements of the mandatory federal regulation for magnet toys because they contain one or more strong magnets that fit within CPSC's small parts cylinder.

When high-powered magnets are swallowed, 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/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning and death.

CPSC estimates 2,400 magnet ingestions were treated in hospital emergency departments annually from 2017 through 2021. CPSC is aware of eight deaths since 2005 involving the ingestion of hazardous magnets, including two outside of the United States.

CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller, UYPEA, of China, but the firm has not agreed to recall the magnetic ferrite stones or offer a remedy to consumers.

The toy contains over 600 pieces that are small, loose and separable magnetic ferrite stones sold enclosed in clear, plastic wrapping with a "Warning" label and in a portable, tin storage case. The magnetic ferrite stones were sold online at www.amazon.com for about $22 and possibly by other online and in store retailers.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the magnetic ferrite stones immediately, take them away from children, and dispose of them.

Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
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- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.

Release Number: 24-305

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission