Magnet Balls Recalled due to Ingestion Risks

Allowing children to play with small, but highly powerful magnet balls can prove to be risky, authorities at the U.S. Consumer Product Commission warn parents.

Citing the hidden risks associated with the product, the Commission recently announced a voluntary recall of magnetic ball puzzles manufactured by SCS Direct Inc., based in Straford.

According to CPSC, when children swallow several magnets, they attach to each other inside their system. They cause the internal soft tissues to get caught up between them, leading to many severe health problems, including intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and even death.

Nearly 106,000 units of the magnet balls sold at online shops of Amazon, between August 2010 and May 2012 have been affected by this recall. The magnet balls, both the "Original and Rainbow" interactive magnetic sets that come in cylindrical silver tins have been included in the current recall. Each set includes 216 sphere-shaped magnets.

Though the company is yet to receive any complaints related to the product, the Commission wants to remove the product from the shelves, citing the previous 80 incidents of small children swallowing similar powerful magnets.

The recall notice urged consumers to stop using the product and to approach the company for receiving a $20 store credit.

Any complaints regarding the product can be filed at the Consumer Product Safety Commission's official website- SaferProducts.gov.