Indigo Books & Music is voluntarily recalling powerful magnetic spheres and 4 x 4 magnetic squares that can be used to build sculptures and shapes because of a risk assessment conducted by Health Canada.
The government has determined that the sets are a “danger to human health and safety because they contain small powerful magnets which can be easily swallowed or inhaled by children.” Similar products have been recalled and banned in the United States.
The tiny magnets do not pass through the digestive system. When more than one magnet is swallowed, they pinch together, create blockages in the GI tract, and can tear through intestinal walls, causing perforations. This can be life-threatening and can cause serious long-term health problems. There have no reports of consumer incidents or injuries relating to these products.
The products were sold from August 2014 to October 2014. They were manufactured in China. The manufacturer is Zorbitz Inc. of California, and the retailer is Indigo Books & Music Inc., based on Toronto.
The products come in a clear plastic box and are sold with the description “magnetic toy and stress reliever.” The UPC number for the Magnetic Spheres is 811200013833, and the UPC number for the Magnetics 4 x 4 is 811200013819. About 1,289 units of these products were sold in Canada.
Stop using these sets immediately and return the product to Indigo Books & Music. No receipt is required. The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits recalled products from being redistributed, sold, or even given away. For more information, see the government’s page on magnets.
