Two babies died after choking on toy ‘critters,’ feds say. Now there’s a huge recall
Two children died after choking on tiny toy figurines, prompting a nationwide recall, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Epoch Everlasting Play announced the recall of more than 3.2 million Calico Critters animal figures and sets sold with bottle and pacifier accessories, according to a notice published March 9.
Officials said the small pieces pose a choking risk to children.
A 2-year-old in New Mexico suffered a ”fatal incident” with the pacifier accessory in 2018, and a 9-month-old also died in Japan in 2015.
The toys, sold between January 2000 and December 2021, were sold at Walmart, Meijer and other U.S. stores, the notice says. They were also purchased online at Calico Critters’ website and Amazon.com.
The mini animal figures come with their own “homes, furniture and accessories,” and cost between $10 and $80, according to the CPSC. Officials advised parents to take the recalled items away from their kids immediately and contact Epoch Everlasting Play to receive a free replacement.
Consumers will need to send in a photo of the recalled bottle or pacifier accessory, along with their contact information and proof of destruction, the commission said.
The affected lot includes more than two dozen item numbers featuring toys sets that came with the colorful bottle and pacifier accessories. The full list can be found here.
For more information, consumers can contact Epoch Everlasting Play at 800-631-1272 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or email at productsafety@epocheverlastingplay.com.
This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 3:00 PM.