Eco-Novelty Recalls Jumbo Size and Jumbo Multipurpose Cosmo Beads Toys Due to Serious Ingestion Hazard

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO )

Recall Summary

Name of Product: Water-absorbing polymer beads

Hazard: The hard and colorful toy can be easily mistaken for candy by a child. When the bead is ingested, it expands and can cause intestinal obstructions inside a child's body, resulting in severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and could be life threatening. The toys need surgery to be removed from the body. Similar toys have not shown up on x-rays.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Eco-Novelty for a refund.

Consumer Contact: Eco Novelty Corp. at (231) 222-4200 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or e-mail [email protected].

Photos are available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Eco-Novelty-Recalls-Jumbo-Size-and-Jumbo-Multipurpose-Cosmo-Beads-Toys

Recall Details

Units: About 3,500

Description: Cosmo Beads Jumbo Size Colorful Water Balls and Jumbo Multipurpose Colorful Water Balls toys are being recalled. The toys are water absorbing beads that when placed in water will hydrate up to the size of a racquetball. On the front of the toy packages it states Cosmo Beads ™ Colorful Water Balls, Just Add Water, Biodegradable, Non-toxic and Colorfast.  The packages have yellow and black color on the upper left corner and red in the lower right corner. The beads can be seen through an oval, cellophane window near the bottom of the package.

Cosmo Beads Jumbo Size were sold as single packets of beads in various colors: clear, green, purple, red and mixed colors. Each packet contains a variety of bead sizes. The front of the Jumbo Size package has a picture of a hand holding two water balls and the words "Grows up to 600X (1.5") Size." 

Cosmo Beads Jumbo Multipurpose came in three packets per set.  Each packet contains beads in one size and comes in clear, dark purple and orange colors. The front of the Jumbo Multipurpose packet has a picture of flowers in a glass vase and the words "Deco Centerpiece: Toys-Games: Plant-Vacation watering."

Incidents/Injuries: None reported. CPSC is aware of one incident where an 8-month-old girl ingested a similar water-absorbing polymer ball that had to be surgically removed.

Sold at: Amazon.com, ifleemarket.com and crystalsoilusa.com from June 2011 through August 2013 for between $2 and $20.

Importer: Eco-Novelty Corp., of Troy, Mich.  

Manufactured in: China

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

Media Contact
Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission