CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using Mei Xiang/MXYY Magnetic Chess Games Due to Ingestion Hazard; Violation of Federal Safety Regulations for Magnet Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of the Mei Xiang/MXYY Magnetic Chess Game 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 magnets that fit within CPSC’s small parts cylinder, and the magnets are stronger than permitted.  

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 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, Mei Xiang/MXYY, but the firm has not agreed to recall the Magnetic Game or offer a remedy to consumers.

The games were sold in a blue box with the words “Magnetic” and “Magnetic Chess Intellectual Strategy Game” on the front of the box. The game includes about 20 loose black magnets, a blue foam “game board”, a yellow string, and a clear plastic drawstring storage bag with a cartoon of a bear and the words “Popular Broun” on the front of the bag and the words “Especially for You” on the back of the bag. CPSC identified this violation as a result of import surveillance.  Based upon its review of similar products, CPSC believes the magnet games were sold online at www.amazon.com for about $12.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the magnet chess games 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.