High-powered magnets are a safety risk to children — toddler through teen. Injuries due to ingestion and inhalation are increasing, serious and sometimes fatal.
When two or more magnets are swallowed, they attract each other internally. Many incidents have resulted in surgeries to remove the magnets. When a magnet has to be removed surgically, it also can require repairing the child's damaged stomach and intestines.
If you suspect magnets have been swallowed:
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Medical symptoms to watch for are: abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• In X-rays, multiple magnetic pieces may appear as a single object.
These high-powered magnets are not the magnets off your grandfather's refrigerator door. They are up to eight times stronger than magnets that are used in toys.
Attention: Magnet Sets Final Rule Vacated by Federal Court; Removed from Code of Federal Regulations. Please see Federal Register Notice for more Information.
CPSC staff Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) briefing package, October 18, 2021.
Commission staff published an informational briefing package on magnet sets in June 2020.
Notices of Magnet Violations
CPSC issues a Notice of Violation (NOV) when it determines a company has violated a mandatory standard. The NOV advises the company of the violation and specifies the appropriate corrective action.
The chart below shows notice violations to companies that marketed their magnetic balls and cubes to children in violation of federal safety standards for toys and recalls.
| Product Name | Sold By | Company or Seller Location | Magnet Color and Shape | e-commerce Sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesun Magnetic Cube | Wesun | China | Silver Cube | Amazon |
| Raleighsee Magnetic Cube | Raleighsee | China | Multicolor Sphere | Amazon |
| Magnetic Cube | LT-Five-a | China | Silver Cube | Amazon |
| Miss Sang Magnetic Block | Pangukaitian | China | Multicolor Sphere | Amazon |
| Magnetic Balls | Stanaway | Soledad, California | Silver Sphere | Amazon |
| Rolytoy Magnetic Cube | DNYCF | China | Silver Cube | Amazon |
| Elf Queen Magnetic Block | Flirtatious Queen | China | Silver Sphere | Amazon |
| Ucslife Magnetic Cube Puzzle Toy | TDSER | China | Silver Cube | Amazon |
| Armadra Magnetic Cubes Puzzle | Armadra | China | Silver Cube | Amazon |
| Wybam Magnetic Cube | Xiyangyang | China | Green Sphere | Amazon |
| Likee Upgraded 5mm 216 Pieces Magnets Sculpture Building Blocks Toys | Oslet | China | Silver Sphere | Amazon |
| Playmags Magna Balls | Toys 4 USA NY LLC | Brooklyn, New York | Silver Sphere | Amazon |
| Evermarket Magnetic Sculpture Puzzle Toy | Bargain-More | China | Multicolor Sphere | Amazon |
| Rainbean Magnetic Cube | Rainbean | China | Silver Cube | Amazon |
| Actoper Upgraded 5mm 512 Pcs + 6 Pcs Silver Magnets Sculpture Building Blocks Toys | Actoperdirect | China | Silver Sphere | Amazon |
| MagneBalls | T&M Magnetics | Miami, Florida | Multicolor Sphere | Amazon |
| Magnetic Balls | Ixir Technologies | Hackensack, New Jersey | Multicolor Sphere | Walmart |
| Magic Magnetic Ball | GearBest.com | China | Red Sphere | GearBest.com |
| 6mm MAGNET PUZZLE GADGET | Deal Extreme (dx.com) | China | Silver Sphere | dx.com |
| 5mm Magnetic Balls | Miniinthebox.com | China | Blue Sphere | Miniinthebox.com |
Recalls and News
Zen Magnets and Neoballs Magnets Recalled Due to Ingestion Hazard (Aug. 17, 2021)
Star Networks USA Recalls Magnicubes (Aug. 4, 2014)
High Powered Magnet Balls Recalled by SCS Direct (Jan. 31, 2013)
Buckyballs and Buckycubes Refunds Now Available (July 17, 2014)
Kringles Toys and Gifts Recalls High Powered Magnets (Jan. 31, 2013)
CPSC Sues Star Networks USA Over Hazardous, High-Powered Magnetic Balls and Cubes (Dec. 19, 2012)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Magnet Sets (Sept. 4, 2012)
CPSC Sues Zen Magnets Over Hazardous, High-Powered Magnetic Balls (Aug. 6, 2012)
CPSC Sues Maxfield & Oberton Over Hazardous Buckyballs, Buckycubes (July 25, 2012)
CPSC Warns High-Powered Magnets and Children Make a Deadly Mix (Nov. 10, 2011)
Regulations
CPSC accepted the industry ASTM F963 manufacturing standard as a mandatory toy standard in February 2012. The mandatory standard took effect June 12, 2012.
Where can I find additional information?
For more information, please contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Office of Compliance (for specific enforcement inquires): email: section15@cpsc.gov; telephone: (800) 638-2772.
- Small Business Ombudsman (for general assistance understanding and complying with CPSC regulations): e-mail: Please use our Contact Form, which is the best way to get a fast response; telephone: (888) 531-9070.
