HUNDREDS of toys sold at Sainsbury’s and Argos have been urgently recalled due to a “serious” choking risk to children just hours before Christmas.
Orchard Toys is pulling its Jungle Heads & Tails toy as small parts are accessible.
The Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) said: “The product presents a serious risk of choking as the elephant has a cardboard disc which should have been removed from the nose as part of the manufacturing process.
“This disc is a small part.
“Small parts pose a choking hazard to young children, particularly those under 36 months of age who have a natural tendency to explore objects by placing them in their mouths.
“The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.”
In a corrective action notice, the OPSS added: “The product has been recalled from end users.
“Consumers are advised to stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach of small children.
“Return the product to the distributor or to Orchard Toys for redress.”
The batch code affected is labelled SP/001639/058/17.03.25.
In its recall notice, Sainsbury’s added: “If you have purchased one of the above products with the affected batch code, please visit www.orchardtoys.com/jungleheadsnotice to arrange a replacement, credit voucher or refund.
“Customers should remove and retain the box flap detailing the batch code, and dispose of the product.
“Alternatively, customers can return the product to Sainsbury’s for a full refund.”
No other batches of Jungle Heads & Tails or any other Orchard Toys branded product are affected by the recall notice.
Orchard Toys has apologised for the inconvenience.
Your product recall rights
Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know.
Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
