TORONTO – The Harper government issued its first mandatory recall for a consumer product Friday.
NeoMagnetic Gadgets Inc., a Montreal-based magnetic company, was ordered to recall their novelty magnetic sets and stop sales immediately. The sets are small magnets that can easily be swallowed by children.
Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq announced that the government would take the action.
The magnetic company has openly agreed to the order, and a recall notice was published on Health Canada’s website.
Typically, if a company refused to comply with mandatory recall orders, it can face fines of up to $25,000 until the product is removed.
In the past there have been cases of children needing surgical treatment to remove swallowed magnets. Multiple magnets swallowed increases the difficulty in removing them as they move through the digestive system. This can cause twisted intestines and torn intestinal walls. For survivors, there can be serious lifelong health problems.
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