About 21 million Miniverse “Make It Mini” toy sets were recalled in the U.S. on Tuesday, with one million more recalled in Canada, over reports of skin, eye and respiratory irritation and sensitization.
Health Canada issued the recall citing a “chemical hazard” to do with unused liquid resin found inside some of the sets. Though resin is safe in solid form, when a liquid, the material can cause injury and irritation to children and adults.
The Canadian health authority said it received one report of a skin allergy in connection with the toys. South of the border, American officials were notified of 26 injury cases, seven of which cited skin irritation. One American reported exposure to the Make It Mini toys triggered their asthma.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the resins contain acrylates in larger amounts than what is allowed within children’s toys as per the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
The recalled Miniverse sets include “Make It Mini Appliances,” all models and series of “Make It Mini Food” and “Make It Mini Lifestyle.”
Consumers have been advised to immediately stop using their Miniverse Make It Mini products.
The toys from MGA Entertainment have a cult following online, with hundreds of videos posted to TikTok unboxing the life-like, miniature items. The sets are buildable, collectable figurines that range in variety from tiny, functioning (albeit, inedible) boba milk tea drink dispensers and fingernail-sized bagels and lox.
The liquid resin, which later hardens, is included in some of the products and is often used to mimic food items, like cream cheese or peanut butter.
Miniverse products that are pre-assembled were not included in the recall.
The Miniverse sets were sold at Walmart, Toys R Us, Indigo, Showcase and Amazon, among other storefronts. They can range in cost from about $10 to $20.
Buyers should contact MGA Entertainment for instructions on how to return the recalled products for a replacement or refund. The company can be reached at 1-800-222-4685 or on its website, mgae.com.
MGA Entertainment also owns the popular LOL Surprise brand.