Health Canada announced today new measures that will include removing products from the marketplace that contact small, powerful magnets which threaten the safety of young children.
The announcement comes just weeks after a 16×9 investigation found the magnets posed an extreme danger when swallowed by children. The magnetic pull in the beads is so strong that if more than one is swallowed they can connect inside the body, tearing through tissue and organs.
Authorities in the U.S have already taken action by stopping the manufacturing, importing and selling of the product across the United State, but, at the time, Health Canada said it was assessing the risk.
Health Canada turned down our original request for an interview but provided a statement instead:
“Health Canada recommends that magnetic toys using powerful magnets never contain loose magnets that are small enough to be swallowed.”
Today, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said these magnets pose a danger to children.
“I’m proud to announce that we will soon be taking steps to remove products from the marketplace that contain small, powerful magnets that put the safety of our children at risk.”
You can watch our full investigation below:
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