A popular baby teething toy that is sold on Amazon has been recalled after it was blamed for more than 30 reported choking incidents.
The Chinese-made Yetonamr Pull String Teething Toy, a Montessori toy that is touted as one that helps babies improve sensory ability and motor skills, is being recalled nationwide after the US Consumer Product Safety Commission determined the product poses a serious risk of choking and potential death to young children.
“The silicone strings can reach the back of the throat and become lodged, posing a risk of respiratory distress, serious choking hazard and death,” the CPSC said in its recall statement on Thursday.
The recall, announced on Thursday, affects about 6,800 units of the toy, which consists of silicone strings, soft push buttons, and three free-spinning rings.
The toy was sold exclusively on Amazon between June and October of last year for prices ranging from $10 to $16.
Regulators said the toy violates mandatory federal safety standards because its silicone pull strings are too small, allowing them to be fully inserted into a child’s mouth and potentially lodge in the throat.
The CPSC said it has received 32 reports of choking incidents involving the toy. It was not clear if any of the choking victims died as a result.
The recalled product is an off-white, disc-shaped teething toy with a central ball — either red or blue — and six long, multicolored silicone pull strings extending from the sides.
The toy also includes free-spinning rings and soft push buttons and was marketed as a Montessori-style educational product for babies and toddlers.
Packaging for the toy is labeled with “Model no. 688-59,” according to the recall notice.
Montessori is a back-to-basics approach to teaching kids that emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing children to explore on their own.
“Montessori-style” toys, which are often devoid of batteries or electronics, are designed to help babies and toddlers build motor skills, coordination and independence.
The recall also highlights ongoing challenges facing regulators as e-commerce platforms increasingly serve as gateways for foreign sellers shipping products directly to American households.
While Amazon did not manufacture the toy, the platform has faced growing scrutiny from the CPSC over its role in allowing unsafe products to reach consumers.
In recent years, the agency has argued that online marketplaces should bear responsibility for hazardous goods sold by third-party sellers on their sites.
The Post has sought comment from Amazon.
