Following reports of two children coughing up pieces of a Hello Kitty themed toy that was part of the McDonald's Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal from October through November, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a recall of the toy. Small parts come off and pose a choking hazard to young children.
The Hello Kitty Birthday Lollipop toy whistle is about three inches tall and made of detachable parts that can be accidentally swallowed and choked on when children play with them.
One of the children who was involved in the safety issues reportedly needed medical attention when pieces of the toy were accidentally swallowed.
The toys were manufactured in China. Although 2.3 million were made for the U.S. and 200,000 units distributed in Canada, not all the toys necessarily reached stores.
"The recalled whistles are red and were included in a plastic Hello Kitty figurine holding a pink heart-shaped lollipop. The whistle can be removed and used to make sounds by inhaling or exhaling through the mouthpiece. When closed, the figurine measures about 3 inches in height and width and 1 3/4 inches in depth," the CPSC describes the product.
McDonald's reports that it has recovered 1.6 million toy whistles and is urging customers both in the U.S. and Canada to return the Hello Kitty whistles to any McDonald's restaurant for a free replacement toy, tube of yogurt, or bag of apple slices.
The toys in question were distributed with kids' meals from October through the first week of November. Parents are urged to immediately take away the toy from their young children and return it immediately to McDonald's.
