Target Sandals Recall: 211,000 Cat & Jack Toddler Sandals Pulled Over Choking Hazard
On July 16, 2026, Target announced a Target sandals recall covering about 211,000 pairs of Cat & Jack children’s sandals, working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after the shoes’ decorative pearls were found to detach. The problem is straightforward and serious: a small, hard bead that comes loose is exactly the kind of object a toddler can put in their mouth. The recall (CPSC number 26-629) is voluntary, and Target is offering full refunds to anyone who bought the affected sandals.
For families, the practical takeaway is simple. If you have these sandals in your home, stop using them, keep them away from young children, and take them back to Target for a refund. Below is a plain-language summary of what was recalled, why regulators consider it a safety risk, and how to check whether other products in your home have been recalled, too.
What was recalled
The recall covers Cat & Jack children’s sandals sold in tan. Each sandal has two raffia straps with gold-colored buckles and plastic pearls as decoration. According to the CPSC notice, the sandals were sold in children’s sizes 5T through 12T. The Cat & Jack name is printed on the sole and on the bottom of the shoe, which gives parents a quick way to confirm what they are holding.
- Product: Cat & Jack children’s sandals, tan, with raffia straps, gold buckles, and plastic pearls.
- Sizes: 5T through 12T.
- Units affected: About 211,000 pairs.
- Where sold: Target stores nationwide and online at target.com.
- Sold: January 2026 through May 2026.
- Price: About $20.
- Recall number: 26-629.
Cat & Jack is Target’s in-house children’s apparel brand, and these sandals were imported by Target, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The CPSC notice lists the sandals as manufactured in Cambodia. Because they were carried in Target stores across the country and online, the reach is broad, which is one reason the recall drew wide news coverage.
Why the Target sandals recall is a hazard
The hazard here is a choking risk. The CPSC states that the sandals’ decorative pearls can fall off, “posing a risk of serious injury or death from a choking hazard.” Small parts are one of the most common and most preventable dangers in products made for young children, which is why federal toy and children’s-product rules pay close attention to anything a child could detach and swallow.
To be clear about the current picture: Target has received 23 reports of the shoes’ pearls falling off, and no injuries have been reported. That is the kind of early-warning pattern recalls are designed to catch. A recall does not mean anyone has been hurt; it means a defect has been identified that could cause harm, and the responsible company is acting to remove the risk before an injury occurs. For a product worn by toddlers, a loose, bead-sized part is enough to justify pulling the item from shelves and closets alike.
What owners should do
The steps are quick and cost nothing. First, stop using the sandals immediately and take them away from children so a loose pearl cannot end up in a small hand or mouth. Do not try to glue or repair the pearls; the safe move is to return the product. Target is offering a full refund, and returns can be made at a Target store or by mail using a prepaid label.
What to do. Stop using the recalled Cat & Jack sandals right away, keep them away from young children, and return them to any Target store or by prepaid mail for a full refund. You do not need the original receipt to start the process.
If you are unsure whether the sandals in your home are covered, check the sole and bottom of the shoe for the Cat & Jack name, and confirm the tan color, raffia straps, gold buckles, and plastic pearls described in the recall. When in doubt, treat the pair as recalled and contact Target’s guest services or visit target.com for the recall details and refund instructions. It is always safer to return a questionable pair than to keep it in rotation.
How to check for recalls in general
Recalls move quickly, and the products in any household change over time, so it helps to build a simple habit of checking. The most reliable source in the United States is the CPSC itself, which publishes every recall it announces along with photos, model details, and the exact remedy each company is offering.
- Search the source: Visit cpsc.gov and use the Recalls section to search by product, brand, or hazard.
- Sign up for alerts: The CPSC offers free email notifications so new recalls come to you instead of you hunting for them.
- Register your products: Fill out the product registration cards that come with cribs, car seats, and other juvenile products so the manufacturer can reach you directly.
- Check before you gift or resell: Before passing along used children’s items, confirm they have not been recalled.
- Act on the exact remedy: Follow the specific instructions in the notice, whether that is a refund, a repair, or a “stop use” directive.
For parents and caregivers, a quick monthly scan of new recalls, paired with a fast look at anything your child wears or plays with daily, catches most problems early. The Cat & Jack sandals are a useful reminder that even simple, inexpensive items can carry a small-parts risk, and that acting on a recall is one of the easiest safety wins available.
Disclaimer. This article is a news summary prepared for general information and is not legal or safety advice. Details such as affected sizes, refund steps, and unit counts can change as a recall is updated. Always check the official CPSC recall notice and Target’s guidance for the latest information before acting.
Sources: CPSC recall notice (Recall 26-629); Fox Business; Good Morning America; WBAY.
