CPSC Recalls 10,750 Magnetic Stick Figure Toys Over Deadly Magnet Ingestion Risk
On October 1, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and importer GBYMIUY announced a magnetic toy recall covering about 10,750 magnetic stick figure toy sets sold online, warning that loose high-powered magnets inside the figures can be swallowed by a child and cause life-threatening internal injuries. The recall, assigned number 27-008, is the latest in a string of CPSC actions this year against inexpensive, imported magnet toys that fail the mandatory federal safety standard — a hazard that has sent tens of thousands of children to emergency rooms over the past decade.
What was recalled
The recalled product is a pack of 30 multi-colored, human-shaped stick figures — a mix of transparent and opaque pieces, each about 2.91 inches tall and 2.3 inches wide, with small magnets embedded in the hand and foot areas so the figures can link together. The packaging is printed with “GBYMIUY” and the identifier “X004TVHD2Z.” Here are the key details owners should know.
- Product: GBYMIUY magnetic stick figure toy sets, sold in packs of 30 figures.
- Units: About 10,750 in the United States.
- Sold at: Amazon.com from April 2026 through July 2026 for about $20.
- Hazard: The sets can release loose, high-powered magnets, posing an ingestion hazard to children. They violate the mandatory toy safety standard (16 CFR part 1250).
- Incidents: No injuries had been reported to the CPSC at the time of the recall.
- Remedy: A full refund. Consumers must stop using the toys, keep them away from children, throw the figures away, and email a photo of the discarded toys to the importer.
Why loose high-powered magnets are so dangerous
What makes small, powerful magnets uniquely dangerous is not choking — it is what happens after they are swallowed. When a child ingests two or more high-powered magnets, or a magnet together with another metal object, the pieces can attract one another through the walls of the digestive tract. As the CPSC has explained, that attraction “can result in perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning and death.” The injuries often develop quietly, and the early symptoms — stomachache, nausea, vomiting — can look like a common bug, which delays diagnosis until emergency surgery is needed.
The scale of the problem is why regulators treat these toys so seriously. In the rulemaking that produced the current federal magnet standard, the CPSC estimated that 26,600 magnet ingestions were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms from 2010 through 2021, with cases rising annually since 2018. The agency said it was aware of seven deaths involving the ingestion of hazardous magnets, two of them outside the United States. Toddlers are at risk from mouthing loose pieces, while older children and teens have been injured mimicking tongue or lip piercings with small magnet balls.
If you suspect a child has swallowed magnets, act fast. Do not wait for symptoms. Seek emergency medical care immediately and tell providers you believe magnets were ingested, since imaging and prompt treatment can prevent the bowel damage that makes these cases so serious. The national Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, can advise while you get to care.
What you should do
If you have one of these sets at home, or you are not sure, take a few minutes to check and act. Because the toys were sold online, many buyers will not remember the brand name, so look closely at any magnetic linking figures a child owns.
- Stop use now: Take the figures away from children immediately and store them out of reach until you can dispose of them.
- Check your orders: Search your Amazon purchase history for magnetic stick figure sets bought in 2026, and look for the GBYMIUY name or the code X004TVHD2Z on the packaging.
- Get your refund: Follow the CPSC recall instructions to contact the firm, discard the toys, and submit a photo of the disposal to receive a full refund.
- Inspect similar toys: Any toy that sheds small, strong magnets — building sets, “magnetic men,” or ball-and-stick kits — deserves a second look, especially if it was a low-cost online purchase.
- Report problems: If a child was hurt or a product looks unsafe, file a report at SaferProducts.gov so regulators can track the hazard.
The rule behind the recall — and why these keep appearing
Children’s toys that contain magnets must comply with the mandatory toy standard, 16 CFR part 1250, which incorporates the ASTM F963 toy safety requirements. Those requirements limit the strength of any loose magnet small enough to be swallowed. Separately, in 2022 the CPSC approved a dedicated federal magnet safety standard, 16 CFR part 1262, covering non-toy magnet products marketed for recreation, jewelry, or stress relief. The agency voted to approve that rule on September 21, 2022, and it took effect on October 21, 2022, for products made after that date. Under it, each loose magnet that fits inside the small-parts cylinder must have a flux index below 50 kG² mm² — essentially, it must be too weak to cause the internal injuries that drove the rule.
Despite those rules, non-compliant magnet toys keep reaching U.S. buyers through online marketplaces, often from overseas sellers using rotating brand names. The GBYMIUY action follows other 2026 recalls of nearly identical products — for example, Vndueey “Magnetic Men” toy sets were recalled on January 22, 2026 for the same loose-magnet hazard, alongside additional CPSC recalls and safety warnings for look-alike stick figure and building sets throughout the year. With the holiday shopping season approaching, safety advocates expect more of these products to surface as bargain gifts. The practical takeaway for parents, grandparents, and gift-givers is simple: when buying a magnetic toy, favor established brands and sealed packaging that states compliance with ASTM F963, and be wary of unbranded magnet sets sold cheaply online.
Disclaimer. This article is for general safety information and is not medical, legal, or professional advice. Recall details, unit counts, and remedies can change as agencies update their notices. Always confirm the current recall instructions and eligibility directly with the CPSC and the recalling company before acting, and seek immediate medical care for any suspected magnet ingestion.
Sources: CPSC — GBYMIUY Magnetic Stick Figure Toy Sets Recall (27-008); CPSC — New Federal Safety Standard for Magnets (2022); CPSC — Vndueey Magnetic Men Toy Sets Recall (26-208).
