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3.2 Million Calico Critters Toys After Deaths of 2 Children

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of over 3.2 million Calico Critters animal figures after the deaths of two children. Epoch Everlasting Play, the manufacturer of these pacifier accessories, is working alongside the CPSC to remove these products from the market as they pose a choking hazard to children. 

What Are Calico Critters?

Epoch Everlasting Play, based in Pine Brook, New Jersey, has been manufacturing children’s toys for over 50 years. Calico Critters are a line of “wholesome” animal miniatures introduced in the 1980s in Japan and known for their lifelike accessories. 

However, Epoch, in cooperation with the CPSC, is urging parents and caregivers to take away Calico Critters from their children. These animal figures and sets were sold with bottles and pacifier accessories between January 2020 and December 2021. 

The sets consisted of various animals, including dogs, cats, hedgehogs, chipmunks, elephants, and more. Prices ranged between $10 and $80 for the sets sold at Walmart, Meijer, and other stores nationwide or online at www.calicocritters.com and www.amazon.com. 

The bottle accessories came in yellow, pink, blue, and orange colors, while one type of bottle has two yellow handles. The pacifier came in yellow, orange, pink, dark pink, blue, and teal colors.

Three Choking Incidents Connected to Calico Critters Sets

Although these toys may appear harmless, there have been three reported choking events allegedly caused by Calico Critters. 

Epoch is aware of three incidents involving the pacifier accessory, including two deaths. The deaths involved a 2-year-old child in 2018 in New Mexico and a 9-month-old child in 2015 in Japan. 

The CPSC has instructed anyone with the recalled Calico Critters to take the recalled bottle and pacifier accessories away from children immediately. The affected item numbers are printed on the bottom of the product packaging. Individuals should contact Epoch Everlasting Play for instructions to submit a photo of the bottle and pacifier accessory. Epoch also requests contact information and confirmation of the product’s destruction to receive a free replacement accessory.

You can find a full list of the recalled Calico Critters at https://epocheverlastingplay.com/recalls/calico-critters/.