Cotton on USA has issued a recall of toy pinwheels given away as promotional items at Cotton On Kids stores from April 2023 through January 2024. The affected products were not sold through the promotional merchandise market, but the incident represents issues industry companies should keep top of mind.

  • There has been one report of the pinwheel’s fastener cap coming loose and being swallowed by a child.
  • The recall was issued Thursday, May 9.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pinwheels and dispose of the product. As the product was given away for free, no refund or replacement will be provided.

Best Practices For Product Recalls

Many promotional products contain small parts, such as fastener caps, that could pose as choking hazards for children. For that and other reasons, it’s essential that due diligence is conducted to ensure safety standards are met before such products reach end users.

In December, the CPSC issued a recall for high-powered magnetic balls for the danger they pose if ingested by humans. Various promotional products include similarly small magnets. It’s important to understand the potential risks and the possibility of an enforced recall if compliance requirements are not met.

In March, Nestlé USA issued a recall of metallic mugs that were sold in late 2023 as part of a Starbucks-branded gift set after the mugs caused burns and lacerations to multiple consumers.

Considering that drinkware is one of the most common forms of promotional products and is often a receptacle for extremely hot liquids, such as coffee, safety standards are of the utmost importance.

  • Beyond just meeting standards, all companies need to be prepared for the possibility to issue a swift recall to mitigate any unforeseen dangers that might face end users.