CPSC Warns Parents to Avoid All Roller Ball Candy Products Due to Choking Hazards

Warning comes as officials issue a third rolling candy ball recall, indicating that pieces may loosen and obstruct children’s airways.

Federal safety officials are urging parents to avoid purchasing all “roller ball” type candy products, due to the serious choking hazards the products pose, particularly for young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the roller ball candy warning on March 21, indicating candy products with rolling balls of hard candy or those with rolling applicator balls that distribute liquid candy, pose potentially fatal choking risks for children, because they can dislodge from their packaging and become trapped in a child’s throat.

The warning follows the death of at least one child, who choked after the rolling ball of candy she was eating loosened from its container. Officials warn that several other children have choked on similar rolling candy products that detached and blocked their airways, with one child requiring emergency surgery to remove the hazardous ball.

Millions of Rolling Candy Products Recalled over Choking Risks

In October 2023, the CPSC issued two separate recalls, which impacted more than 70 million rolling candy products. The largest recall impacted millions of Slime Licker sour rolling liquid candy products, after the manufacturer became aware of at least two incidents involving the rolling liquid candy applicator ball detaching from the container.

The products were packaged in plastic bottles with plastic rolling balls that hold and disperse sour liquid candy, and were distributed nationwide in Walmart and Five Below stores, as well as online at Amazon.com and CandyDynamics.com.

A smaller recall of 145,800 Cocco Candy rolling candy products was issued the same day, after the agency was notified of the choking death of a seven-year-old child. Those products featured rolling balls of hard candy, held inside plastic containers. They were distributed in stores nationwide and online at www.kgrcandies.com.

Officials urged consumers to immediately stop using the recalled rolling candy products, take them away from children, and contact the manufacturer to receive a full refund due to the fatal choking risks they pose to children.

Happiness USA Roller Ball Candy Recall

In addition to the warning, the CPSC announced a new Happiness USA Liquid Roller Ball Candy recall on March 21, after officials became aware of an incident of a child choking on the plastic applicator ball. Reports indicate the roller ball detached from the packaging and became stuck in a seven-year-old child’s throat in July 2023.

The child required emergency surgery to remove the ball from his throat, which was reportedly successful.

The recall impacts all flavors of Happiness USA liquid rolling candy products, including the blue raspberry, strawberry, and green apple varieties. The products contain one fluid ounce of flavored liquid candy packaged in plastic, resealable bottles, with a plastic rolling ball applicator for applying the candy onto the tongue. They are labeled with “Funtime Roller Ball Candy” printed on the front and “Happiness USA” printed on the back.

The roller ball candies retailed for about $2, and were distributed nationwide in Kosher market stores from January 2018 until July 2023.

Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the recalled candy, take them away from children, and contact the manufacturer to receive a full refund.

Consumers with questions can contact Twenty Four Six Foods toll-free at 833-436-1200, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Thursday, or by email at recall246foods@gmail.com.