Target Recalls Water-Absorbing Easter Eggs, Dino Toys Due to Ingestion Risk

Three water-absorbing toys sold at Target, including Easter eggs and dinosaur toys, are being recalled due to the risk that they may cause serious health risks if they are ingested by children. 

The Target water-absorbing toy recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on April 13, impacting more than 500,000 toys sold across the country.

While no injuries or incidents have been reported in relation to the recall, if swallowed the expandable toys may cause life-threatening internal obstructions, vomiting, dehydration and other complications. The CPSC warns that removing the toys from the body would typically require surgery.

Hatch & Grow Easter Eggs, Easter Grow Toys and the Hatch Your Own Dino toys are impacted by the recall, which are each designed to expand to several times the initial size after coming in contact with water.

The affected Hatch & Grow Easter Eggs and Easter Grow Toys have model number 234-25-1200 printed on the back of the packaging. The Hatch Your Own Dino has model number 234-09-0016 printed on the label inserted in the products packaging.

The Hatch & Grow Easter egg comes in pink, blue, or purple. They include a white or brown bunny or a butterfly. The Easter Grow toys include a yellow chick, brown bunny, or white bunny. The Hatch Your Own Dino Eggs are purple or yellow/green. They contain one of eleven dinosaurs.

The Easter and dino toys were sold at Target in February and March 2017 for $1. The toys were made in China and more than 560,000 toys were sold during that time.

Consumers who purchased the toys should return the affected product to Target for a full refund. They can also contact Target at (800) 440-0680 for more information about the recall.

Concerns over expanding toy ingestion have existed for several years. A similar Dunecraft Water Balz recall was issued in late 2012, after an 8-month old girl required emergency surgery to remove the expanding toy from her intestines. Safety officials warn the Easter and dinosaur egg water toys pose the same threat to children.