WARNING: Mei Xiang/MXYY Magnetic Chess Game Poses Serious Injury Risk to Children

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning to consumers regarding the Mei Xiang/MXYY Magnetic Chess Game, citing serious safety concerns. The CPSC found that the magnets in the game do not comply with federal regulations, posing a risk of injury or even death if ingested by children.

According to CPSC testing, the magnets in the game are stronger than permitted and can easily fit within the small parts cylinder, making them a potential hazard if swallowed. When multiple magnets are ingested, they can attract to each other or to other metal objects in the digestive system, leading to serious complications such as perforations, blockages, infections, and even death.

The CPSC estimates that there have been 2,400 magnet ingestions treated in hospital emergency departments from 2017 to 2021, with eight reported deaths since 2005, including two outside of the United States. Despite issuing a Notice of Violation to the seller, Mei Xiang/MXYY, the firm has not agreed to recall the Magnetic Chess Game or offer a remedy to consumers.

The game was sold in a blue box labeled “Magnetic Chess Intellectual Strategy Game” and included loose black magnets, a foam game board, a yellow string, and a clear plastic drawstring storage bag. CPSC identified the violation through import surveillance and believes the games were sold online for around $12 on www.amazon.com.

Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the magnet chess games, keep them away from children, and dispose of them properly. Any incidents involving injury or product defects should be reported to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this issue, which can be found on www.cpsc.gov/commissioners. Stay informed and stay safe.