Washington, D.C. — Federal safety regulators are warning parents to stop using a popular children’s teething toy after reports that it may pose a potentially life-threatening choking hazard.
The recall affects more than 70,000 GOPO TOYS Pull String Teething Toys that were sold online through Amazon over a period of more than two years. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the toy’s design violates mandatory federal safety standards and could place young children at risk of serious injury.
The recall is one of several involving similar children’s products in recent months.
Why the Teething Toy Is Being Recalled
According to the CPSC, the recalled toy contains silicone pull strings that are longer and smaller than allowed under federal toy safety requirements.
Officials say the strings can reach the back of a child’s throat and potentially become lodged, creating a serious choking hazard. The agency warned that the design could lead to respiratory distress and, in extreme cases, death.
The manufacturer reported receiving three incidents in which the strings reportedly reached the back of a child’s throat, causing choking or breathing difficulties.
While no deaths have been reported, regulators determined the risk was serious enough to warrant an immediate recall.
More Than 70,000 Units Affected
The recall involves approximately 70,410 units sold through Amazon between August 2023 and March 2026. The products were sold for approximately $11 to $15.
The recalled toy features:
- An off-white circular disc
- A gray center ball
- Six colorful silicone pull-string tentacles
- Seven soft push buttons on the front
Consumers can identify affected products by checking the packaging.
The front of the package is labeled “GOPO TOYS” and “Pull String Toy.”
The following batch numbers are included in the recall:
- 250905
- 250530
- 250120
- 240315
- 231005
- 230610
These numbers can be found on the back of the packaging.
What Parents Should Do Immediately
Federal regulators are urging parents and caregivers to stop using the toy right away and remove it from children’s reach.
Consumers should not donate, resell, or continue using the product. Instead, the CPSC advises owners to:
- Cut off and discard all pull-string tentacles
- Write “DESTROYED” on the toy’s main body using a permanent marker
- Take a photograph of the destroyed product
- Email the photo to the manufacturer for recall verification
- Dispose of the product after receiving instructions
Officials say these steps are necessary to ensure the recalled toy cannot continue being used by children.
Similar Recalls Raise Broader Safety Concerns
The latest recall follows two similar actions announced earlier this year involving comparable children’s toys.
Ice Cream Recall Affects 3 States After Undeclared Allergen Found in Popular Flavors
In May, more than 100,000 teething toys were recalled because of similar choking risks. Another recall issued in February involved a nearly identical toy that raised many of the same safety concerns.
The repeated recalls have drawn attention to the importance of product testing and compliance with federal toy safety standards, particularly for products intended for infants and toddlers.
Parents are encouraged to regularly review recall notices and inspect children’s toys for potential hazards.
Safety Experts Urge Parents to Check Toy Collections
Consumer safety officials recommend that parents periodically review toys purchased online, especially products intended for babies and young children.
Because recalled products can remain in homes long after they are removed from store shelves, checking recall notices can help prevent injuries before they occur.
For families who purchased the recalled GOPO TOYS Pull String Teething Toy, acting quickly could help eliminate a potentially dangerous choking risk.
Have you ever had to return or dispose of a recalled children’s product? What steps do you think manufacturers should take to improve toy safety? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
