WASHINGTON, D.C. –The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Star Networks USA LLC, of West New York, N.J., are announcing a voluntary recall to refund for all Magnicube Spheres and Magnicube Cubes.  The recall of these high-powered magnetic sets is announced as part of the settlement of an administrative case filed by CPSC staff in December 2012, which sought a mandatory recall of the Magnicube products.

From 2009 to the present, CPSC staff has received numerous incident reports of ingestions involving small, high-powered magnets, including many that required surgery.  This recall is intended to protect children and teenagers from the deadly risk of injury that can occur when more than one magnet is ingested.

CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop use of all Magnicube Spheres and Magnicube Cubes and check for magnets that have become separated from the set. 

Star has agreed to provide a full refund to consumers who return a full set of Magnicube Cubes or Magnicube Spheres.  Consumers who return less than a full set shall receive a refund that is prorated based on the percentage of magnets returned. Consumers should contact the firm at www.magnicube.com to request a refund. 

Magnicube Spheres and Magnicube Cubes sets contain from 125 to 1,027 high-powered rare earth magnets and were made in China.  About 22,000 sets were sold for between $20 and $80 on magnicube.com, Amazon.com and via Groupon.

The settlement resolves CPSC staff’s allegations that the Magnicube Spheres and Magnicube Cubes create a substantial product hazard.  Star disputed these allegations, but has agreed to the recall in settlement of the allegations in the Complaint.

It is illegal under federal law for any person to sell, offer for sale, manufacture, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States any Magnicube Spheres or Magnicube Cubes.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.