Consumer warning
Voluntary measure
Notified by Slovakia
Published 9 Jun 2026
SR/01709/26
Expandable beads subject to a consumer warning over choking risk
EU authorities issued a consumer warning about this product (Expandable beads) after it was found to pose a choking and injury risk. Here is how to tell if you have it, and what to do next.
How to identify it
- Product
- Multicoloured water beads, which grow when immersed in water, intended for use as bullets in a gun.
- Brand
- Not listed in the notice
- Barcode
- Batch / lot
- 19062024
- Made in
- People's Republic of China
- Category
- Toys
Why it's dangerous
ChokingInjuries
The product expands in size when in contact with water. If a child puts the product in the mouth or swallows it, contact with saliva or stomach liquids will cause the product to expand, which can result in occlusion of the respiratory tract or intestinal blockage.
The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive nor with the European standard EN 71-1.
What the authorities did
Measure
Warning consumers of the risks
Type
Voluntary
Notified by
Slovakia
Source
EU Safety Gate notification
SR/01709/26
View official notice ↗
Last synced 3 Oct 2026, 01:45 UTC. SafeCart is an independent company, not an EU body. This page summarises the official notice, which is the authoritative record.