Urgent recall of Hungry Jack’s children’s meal toy that poses risk of choking, serious injury and death

The toy, which has been included in Hungry Jack’s children’s meals, has been recalled.

Parents are being warned to keep a Garfield toy included in Hungry Jack’s children’s meals away from their children, as it poses a risk of choking, serious injury or death.

Product Safety Australia (PSA) has recalled the “Burping Garfield” cat-shaped plastic toy, which contains button batteries, because it does not comply with the mandatory information standard for products containing button/coin batteries.

Product Safety Australia has recalled the ‘Burping Garfield’ toy. Picture: Product Safety Australia

The toy does not comply with the mandatory information standard for products containing button/coin batteries. Picture: Product Safety Australia.

“The product does not include the required warning information,” the PSA notice states.

“There is a risk of choking, serious injury or death if young children gain access to the button/coin batteries and swallow or place them inside their body.”

The Garfield toy makes burping sounds when activated and was provided with Hungry Jack’s children’s meals sold at Hungry Jack’s restaurants nationwide between May 20 and May 30 this year.

Parents and carers are advised to keep the toy out of children’s reach. Picture: Product Safety Australia.

The toy came with children’s meals between May 20 and May 30 this year. Picture: Product Safety Australia

Parents and carers are advised to cease using the toy immediately and to keep it out of reach of children.

Consumers are able to return the toy to their nearest Hungry Jack’s restaurant to receive a non-battery toy as a free replacement.

For more information, consumers can contact Hungry Jack’s by calling 1300 852 326 or emailing [e-mail].

PSA’s recall comes after Consumer Affairs Victoria director Nicole Rich issued an urgent public warning about the toy, which promotes The Garfield Movie.

“The toy does not comply with the mandatory information standard for products containing button batteries and does not include the required warning information about the dangers of button batteries,” the public warning notice reads.

The toy poses a risk of choking, serious injury or death if young children gain access to the button/coin batteries and swallow or place them inside their body. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard.

According to Consumer Affairs Victoria’s website, button batteries can burn through the oesophagus (swallowing tube) of children who ingest them in just two hours, causing internal burns, severe bleeding or death.

Parents or carers who suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery should call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for urgent advice.

If a child is struggling to breathe, call triple-0 immediately.