An urgent recall has been issued for several thousand light up souvenir cups sold at screenings of children’s movie, Inside Out.
The cup, which has lights inside of it powered by lithium batteries, has been flagged as dangerous, as children could potentially open the cap concealing the batteries and swallow them.
The cap, which is not screwed down or glued down whatsoever, has an “easy turn” system which would allow a child to open it without any mechanical measures or parental assistance.
The issue was flagged when a Queensland mother viewing a screening of Inside Out with her son brought it to attention.
“The button batteries had an easy to turn (with only a fingernail) locks meaning a child could easily open then swallow one of those dangerous button batteries,” she wrote on her Facebook.
She also went onto claim that the batteries had leaked rust into her son’s drink.
It was her Facebook post, however, that sparked the need for a review into the cups, instigated by The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
“The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been in discussion with the suppliers of the product who are assisting the ACCC,” spokesman Duncan Harrod said, “At this time we know the product was a ‘one off’ and 15,000 were supplied exclusively to Event Cinemas and not distributed elsewhere.”
“The ACCC is being provided a sample and will examine it as soon as it has been delivered,” he continued, “The ACCC always encourages great care to be taken with button batteries, and under these circumstances expect parents will want to keep the product out of reach of children until our assessment has concluded.”
Event Cinemas, who have been retailing the cups, issued its own statement in response, stating, “We sincerely apologise for our customers’ inconvenience and share their concern for any possible risk these possible incidents may cause.”
Event Cinemas have also confirmed that they will be issuing a “pre-emptive voluntary recall” as a ‘precautionary measure’.
As of yet, there have been no injuries or incidents related to the cups.
15,000 cups had already been purchased at Event and Greater Union cinemas in NSW and Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas in Queensland, between June 17 and July 12.
If you are in possession of one of these cups, it is advised that you keep it away from the reach of children.
