Choking Concerns Lead to Massive Candy Recall After Young Child’s Death
In a sobering announcement that has left many parents and guardians uneasy, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has divulged the recall of two prominent brands of rolling candy. The alarming cause: the potential choking hazard these candies present, which has already resulted in the tragic death of a 7-year-old child.
Rolling candies, a popular treat among kids, utilize a rolling ball mechanism at their top which releases the liquid candy when rolled against the tongue. However, this very design feature has now come under scrutiny. KGR Distribution Corp. has found itself recalling nearly 146,000 units of its ‘Cocco Candy Rolling Candy’ brand, while a staggering 70 million units of the ‘Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candy’ from Candy Dynamics Inc. are also being pulled from the shelves.
The products in question span a range of flavors, each with its respective barcodes, that were sold both online and at physical stores across the country. Notably, the Cocco Candy Rolling Candy had been available from May 2022 to March 2023 through the KGR Candies website and other retailers. On the other hand, the Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candy had a broader reach, with sales dating back to June 2015 and distribution across renowned chains such as Walmart and Five Below, along with online giants like Amazon.
The gravity of the situation was brought to the forefront when a heart-wrenching incident occurred in New York: a 7-year-old child tragically lost her life after a ball from a Cocco Candy Rolling Candy became stuck in her throat. Apart from this, while no other fatalities or injuries have been formally reported, KGR Distribution has acknowledged two instances where the ball from its Slime Licker candy became detached.
The stark reality presented by this tragic event underscores the grave responsibilities that manufacturers and distributors bear when introducing products, especially those targeted at vulnerable populations like children. Victims and their families, in situations where they’ve been harmed due to product defects or lack of adequate warnings, can often pursue legal recourse via product liability lawsuits.
In the realm of product liability, companies may be held liable for manufacturing defects, design flaws, or inadequate warnings. Affected parties could potentially seek damages covering medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages (in the case of parents or guardians having to take time off to care for injured children), and in unfortunate cases like this, funeral expenses or loss of companionship. In cases where negligence or a blatant disregard for safety can be proven, punitive damages might also be awarded.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover monetary compensation for harm caused by dangerous products. For your free consultation, contact our national product liability law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).