The Most Dangerous Products Ever That Were Recalled

1. Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven Meant More Than Burned Cakes

Image source NBCEasy-bake ovens have always been popular for years and taught early baking skills to kids.  However, in 2007, Hasbro had their fingers burned when they received 29 reports of children getting their fingers stuck in the oven's openings and half a dozen reports of actual burns.

2. Toyota Motors Faulty Gas Pedals Terrified Customers

Image source The GuardianCar accidents are one of the most feared scenarios and having to worry about a manufacturing fault with your vehicle is very scary.  In 2009, Toyota recalled over 5 million cars that were believed to have ill-fitting floor mats that trapped the gas pedals.  Three months later, Toyota issued a further 4 million recalls due to faulty pedals.

3. Merck Vioxx Drug Could Kill

Image source STAT NewsIn 1999, a new arthritis drug called Vioxx, manufactured by the large pharmaceutical company, Merck came on to the market.  Shortly afterwards, studies showed that 79 out of 4,000 patients who had taken Vioxx experienced heart problems or died. This was almost double the amount compared another drug tested in the study.  Over the years, Merck continued to see data linking Vioxx to heart attacks.

4.Johnson & Johnson Tylenol Risk Of Poisoning

Image source InsiderBack in 1982, 7 people in the Chicago area died after taking Extra-Strength Tylenol. The pain relievers had somehow been laced with potassium cyanide. When the link was discovered, urgent warnings from the police were broadcasted throughout Chicago neighbourhoods.

5. Simplicity Cribs Trapped Toddlers

Image source Growing Your Baby2009 saw problems with Simplicity's drop-side crib, leading to a recall of a million units.  They were called back due to risk of suffocation for infants who could get trapped between the drop-side of the crib and the crib's mattress.  The company paid out fortunes as a result.

6. Graco High Chairs/Strollers Resulted In Amputation

Image source NBCGraco were in a bad way in 2010.  They had to recall  1.2 million of their 'Harmony' model of high chair after it was deemed to be unsafe.  This was the third recall it had undertaken, the final one being  one of their strollers which caused multiple numbers of cuts and one finger amputation.

7. Infantino Baby Slings Affects Baby's Breathing

Image source Daily MailBreathing hazards was the reason in 2010 for the recall of a million 'Sling Rider' and 'Wendy Bellissimo' models of its baby sling.  The soft material and 'C' curve could push a baby's head forward, making it difficult, if not impossible, for the little one to breathe.

8. Window Blinds Cords Cause Strangulation

Image source ABC NewsAll Roman style shades and roll-up blinds were recalled in 2010 after reports that babies and toddlers had died of strangulation after getting caught in the loose cords of the window coverings. The CPSC issued one of the largest recalls in the agency’s history by recalling virtually all these two styles of blinds, a total of 50 million.

9. Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys Were Leaking Paint

Image source NBC NewsThis classic set of wooden toys were purchased by millions worldwide, creating healthy profits for the manufacturer in China.  It all came off the rails for the company in 2007 when some of the products revealed surface paint was leaking from them.  As the paint contained lead and was a serious health hazard to the youngsters, a million and a half were recalled.

10. Firestone Tyres Didn't Tread Carefully

Image source Town Fair TyreIn 2000, Firestone recalled a huge 6.5 million defective tyres in one of the most dangerous recalls ever.  The treads on the defective tyres had a tendency to separate and peel off. This separation issue was thought to have caused as many as 175 deaths and over 700 injuries.

11. Ace Bayou Corporation Bean Bag Chair Deaths

Image source NBC NewsIf you were born before the 2000s you will probably remember having a bean bag chair.  It felt so cool to watch telly or play video games on them.  The regular issue of the beans falling out of burst seams turned out to be far more serious when young kids were putting the beans in their mouths and 2 died from choking.  Two million chairs were recalled.

12. Baby Milk Formula Contained Dangerous Chemical

Image source The Epoch TimesIn 2008, a chemical called melamine which is used in plastic, was added to baby milk formula to bloat out it's protein value.  It caused the death of one baby and kidney problems in 50 others.  700 tons of the powder was recalled and 2 men were sentenced to death for purposely contaminating the product.

13. Jarts Lawn Darts Point Out Flaw

Image source The Post-StarThe Jarts, or lawn darts, was a craze in the '80s that had 'accident' written all over it.  The game involved throwing large plastic darts into plastics rings on the ground but the darts had weighted and pointed metal tips, a recipe for disaster.  Three deaths were reported over the years and the Jarts were finally recalled in 1988.

14. Ford Pinto Could Have Blown Up

Image source MediumThe Ford Pinto was around in the mid '70s and the design showed an oddly positioned fuel tank.  In the event of a rear end collision, this could have resulted in the vehicle blowing up.  Rather than recalling the car and making adjustments, which was the original plan, they changed their minds and settled the lawsuits instead.  The Pinto disappeared from view by 1981.

15. Peanut Corporation's Product Had A Sprinkling Of Cockroach

Image source USA TodayThe Peanut Corporation's headquarters in Georgia underwent a health inspection in 2009.  Mould lined the walls and ceilings and rats and cockroaches crunched their way around the manufacturing plant.  Salmonella, obviously, contaminated the peanuts, which were used to make ice cream and peanut butter.  Eight people died before the products were recalled and the owners of the plant put behind bar.

16. Pfizer Bextra Drugs Make Patients Worse

Image source NPRPharmaceutical giant Pfizer, was floored in 2005 when the Food and Drug Administration forced it to pull Bextra, an arthritis painkiller, off the market because of possible heart risks and skin reactions which could be life threatening.  At the time, Bextra was one of Pfizer’s best-selling products, with $1.3 billion dollars worth of sales in 2004.

17. General Motors’ Ignition Switch Ignited Panic

Image source Time2014 was the year that anyone who owned a General Motors vehicle would prefer to forget.  Faulty ignition switches shut down the engine without warning, disabling power steering, air bags and brakes.  The fault was linked to 124 deaths and over 250 injuries.  Over 30 million cars worldwide were recalled at a cost of $4.1 billion.

18. Diethyistillbestrol For Miscarriages Was Unsafe

Image source The GuardianDES was a prescription drug designed to prevent miscarriages and pregnancy complications.  After 30 years on the market, it was found to cause a rare tumour in daughters whose mothers had taken the drug. Following these findings, the law changed in that multiple, instead of one, manufacturer, could make the same drug.  Liability awards cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars.

19. Fenfluramine/Phentermine To Lose Weight Fast

Image source Getty ImagesFen-Phen was a popular drug for people who were wanting a quick fix to lose weight.  Problems started when consumers experienced heart disease and pulmonary issues found to be linked to the drug.  It was recalled and with multiple lawsuits against the manufacturer, they found themselves over a billion dollars out of pocket.

20. Baycol (Lipobay)Killed Off Muscle Tissue

Image source The Local GermanyWhat should have been a daily tablet to keep high cholesterol under control, turned out to be the drug linked to a severe muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis which can cause kidney failure due to protein from dying muscle tissue.  Before the recall, up to 80,000 deaths were associated with the medication.

21. Mibefradil Was Prescribed As A Death Warrant

Image source WIREDWhile not on the market for an extended length of time, Mibefradil was linked to the deaths of over 100 people.  When used with other drugs, it became deadly to the small number of people prescribed it.  It was recalled after a high proportion of those taking it became very ill or died -  too little, too late.

22. Beef Not Fit For An Animal To Eat

Image source US WeeklyBeef was involved in two major recalls in 2014. The first one was when the Wolverine Packing Co in Detroit voluntarily recalled 1.8 million pounds of ground meat because of E.coli.  The second involved Petaluma, a Californian Rancho Feeding Corporation. The company had to recall nearly nine million pounds of beef and veal after it was discovered the company had used diseased animals (which weren't inspected) at it's process plant.

23. Hallmark Itty Bitty's Plush Stacking Toys Not For Kids

Image source Bisnar ChaseThere had only been one report of the fabric bows and hats worn by the Disney characters on this stacking toy coming off but Hallmark didn't want to take any chances and sent out prepaid shipping labels to return the toy along with a $40 Hallmark Gold Crown gift card.

24. Dr Brown’s Natural Bottle And Dish Soap Weren't Clean

Image source Good Housekeeping23,000 bottles of D. Browns soap were recalled in 2017 as it was feared they contained  harmful bacteria which could cause respiratory infections in babies and toddlers.  Customers were told to wash any bottles which came into contact with the product in boiling water or run them through the dishwasher.  Luckily, only minor symptoms were found in a small number of young children.

25. Fabri-Tech’s Cracker Barrel Infant Rompers Could Pop Off

Image source consumer product

26. Laura Ashley Flower Dress Where Petals Drop Off

Image source The GuardianThe well known designer Laura Ashley, manufactured cute little 'floral clip dot dresses' which had 3 flower petals around the waist that were found to be easy to pull off.  Sold exclusively on Amazon last year, the shopping giants were quick to recall the 17,000 they had sold.

27.  Meijer Wave Zone Children’s Swimsuits Make A Splash

Image source HuffPostLoads of these baby and toddler one piece swim suits, with a zip back, were sold in 2017 until it came to light that faulty snap on buttons could easily be removed and a child was fortunate not to have choked on one of the buttons.  They were recalled, as well as 2 other styles, to be on the safe side.

28. Panelcraft Rainbow Dreamer Magnetic Building Sets

Image source Mum's GrapevineThe problem with 2,000 units of two Panelcraft’s magnetic building sets, the Rainbow Dream Builder and the Rainbow Solid Builder, was that the corners break and the magnets hidden inside come pouring out.  A choking hazard to youngsters, a recall notice went out as soon as the issue was raised in 2019.

29. Middleton Siege Hunting Crossbows Didn't Score a Bullseye

Image source InsiderThis crossbow turned out to be faulty and very dangerous.  The auto-safety mechanism only worked occasionally and was, of course,  a health hazard.  It was recalled as soon as the issue was raised. Many users were reported to have receive flesh wounds and the company paid out fortunes in compensation.

30. Thalidomide For Sickness Caused A Scandal

Image source The GuardianIn 1961, Thalidomide, an anti-sickness drug, was prescribed to pregnant women for severe morning sickness.   It was many, many years before the drug was found to be the cause of up to 20,000 severe birth defects.  Unlike the other drugs I have mentioned, it was never recalled, despite requests for this to be done and tragedy ensued.

31. The Janod Pacifier that caused quite a stir

imagesource/dailymailThis pacifier was recalled (thank god!) because the beads attached to it could be released into the baby's mouth during play - which could pose as a serious hazard. Consumers were urgently told to return the pacifier to its place of purchase for a full refund. Or just throw it straight in the bin...which is where is belongs!

32. Gas Powered Fan Heater = Poisoning

Gas powered fan heaters, aren't usually supposed to lead to gas poisoning like this one that consumers claimed emitted carbon monoxide. If the unit ran for a prolonged period of time in an enclosed area without ventilation, it could have caused serious harm.

33. Girls Frill Sleeves Pyjamas That Were In Fact A Fire Hazard

imagesource/dailymail

The frills on this cute pyjama top aren't so cute after all. In fact, they don't even comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard of Consumer Good and in turn could cause serious burns to a child. Consumers were urged to stop using this pyjama set and return it to the Big W store.

34. The Not So Smart Kmart Australia Glass Travel Cup 

imagesource/productsafetyaustralia

The base of this glass was known to separate from the rest of the cup if boiling water was poured it which could potentially cause some severe burns. Severe scalding and burning can be a serious hazard to consumers, who were told to stop using the product and return them to the store.

35. The Big W Little Tikes 4-in-1 Trike the belonged in the bin

imagesource/mommysfabulousfinds

The defect trike was pulled from shelves after it was deemed unsafe to transport children as it doesn't meet the mandatory 'Consumer Product Safety Standard for Prams and Strollers'. Children could fall out of the trike and suffer serious injuries as the product could roll in an uncontrollable manner.

36. Slip Yourself Into A Coma With This Bath Mat

imagesource/productsafetyaustralia

A bath mat is supposed to stop a person from falling and potentially really hurting themselves in the shower/bath. Unfortunately, Targets Ocean bath mat was a bit lethal, and caused quite a few falls across Australia. Consumers are able to return the item to Target for a full refund without a receipt.

37. Better Homes & Gardens Gem Room Spray = TOXIC WASTE

imagesource/hip2save

After being the cause of 2 deaths, this product was recalled in 2021 after officials investigated a Walmart store brand aromatherapy spray after meliodosis (a rare and serious bacterial disease) sickened 4 people and killed 2, including a child.

38. Boppy Infant Loungers That Should Never Have Been Sold 

 

imagesource/bedbathandbeyond

Boppy infant loungers - pillow like cushions widely sold of Amazon and Walmart - have sadly caused 8 death after babies fell asleep on them. Because babies fall asleep so quickly, the CPSC is taking a hard look at non flat surface products this like one that may lead to suffocation.

39. Kratom

imagesource/medicalnewstodayIn 2018, after killed 44 people, this product was finally recalled. The FDA warned that Kratom contained opioids and those who used it were at risk of "abuse, overdose and in some cases death". Samples also tested positive for salmonella - making it even more of a dangerous product .

40. Hyland Teething Tablets Were Highly Unsafe For Children

 

imagesource/tellmebaby

No one liked having to go through the teething stage with their babies, but the potential remedy turned into a parents nightmare. Officials on the market claimed this product was linked to 10 deaths & the product is no longer sold in the United States.

41. Kidde Fire Extinguishers That Didn't Actually 'Extinguish Fire'

 

imagesource/kidde

Got one of these fire extinguishers? You need to check it now. It's caused one death and injured at least 16 people before getting recalled in 2017. These products can clog, leaving you with a useless fire extinguisher and secondly, the nozzle can rocket off becoming dangerous to you and anyone around.

42. Ikea MALM Dressers Were Unsafe For Under 18s

imagesource/ikea

Swedish company IKEA recalled 17 million of its MALM dressers after at least 8 children died when a MALM dressed fell on top of them. The CPSC urged parents to to anchor the dressers to their walls to prevent similar incidents from happening.

43. Samsung Galaxy Note 7 The Phone That Blew Up In Your Hand

imagesource/theguardianWe al had high hopes for the 2016 release of Samsung's Galaxy Note 7. But when it started causing havoc here there and everywhere by setting into flames. Samsung was forced to recall 2.5 million devices, some of the priciest smartphones on the market. Luckily, for Samsung, the following year, the Galaxy Note 8 received strong reviews and sales.

44. Takata Air Bags Made Any Crash Even More Unsafe

imagesource/thenewyorktimesManufactured in Japan, these defective airbags were investigated by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they're investigating over 30 million vehicales to be exact, for a defective inflator circuitry making the airbag inflate too explosively causing injury and death.

45. Jalisco Cheese Was Lethal

imagesource/mamalikestocookRewind back to 1985, an outbreak of listeriosis rocked through LA, killing 28 and causing 20 miscarriages. Crappy pasturization methods, an unsanitary plant and raw milk in products were all factors of why food safety laws were tightened after the outbreak!

46. Dodgy Sara Lee Meat Products

imagesource/foodprocessingtechnologyBack in the 90s, food company Sara Lee pled guilty to selling 'dodgy' meat products. When we say 'dodgy', the meats lead to at least 15 deaths due to having metal and glass found in its products.

47. Abbott Heart Pumps Can Cause A Real Glitch In Your System

imagesource/chinadaily26 people have died trying to change the compartments of their heart pumps so as of mid-2017 this product was recalled. It's recommended that the controllers are changed at hospitals, where it can be done safely and effectively. Consumers changing it themselves has lead to malfunctions and increased risks of death.

48. Saturn Bunk Bed...More Like Satans Bunk Bed

imagesource/dailymailForty Winks has contacted buyers to discuss options for remediation when it was found that the holes in the guard rail posed an entrapment hazard to children. The fault with the plastic infill panel installed in the holes can cause the bed to become detached from the upper bunk.

49. Target's Not So Useful Utensils

imagesource/dailymailThe handles on these pots and pans were known to become detached causing serious injury. Hundreds of people experienced burns from cooking with these utensils, however, customers were advised to return the product to stores as soon as possible, thankfully!

50. Aqua Dots Pens Should Never Be Given To Anybody Let Alone Children

imagesource/consumerproductsafetycommissionWhen your kids are playing with a toy, you expect the toy to be safe to use. So when this toy went into production in 2007, nobody realised the coating on this toy included GHB (aka the date rape drug). After 3 kids went into comas after swallowing the toxic drug, 4.2 million kits were recalled.