High risk Recalled March 19, 2001 About 835,000 units Updated February 9, 2026

CPSC, Eight Firms Announce the Recall of Zapper Toys

Toys & playToddlerPreschoolChoking

The hazard

The balloon tongues and the cylinders holding the tongues on these toys can detach, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children.

Incidents reported: The Promotional Resources Group of Companies Inc., of Topeka, Kan., previously recalled about 105,000 Bug Zapper toys on June 6, 2000. That company received a report of a 3-year-old boy who inhaled a balloon tongue that detached from a Zapper toy into his sinus cavity. He required medical treatment to remove the part from his nose.

What to do now

Consumers should immediately take these toys away from young children and take them back to where they were purchased, for a refund, or throw them away.

Contact: If consumers have questions, call CPSC at (800) 638- 2772 anytime.

About this recall

The vinyl Zapper toys are about 2 to 3 inches long, and come in 12 different styles: smiley face, globe with glasses, troll, bumble bee, lion, bear, tiger, raspberry face, fish, frog, snake, and lizard. When the toy is squeezed, the balloon tongue attached to its mouth inflates or rolls out. "CHINA" or "MADE IN CHINA" is molded into the toy.

Product photos

Recalled Bug Zapper toys
Recalled Bug Zapper toys

Photos: U.S. CPSC