Mattel Inc. has recalled about 7.3 million Polly Pocket play sets. Small magnets inside the dolls and accessories can come loose. The magnets can be found by young children and swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

This recall is an expansion of a November 2006 recall in which 2.4 million toys were removed from shelves. Since the previous recall announcement, Mattel has received more than 400 additional reports of magnets coming loose. CPSC was aware in the first recall announcement of 170 reports of the magnets coming out of the recalled toys. There had been three reports of serious injuries to children who swallowed more than one magnet. All three suffered intestinal perforations that required surgery.

The recalled Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets. The magnets measure 1/8 inch in diameter and are embedded in the hands and feet of some dolls, and in the plastic clothing, hairpieces and other accessories to help the pieces attach to the doll or to the doll’s house. The model number is printed on the bottom of the largest pieces on some of the play sets. Products manufactured after November 1, 2006 and are currently on store shelves are not included in this recall. Contact Mattel if you cannot find a model number on your product to determine if it is part of the recall.

The sets were sold at toy stores and various other retailers from May 2003 through November 2006 for between $15 and $30.

Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel to receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the customer’s choice, up to the value of the returned product.

For additional information, call Mattel toll-free at (888) 597-6597 anytime. See below for a complete listing of items affected by this recall.