IKEA recalls all MATVRÅ children’s bibs due to choking hazard

SINGAPORE—Yesterday (Sept. 30), Swedish furniture company Ikea put out a press release recalling its MATVRÅ children’s bib packs because of a possible choking hazard.

In its official press release, entitled “IKEA recalls the children’s bib MATVRÅ, Blue/Red 2-pack, due to a choking hazard”, Ikea noted that it had received two separate reports of the buttons on the bib coming loose. The buttons could very well pose as a choking hazard to very young children, especially if swallowed.

The item, called the MATVRÅ Red and Blue two pack, with article number 504.269.20., is a pack of two children’s bibs in red and blue shades, with snap buttons that close the bibs shut.

IKEA told TODAY that the two incident reports of the buttons coming loose were from Norway and the United Kingdom, respectively. According to the reports, the button on the bib came loose upon usage, especially if children pull on it.

Recalling the bibs is a “precautionary measure”, according to IKEA, and that there have been no known incidents of the buttons falling off in Singapore, where more than 600 pieces of the item have been bought so far.

IKEA is urging all customers who purchased the bibs to immediately stop using them and return them to stores for a refund. The bibs originally retailed for S$3.90.

According to the IKEA spokesperson, other MATVRÅ bibs that come in green and yellow that have fruit or vegetable designs on them are safe to use because of “different material and design”.

While the MATVRÅ red and blue two-pack children’s bibs, which are made of polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate, the other bibs with the fruit/vegetables pattern are made of 100 percent cotton and have pockets in front.

For more information and for any additional questions or concerns, customers may contact IKEA’s customer contact centre at 6786-6868. -/TISG