McDonald's recalls Happy Meal toy for choking risk

, Nov 11: McDonald's is recalling a Hello Kitty-themed whistle given to children in Happy Meals, citing a chance they could choke on some of its parts.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said yesterday that two children have reportedly coughed out pieces of the whistle that they had sucked into their mouths, including one child who received medical attention.

The safety agency said that parts of the three-inch-tall "Hello Kitty Birthday Lollipop" whistle can detach and be inhaled, posing a risk to small children. McDonald's said about 2.5 million whistles were manufactured but the majority were not sent to restaurants. The toys that were handed out in the US and Canada in October and November were in Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals.

The fast-food chain said it has recovered about 1.6 million whistles. Consumers should return the whistle to any McDonald's for a free replacement toy.

AP