Parents, There's Been a Massive Recall on Miniverse Sets
MGA Entertainment has recalled 21 million Miniverse Make It Mini sets.
The liquid resin in the sets were in violation of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
If you still have a Make It Mini set with unused liquid resin, you can contact the company to get a refund or replacement.
One of the hot-selling items of last holiday season were sets in MGA Entertainment's Make It Mini line. These came packed as a ball full of ingredients to make something dollhouse-sized, be it food from its café and diner series or a home décor item from its lifestyle line. Users would open the ball, arrange the materials — if it were a plate of spaghetti, for example, one could set the noodles and meatballs just so — and then set it in resin and leave it in the sun to harden in that perfect arrangement.
Unfortunately, MGA Entertainment has just announced that the resin can cause irrigation in skin, eyes and respiratory systems, and that ingredients in the resin are in violation of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, so they're issuing a recall. If you're one of the many who have purchased a set that's now being recalled, here's how to know if you've been affected and what to do next.
Why are the Make It Mini sets being recalled?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CSPC) announcement of the recall, the resin contains "acrylates (hydroxyethylmethacrylate 'HEMA' and isobornyl acrylate 'IBOA') in amounts prohibited in children’s products by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act." These are the chemicals that can cause the irritation in both children and adults, and the brand has already received more than two dozen complaints.
The resin is only a problem in its liquid form. "After the resins cure, they no longer present this hazard," the CSPC notes.
How can you tell if your Make It Mini set is included in the recall?
The CSPC has a list of recalled sets on its website. The list is long: There are nearly 40 separate products listed on it, including items in the “appliance,” “food” and “lifestyle” series, plus sets released for holidays like Halloween and Easter. In total, the recall encompasses nearly 21 million products. If you think you bought one, it's probably included in the recall.
What do you do if you have a recalled Make It Mini set?
First things first: Don't use or come in contact with any more of the liquid resin.
Then, you can contact MGA Entertainment for either a refund or a replacement product. If the set is unopened, you can return the entire product. If it's been opened and partially used, you can return just the unused portion of resin and submit a photo of the rest of the product. In either case, you can start by filling out this form on the MGA Entertainment website to request a pre-paid FedEx mailing label.
For more information about the recall, you can check out the FAQ on the MGA website, call customer service at 800-222-4685 (open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Saturday) or email mvcustomer_care@mgae.com.
How can I make sure the toys I'm buying are safe?
If any toy — or piece of equipment — comes with the option to register it with the brand, take the opportunity. Then you'll be notified automatically in the event of any recalls. (This is usually done for baby toys and gear for kids under the age of 3.)
In general, it's also good to keep an eye on the CSPC website — or download its recall app — to keep informed about recalls of toys or any other products around your house.
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