Go Backs
HomeCategoriesStatesCheck Your Home
Go Backs

Track product recalls and safety alerts from CPSC, FDA, NHTSA, and USDA. Stay informed and keep your family safe.

Browse

  • Categories
  • States
  • Check Your Home
  • Risk Levels

Agencies

  • CPSC
  • FDA Food
  • FDA Drug
  • FDA Device
  • FDA Veterinary
  • NHTSA
  • USDA

Company

  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy

Recall data is sourced from official U.S. government agencies (CPSC, FDA, NHTSA, USDA) and processed using AI to improve readability. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Always refer to the original agency notice for authoritative information.

ยฉ 2026 Go Backs. All rights reserved.

Medium RiskCPSC
Toys & Games/Children's Toys (3-12)

Dunecraft Recalls Water Balz, Skulls, Orbs and Flower Toys Due to Serious Ingestion Hazard

Agency Publication Date: December 17, 2012
Share:
Sign in to monitor this recall

Summary

Dunecraft has recalled approximately 94,700 water-absorbing toys, including Water Balz, Growing Skulls, H2O Orbs "Despicable Me," and Fabulous Flowers. These marble-sized toys expand up to 400 times their original size when they absorb water, which can lead to life-threatening internal blockages if swallowed. The company received a report of an 8-month-old girl who swallowed a Water Balz toy and required surgery to remove the intestinal obstruction. These toys were sold at various retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby, and online at amazon.com between September 2010 and November 2012.

Risk

If these toys are ingested, they expand inside the body and cause severe blockages in the small intestine, leading to vomiting, dehydration, and potential death. Because the materials do not show up on x-rays, the toys must be surgically removed to clear the obstruction.

What You Should Do

  1. Immediately stop using and take these toys away from children to prevent accidental ingestion.
  2. Identify affected products by checking for packaging labeled 'Dunecraft' and the names Water Balz (BC-0338), Growing Skulls (BC-0320), H2O Orbs 'Despicable Me' (DM-0447), or Fabulous Flowers (BC-0440).
  3. Check for toys sold in green, yellow, red, blue, and black colors that are marble-sized when dry.
  4. Contact Dunecraft Inc. at 800-306-4168 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit www.dunecraft.com to receive a free replacement toy.
  5. For additional information, you can call the CPSC Hotline at 800-638-2772.

Your Remedy Options

๐Ÿ“‹Replace

Consumers should immediately take this recalled toy away from children and contact Dunecraft for a free replacement toy.

Contact: Dunecraft Inc.; at (800) 306-4168, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.dunecraft.com and click on the recall tab for more information.

Affected Products

Product: Water Balz
Model:
BC-0338
Date Ranges: September 2010 through November 2012
Product: Growing Skulls
Model:
BC-0320
Date Ranges: September 2010 through November 2012
Product: H2O Orbs "Despicable Me"
Model:
DM-0447
Date Ranges: June 2012
Product: Fabulous Flowers
Model:
BC-0440
Date Ranges: June 2012 through November 2012

Product Images

Water Balz

Water Balz

Water Balz grow to 400 times their original size

Water Balz grow to 400 times their original size

Growing Skulls

Growing Skulls

H2O Orbs

H2O Orbs

Fabulous Flowers

Fabulous Flowers

Additional Information

Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Recall ID: 13071
Status: Active
Sold By: Water Balz and Growing Skulls were sold at Bed Bath & Beyond, Five Below, Hobby Lobby, Lakeshore Learning Materials, Microcenter, Urban Outfitters Direct, Wegmans and other stores nationwide, and online at amazon.com, incrediblescience.com, keyporthobbies.com, americantoystores.com and other websites from September 2010 through November 2012 for about $3 per package. The H2O Orbs "Despicable Me" were sold exclusively at Universal Studios stores during June 2012 for about $3 per package. Fabulous Flowers were sold exclusively at Milaeger's in Racine, Wis. from June 2012 through November 2012 for about $3 per package.
Manufactured In: China, United States
Units Affected: About 94,700 in the United States and 600 in Canada
Distributed To: Nationwide
Importer: Dunecraft Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio
Contact: Dunecraft Inc.; at (800) 306-4168, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.dunecraft.com and click on the recall tab for more information.
Agency Last Updated: July 31, 2015

Were You Affected by This Recall?

If you or a family member were harmed by this recalled product, you may have legal rights. Consider consulting a consumer protection attorney to understand your options for compensation.

Find an Attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. Go Backs is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.

AI-Enhanced Content: The summary, action steps, and risk assessment on this page were generated by AI from official government recall data to improve readability. This is not legal or medical advice. Always refer to the official agency sources below for authoritative information.

Sources: CPSC Notice ยท Raw API Response