Retailers Sainsbury’s and Argos have issued a rapid product recall just before Christmas for a children’s game found to pose a serious choking hazard. The game, Jungle Heads & Tails, manufactured by Orchard Toys, was sold in stores across the UK and is marketed for toddlers aged 18 months and up.
The decision to withdraw the game was made after it was discovered that a small cardboard disc, intended to be removed during production, remained in some units. According to the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the inclusion of this loose component means the toy does not meet safety requirements set out in the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Faulty Design Leaves Small Part Accessible to Children
The recall notice centres on a manufacturing error involving the toy’s elephant card piece. As explained by the OPSS, the issue lies with “a cardboard disc which should have been removed from the nose as part of the manufacturing process.” The disc, classified as a small part, remains in place in certain batches, making it easily accessible to young children, particularly those under 36 months, who are more likely to explore toys orally.
The OPSS stated the product presents a “serious risk of choking”, and warned parents to stop using the toy immediately. Retailers were advised to pull the affected products from shelves, and parents have been urged to keep the game out of reach of children and return it for a refund or replacement.
The recall applies only to units bearing the batch code SP/001639/058/17.03.25. No other versions of Jungle Heads & Tails or other Orchard Toys products are affected by the issue. The game was manufactured in China and distributed widely across the UK during the run-up to the holiday season.
Clear Refund and Replacement Process Set in Motion
Orchard Toys, the company behind the product, has set up a dedicated page on its website for affected customers. According to statements from both retailers, customers are asked to detach and keep the box flap showing the batch code, dispose of the game, and then visit www.orchardtoys.com/jungleheadsnotice to begin a refund or replacement request.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Orchard Toys is offering either a £20 voucher with free delivery for use on its website, or a direct refund of £9.50, the game’s recommended retail price. Customers will need to send back the batch code section via freepost to validate the claim. The company has also requested that affected products not be returned to stores.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s reiterated that customers can also return the game in person for a full refund if they prefer. Argos issued an identical notice, also encouraging parents to act immediately if they have purchased the affected batch.
