But Mega, which was best known for its Lego-like Mega Bloks before it acquired Magnetix-maker Rose Art, faces odds of approximately 3,720 to 1 of besting its larger adversary. The once-successful company is now laboring under a debt load of almost $400 million, and has been trying to sell off the non-Magnetix remains of Rose Art for over a year. The Globe and Mail lays out the state of the epic battle with analysis from onlookers like Scotia Capital's Anthony Zicha:

"It's a really sad story," says Zicha. ... "There's always a chance it will survive, but the likelihood is not great." In the toy business, says Zicha, "you have to have consumer confidence. If you break the relationship between the consumer and the retailer, you're pretty much done." Mega broke that rule, and it may pay with its life.

As much as we'd like to think that John-117 is up to it, he may just be backing the wrong side in this battle.

The Empire Strikes Back [Globe and Mail]

(Photo: brcake)

The toys were recently spotted all over Illinois by Attorney General Lisa Madigan and reporters for the Chicago Tribune. Kevin writes:

Last night I went to our our Wal-Mart in Ridgecrest, CA (#1600) and snapped some pics of the recalled magnet toys. Of the dozen or so different types of "kits" they had on the shelves, only three had the warning label.

I'm sorry they aren't better looking (on clarity and color) for I was using rather cheap camera.

Your Reader,

Kevin S.

Magnetix sets with a warning label about the danger of internal injury or death from ingesting the magnets are not part of the recall. These toys are newer and have been redesigned to prevent injury. In older versions, (no special intestine/swallowing warning label) the strong magnets could fall out of the toy.

If more than one is eaten by a child, the magnets attract within the body, causing severe injury and in at least one case, death. The confusion surrounding the "warning label/no warning label" issue has led to several more injuries.

It's not just a new warning label that they slapped on the box. They redesigned the toy to keep kids from having their intestines ripped apart. The older versions should not be still on shelves. Check your local Target, Walmart, Meijer, Kohl's and other stores for these toys and send us a picture if you find them, to: tips [at] consumerist [dot] com. Make sure they are, in fact, the recalled version by looking for a warning that reads:

"CAUTION: Do not ingest or inhale magnets.
Attraction of magnets in the body may cause
serious injury and require immediate medical care."

PREVIOUSLY: Deadly Recalled Toy Still Available At Walmart, Target, Kohl's And More

To date, CPSC and Mega Brands are aware of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. Emergency surgical intervention was needed in all but one case. At least 1,500 incidents of magnets separating from the building pieces have been reported.

The CPSC has also issued a general warning that small magnets are a serious health risk for children. Magnets have already been responsible for five CPSC recalls in the past year spanning over eight million items.

If two or more magnets, two or more magnet components, or a magnet and another metal object are swallowed separately, they can attract to one another through intestinal walls. When this happens, parents and physicians may think that the materials will pass through the child. But with magnets this is often not the case. The magnets become trapped in the body and can twist or pinch the intestine, causing holes, blockage and infection in the intestine or blood poisoning. All of which can lead to death.

Magnetix Magnetic Building Set Recall Expanded [CPSC]
Small Magnets Are Injuring Children; CPSC Releases Stronger Warning to Parents [CPSC]
Mega Brands