Parents and caregivers across the UK are being issued with an urgent safety warning following the recall of several popular children's books. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has identified a significant choking risk associated with specific printings of five books from the beloved Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee series.
Immediate Action Required for Specific Printings
The recall, initiated by publisher Ladybird Books Limited, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House, is a precautionary measure due to a discovered manufacturing fault. The issue centres on a glitter varnish finish applied to the front covers of the books, which has been found to lift and flake off during normal use.
"The products present a risk of choking as the glitter varnish finish on the cover can lift and flake off, creating small parts," states the official hazard warning from the OPSS. "These small parts pose a choking hazard to children, particularly those under 36 months of age who have a natural tendency to explore objects by placing them in their mouths."
Which Books Are Affected?
The recall is limited to a specific batch of softcover picture books. Four of the titles feature the iconic Peppa Pig character, while one book stars characters from the CBeebies show Hey Duggee. Crucially, the problem is confined to a limited number of printings manufactured in the UK during 2020 and 2021 at a specific printer.
Authorities confirm that the affected products do not comply with the safety requirements outlined in the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. The recall is being managed voluntarily by Ladybird Books as a direct response to the identified fault.
How to Identify and Return Affected Copies
If you own one of these children's books, it is essential to check whether your copy is from an affected printing. You can find the unique print number on the copyright page inside the book. The recall notice explicitly lists the ISBN and print number for each of the five products involved.
Additionally, affected copies will contain a reference to being "Printed in Great Britain" or "Printed in the United Kingdom" on the same copyright page. The OPSS and Penguin have provided clear instructions for consumers who discover they own a recalled book.
"If you have a copy from any of the printings listed above please take the book away from small children and return it to the retailer you bought it from for a full refund," advises the official Penguin recall statement. It notes that a receipt is not required for the refund process.
Official Safety Recommendations
In response to the notice, Ladybird Books Limited has begun recalling the products from end users. The OPSS has issued the following critical advice for parents and guardians:
- Immediately keep these specific products out of reach of young children.
- Return any affected book to the point of purchase for a full refund.
- Be assured that no other printings of these titles, or any other Ladybird books, are affected by this particular issue.
For further information and to verify the specific ISBN numbers and print details, consumers are directed to the official Penguin recall page or can contact customer support directly. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance regarding children's products and heeding official safety recalls to protect young ones from potential harm.
