McDonald's Recalls Hello Kitty Themed Whistles Due to Choking and Aspiration Hazards
Source: CPSC Recall #15021
Recall Date
2014-11-10
Manufacturer
McDonald's Corp., of Oakbrook, Ill.
Units Affected
About 2.3 million in the U.S. In addition, about 200,000 were distributed in Canada.
Products Involved
Hello Kitty® Birthday Lollipop Whistles
Hazard
Components inside of the whistle can detach, posing choking and aspiration hazards to young children.
Remedy
Consumers should immediately take the whistle away from children and return it to any McDonald's for a free replacement toy and either a yogurt tube or a bag of apple slices.
Reported Injuries
McDonald's has received two reports of children who coughed out pieces of the whistle that they had sucked into their mouths, including one child who received medical attention.
Sold At
McDonald's restaurants nationwide from October 2014 through the first week of November 2014 with Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals.
Manufactured In
China
Full Recall Description
The recalled whistles are red and were included in a plastic Hello Kitty figurine holding a pink heart-shaped lollipop. The whistle can be removed and used to make sounds by inhaling or exhaling through the mouthpiece. When closed, the figurine measures about 3 inches in height and width and 1 3/4 inches in depth. The whistle measures about 1 3/4 inches in height and width and 3/4 inches in depth. A picture of Hello Kitty appears on both sides of the whistle. The text "©1976, 2014 SANRIO CO., LTD." appears above Hello Kitty's face on the whistle, and "Made for McDonald's China CCW Chine" appears below Hello Kitty's face on the whistle. The bag in which the toy is packaged includes the text "Hello Kitty® Birthday Lollipop" and the number "6" in the upper right corner.
Data source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) via SaferProducts.gov.
For the most current recall information, check directly with CPSC or the manufacturer.
Last verified: 2026-03-28