Sophie the Giraffe, the popular teething toy, has been voluntarily withdrawn from sale by an importer in Denmark.
The information was published on the European Union Consumer Affairs website stating that its potential as a choking hazard was the reason for stopping its sale: “The product poses a risk of choking because the dimensions of the legs mean that they could get stuck in the mouth of children unable to sit up unaided.
“The product does not comply with the Toys Directive and with the relevant European standard EN 71.”
[ Image : EU safety notice on Sophie the Giraffe toy ]
Sophie La Girafe, as it is known in France (its country of origin), has been sold since 1961. It has been a popular toy among parents and has yet to involved in an official national recall.
The affected products model number is: Small, ref. 616324.
The Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX) describe Sophie the Giraffe as: “[A] Squeeze toy made of natural rubber in the shape of a giraffe. The toy is white with brown spots. It makes a squeaky sound when squeezed. The approximate dimensions of the giraffe are 180 mm x 100 mm x 50 mm. The weight of the giraffe is approximately 54 to 60 g.”