Ireland’s consumer watchdog has issued a stern directive to retailers and distributors still peddling teething jewelry that poses choking or strangulation hazards to infants, ordering them to immediately withdraw these products from sale.
Amber teething products, marketed to parents with claims of reducing teething pain by releasing minute amounts of oil that purportedly alleviate inflammation and act as an analgesic when absorbed into babies’ bloodstream, lack scientific backing for their efficacy. However, it’s not their effectiveness but their potential risks that have spurred the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) into action.
The CCPC emphasized the grave dangers these products pose to babies and young children, citing risks of choking and strangulation. In response to consumer reports, the CCPC has compelled multiple distributors across Ireland to cease the sale of all amber teething jewelry, both in physical stores and online.
Collaborating with the HSE, the CCPC has been disseminating updated information on the hazards associated with these products to businesses. Furthermore, it’s coordinating efforts with other European product safety authorities to identify and address the suppliers of these items.
Gráinne Griffin, the CCPC’s director of communications, underscored that while teething can be a challenging period for both parents and children, amber teething jewelry presents more risks than remedies. The jewelry can disassemble in a baby’s mouth, posing a choking hazard, and the cords around a child’s neck carry the risk of strangulation.
Griffin expressed gratitude to consumers who reported the sale of these products and urged continued vigilance. She encouraged individuals to alert authorities upon encountering teething beads or other potential hazards advertised for use with children.
Dr. Abigail Collins of the HSE echoed concerns about the dangers posed by these products and emphasized the lack of convincing evidence supporting their purported pain relief properties. She advised alternatives such as teething rings, sugar-free teething gel, or chilled foods for babies at various teething stages. Importantly, she stressed the importance of never placing cords, strings, or chains around a baby’s neck and keeping small objects out of reach to prevent choking hazards.