Next urgently recalls £4 homeware item over ‘scalding’ risk & warns customers to ‘return it immediately’
NEXT has urgently recalled a £4 homeware item over a “scalding” risk and warned customers to “return it immediately”.
The item, which comes in three different variants, lacks the required instructions and warnings.
The Bubble Tea Cups – which are manufactured in China and available in “Brights Mango”, “Kawai Strawberry”, and “Santa” designs – could lead customers to drink from them while the liquid is still too hot, the company said.
The notice stated: “Unfortunately, it’s come to light that there’s a problem with the instructions for these items which indicate that the drink should be made with hot water, without further instructions clarifying that the drink should be allowed to cool before drinking.
“As there is a risk that the drink could be too hot to drink through a straw, there’s a risk of scalds or burns.
“As the bubble tea doesn’t meet our strict technical specifications requiring clearer instructions, we’ve taken the precaution of recalling them.”
Any customers who have purchased the cups – which are listed under the product codes 651994, 651996, and 440908 – are entitled to a full refund.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards also issued its own notice regarding the item.
It read: “The products present a risk of burns as they lack the appropriate instructions and warnings.
“The instructions provided indicate that the bubble tea should be made with hot water, but do not warn users that they should allow the drink to cool before drinking it.
“The drink could be too hot to drink through a straw and may result in the user receiving burns/scalds.
“The products do not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.”
Customers who have purchased the item online should dispose of it immediately – and can be credited or refunded in-full.
Those who bought it in-store have been urged to return it in person for their refund.
The retailer urged anyone who has given the item away as a gift to ask the recipient to call 0333 777 8000 as soon as possible.