Fake Anti-Choking Devices Recalled Over Serious Safety Fears
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has launched a major recall of counterfeit anti-choking devices sold on Amazon, eBay, and other online marketplaces. These dodgy gadgets pose a real choking danger due to shoddy design and poor quality.
Spot the Fakes: What to Look Out For
- Type: Medical Device – Anti-Choking Device
- Product ID: Counterfeit versions lack official UKCA/CE marks, manufacturer details, UDI, and serial numbers.
- Country of Origin: Mainly China
- Description: Yellow or clear plastic devices designed to stop choking—but beware, colour may vary and fakes don’t carry safety markings.
See official images and product details here.
Why These Fakes Are Dangerous
- Can Make Choking Worse: They might fail to clear the airway and could push blockages deeper.
- Lookalike Fakes: They mimic the genuine LifeVac device but are usually made in China—real UK-approved devices are not.
- Poor Instructions: Fake products come with inadequate usage guidelines, putting lives at risk.
What’s Being Done and What You Should Do
- Amazon has recalled affected products and alerted customers.
- Listings removed from Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Alibaba, Fruugo, OnBuy, Facebook Marketplace, and DesertCart.
- Check your device’s authenticity using official guidance.
- Warning: If you think your device is fake or unbranded, don’t use it in an emergency. Dispose of it safely.
