The popular barbecue brand Weber has recalled more than 3.2 million grill brushes sold nationwide over concerns that the metal-wire bristles could detach from the brushes, posing an ingestion hazard.
Nearly 40 complaints were documented, including four instances where people ingested the loose wire bristles, forcing them to seek medical care after the metal pieces became lodged in their digestive tracts or throats, the agency said.
"Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled grill brushes and contact Weber for a cold cleaning nylon bristle grill brush replacement," CPSC advised, adding that the affected grill brushes should be discarded.
Six products with plastic or bamboo handles spanning between 12 and 21 inches long are included in the recall and feature the model numbers 6277, 6278, 6463, 6464, 6493, and 6494. The plastic handles are stamped with the Weber grill logo; the bamboo handles are branded on the back with the Weber logo.
The affected grill brushes were manufactured in China and Cambodia. The products were sold in stores and online at Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Target, as well as on Amazon and Weber's website from 2011 to 2026. The cleaning tools, which cost between $10 and $17, were also available on eBay.com and other resale sites.
Responding to Weber's post, many social media users pointed out the ongoing risk of the brushes.
"How are you still making them? This isn't a new issue," one person wrote.
"People are still unaware and use these?" another commented.
"We spent Thanksgiving in the children's hospital because my daughter got a bristle from this brush stuck in her throat during lunch," a third shared.
NTD reached out to Weber for comment, but a response was not received by publication time. However, the company wrote online that "customer safety and satisfaction" are its top priorities.
Weber said consumers can find more information about how to obtain the replacement brush on its website by clicking the "Recall Notice" button at the bottom of the company's homepage.