LONDON: Major discount retailer Home Bargains has issued an urgent product recall for a popular children’s water bottle over severe safety concerns that the product poses a direct choking risk to young children.
Parent company TJ Morris, alongside the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), issued the safety warning after tests revealed that the bottle’s drinking spout can easily detach from the lid. A detached spout creates a small, loose component capable of blocking a child’s airway. Consumers are urged to stop using the product immediately and keep it strictly out of reach of young children.
Product Recall Summary
| Field | Official Recall Details |
| Product Name | TJ Morris Toy Story Water Bottle |
| Retailer | Home Bargains (TJ Morris Ltd) |
| Brand / Model | TJ Morris / Model 75164 |
| Barcode | 10751640 |
| Product Description | Blue plastic water bottle with a red lid, decorated with Toy Story movie characters |
| Hazard Type | Choking Hazard (Detachable drinking spout) |
| Regulatory Non-Compliance | General Product Safety Regulations 2005 |
| Sale Dates | Available in stores from May 2026 onwards |
| Corrective Action | Immediate stop-use; return to any store for a full refund |
Detachable Spout Hazards and Choking Risks
The affected product was introduced across Home Bargains stores starting in May 2026 to coincide with the promotional release of Pixar’s Toy Story 5. Featuring popular animated characters on a bright blue casing with a contrasting red lid, the item became an instant hit among parents purchasing back-to-school and summer activity supplies for young children.
However, routine product safety reviews and consumer feedback established that the red drinking spout on top of the lid is prone to separating under normal or stressed usage conditions.
According to trading standards officers and the OPSS report, when the spout detaches, it instantly transforms into a small part that falls below statutory size thresholds for children’s items. Young children—particularly toddlers—have a natural tendency to put drinking spouts in their mouths while hydrating or playing. If the plastic piece detaches inside a child’s mouth, it presents an immediate risk of internal airway obstruction, asphyxiation, or severe injury.
Hazard Mechanism Flowchart:
[Normal Child Usage / Chewing]
│
▼
[Spout Separates from Red Lid Assembly]
│
▼
[Creates Small Loose Plastic Component]
│
▼
[Airway Obstruction & Ingestion Risk]
Affected Batch Codes and How to Identify Them
The official safety alert applies specifically to seven batch codes. Customers who purchased a Toy Story water bottle at Home Bargains between May 2026 and August 2026 are advised to inspect their items immediately.
Affected Batch Numbers
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11449732
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11449736
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11449737
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11449738
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11449742
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11449743
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11449744
Product Batch Verification:
1. Locate the price tag or swing tag attached at purchase.
2. Check the white care label located on the interior or underside of the bottle.
3. Compare the printed 8-digit batch code against the seven affected numbers above.
Home Bargains has clarified that only bottles carrying these specific batch numbers are included in the active recall. However, as a precaution, any customer who is uncertain about their bottle’s batch code—or who has already discarded the external swing tag and care label—can still return the item to any branch for a complete refund without hesitation.
Breaches of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005
The UK Trading Standards authority confirmed that the TJ Morris Toy Story water bottle fails to meet mandatory statutory safety levels under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
Under UK consumer law, manufacturers, importers, and high-street retailers have an absolute legal duty to ensure that products placed on the market are safe for their intended audience under normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. For items marketed directly for young children, regulations mandate strict mechanical durability testing to prevent small parts from detaching under tension, torque, or impact.
Because the spout on the affected batches can detach during drinking or carrying, the product poses an unacceptable safety risk, forcing TJ Morris to initiate an immediate recall from end-users nationwide.
Retailer Statement and Step-by-Step Refund Instructions
In a formal statement issued across its retail channels and customer notice boards, Home Bargains apologised to customers for the disruption while urging immediate compliance with the safety notice.
“We recommend that you stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach of young children. Return it to your nearest Home Bargains store for a full refund.“Check if you have bought the affected batch codes. Only these codes are affected. The information can be found on the swing tag on the product packaging and the care label inside the bottle. If you are unsure if your bottle is impacted or no longer have the packaging, return to store for a full refund. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”— Home Bargains Spokesperson
Action Plan for Parents and Guardians
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Immediate Discontinuation: Take the water bottle away from children immediately and store it in an inaccessible cabinet or high shelf.
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Inspect the Bottle: Locate the 8-digit batch code on the swing tag or care label to verify whether it matches one of the seven recalled codes.
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Return to Store: Take the bottle to any local Home Bargains outlet. No receipt or original packaging is required to claim a full cash refund.
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Customer Support Enquiries: Customers requiring further assistance or claiming remote guidance can contact the customer care team directly at
support@home.bargains.
Importance of Household Product Safety Audits
Child safety experts and consumer rights groups frequently emphasise that everyday items like water bottles, lunch boxes, and plastic novelty toys require periodic checks by parents. Small components that pass initial manufacturing standards can degrade over time due to wear and tear, repeated washing, or accidental drops.
Parents are advised to regularly inspect children’s drinking accessories for:
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Loose or cracked plastic spouts, straws, and bite valves.
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Worn rubber seals or silicone O-rings that could be pulled off and swallowed.
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Cracks in double-walled insulation could harbour bacteria or leave sharp edges.
By monitoring official product safety recalls published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and acting swiftly when alerts are issued, families can prevent avoidable home injuries and ensure their children remain protected. Discover more on UK News & Consumer Product Recalls.
Learn more about the Office for Product Safety and Standards and UK safety regulations under the Consumer Rights Act.
