Millions of Walmart shoppers who purchased grill-cleaning brushes over the past five years are being urged to stop using them due to potential injury risks from detached metal bristles.
Walmart has recalled nearly 4.5 million Expert Grill brushes after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) identified a hazard where wire bristles can break loose during cleaning and become lodged on grills or in food, potentially causing serious internal injuries requiring surgery.
The recall, announced Oct. 1, affects five products sold at Walmart stores and online, including Walmart.com, with prices ranging from $1 to $28. While no injuries or incidents have been reported, the potential danger may not be immediately obvious to consumers. Small metal bristles can detach from the brushes and remain on cooking surfaces, where they could adhere to food.
Some of the affected brushes have been distributed since January 2021, meaning consumers may have purchased them well before the recall announcement. The products were sold under Walmart’s Expert Grill brand and include handheld brushes, long-handled brushes with scrapers, a three-head stainless steel bristle brush, and a 10-piece barbecue tool set.
The recalled brushes have black plastic or stainless steel handles, and some feature attached metal scrapers. Consumers can identify the affected products using model numbers listed in the CPSC recall notice.
Walmart is offering customers a full refund or credit for use at its stores or on Walmart.com. Customers will be asked to return the recalled brushes or dispose of them safely. The products were manufactured in China and imported by Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Consumers can contact Walmart at 800-925-6278 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s product recall website for more information.
