A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand underwent emergency surgery after ingesting dozens of high-powered magnets purchased from the online platform Temu, underscoring global concerns about dangerous products sold via e-commerce marketplaces.
Doctors at Tauranga Hospital reported the alarming case, noting the boy required surgical removal of necrotic tissue from his intestines caused by the ingested magnets. He had suffered severe abdominal pain for four days before being hospitalized.
X-rays revealed approximately 80 to 100 small neodymium magnets, each measuring 5×2 millimeters, clumped into four distinct lines inside his digestive tract. These magnetic clusters were holding together different sections of his intestines, creating intense pressure.
This extreme pressure led to tissue death in four areas of his small and proximal large intestines. Surgeons successfully removed the affected intestinal sections and extracted all the magnets.
The boy was discharged after an eight-day hospital stay. Medical professionals warn that surgeries for magnet ingestion can lead to long-term complications, including intestinal obstruction, abdominal hernias, and chronic pain.
High-powered magnets of this type have been banned in New Zealand since January 2013 due to their inherent safety risks, particularly for children. The incident highlights the dangers of unregulated online marketplaces, especially concerning products accessible to young consumers.
Temu, the China-founded e-commerce giant, expressed regret over the incident. A spokesperson stated the company has launched an internal investigation and is seeking more details from the authors of the medical journal article.
The company could not immediately confirm if the magnets were specifically purchased on its platform or identify the exact product. However, Temu’s team is reviewing related listings to ensure compliance with local safety regulations.
Temu has previously faced scrutiny in markets, including the European Union, over allegations of not adequately removing illegal or unsafe products from its platform.