BENTONVILLE, AR — Walmart has recalled nearly 4.4 million Expert Grill brushes after federal regulators said the wire bristles can come loose, stick to grills or food and create a risk of serious internal injury.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the bristles can end up in meals and may cause injuries that could require surgery. The recall, announced Oct. 1, covers five products sold at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com for as little as $1 and as much as $28.
No injuries or incidents have been reported so far, but the hazard may not be easy for shoppers to spot until after the brush has been used. Some of the affected products were sold beginning in January 2021, meaning they may still be in homes years after purchase.
Which Expert Grill products are included in the recall
The recall involves a range of Expert Grill barbecue-cleaning items sold under Walmart’s own brand. The affected products include handheld brushes, long-handled brushes with scrapers, a three-head stainless steel bristle brush and a 10-piece barbecue tool set.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the brushes have either black plastic or stainless steel handles, and some include attached metal scrapers. Consumers are being directed to check model numbers listed in the recall notice to determine whether their product is included.
Because the items were sold through stores and online, Walmart said shoppers may have bought them in person or through Walmart.com. The company said the recalled brushes were distributed over a period of several years, which increases the chance that customers could still have them in use.
Why regulators say the brushes are dangerous
The risk comes from the metal bristles themselves. During normal cleaning, the bristles can break loose from the brush and stay behind on a cooking surface or inside food prepared on the grill.
That creates a danger that may not be obvious at first glance. A person could eat food that has picked up a loose bristle and later face a serious internal injury, according to the federal safety warning.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the injury potential is severe enough that surgery may be needed in some cases. The recall was issued as a precaution even though no injuries have been reported.
What Walmart is asking customers to do now
Walmart is telling customers to stop using the recalled brushes right away. The company is offering a full refund or store credit for use at Walmart stores or on Walmart.com.
Customers are being asked to return the brushes to a store or discard them. Walmart said it has worked with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the manufacturer to remove the products from stores and notify buyers about the recall.
In a statement, a Walmart spokesperson said customer health and safety remain a top priority. The company said purchasers should discontinue use and return the product to the nearest store for a full refund.
How shoppers can identify the recalled brushes
The recalled products can be identified by the model numbers listed in the Consumer Product Safety Commission notice. Walmart said the affected brushes were sold with different handle styles, including black plastic and stainless steel versions.
Some of the products also have attached metal scrapers, which may help shoppers distinguish them from other grill-cleaning tools they own. Because the products span several designs, checking the recall notice is the safest way to confirm whether a brush is included.
Consumers can also use Walmart’s product recall website for more information. The company says the recall applies to items sold both in stores and online across the country.
Where the recalled brushes were made and how to get help
The recalled grill brushes were manufactured in China and imported by Walmart, which is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company said it is cooperating with federal regulators and the manufacturer as it removes the products from circulation.
Consumers with questions can call Walmart at 800-925-6278 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. Walmart also directs shoppers to its recall website for additional instructions and refund information.
The recall adds to a growing list of consumer product safety warnings affecting widely sold items this year. For Walmart customers who bought an Expert Grill brush, the immediate advice is simple: stop using it, check the model number and take steps to return or dispose of it.
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