Target pulls 200,000 Cat & Jack sandals over choking hazard
The CPSC says plastic pearls can detach from the children’s sandals; Target is offering full refunds and says no injuries have been reported.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
More than 200,000 pairs of children’s sandals sold by Target are being recalled because small plastic pearls on the shoes may come loose and create a choking hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The recall covers Cat & Jack-branded raffia sandals sold by the retailer earlier this year. The CPSC said Target has told customers to stop children from wearing the sandals and keep the footwear away from kids.
Target has received 23 reports that pearls detached from the sandals, according to the CPSC recall notice. No injuries have been reported, the agency said.
Which sandals are affected
The recalled sandals are Cat & Jack children’s raffia sandals with two raffia straps, gold buckles and plastic pearl decorations, according to the CPSC.
They were sold at Target stores and through Target’s website from January 2026 through May 2026. The sandals cost about $20, the agency said.
The recall affects more than 200,000 pairs, according to the CPSC notice.
What shoppers should do
Consumers can contact Target for a full refund, according to the CPSC.
The agency said customers will be asked either to bring the sandals back to a Target store or return them by mail using a prepaid shipping label.
Parents and caregivers who have the sandals should remove them from use before arranging a refund, according to the CPSC’s recall statement.
Target’s children’s brand
Target launched Cat & Jack in 2016, according to CBS News. The line is one of the Minneapolis-based retailer’s children’s brands.
The company operates more than 2,000 stores across the United States, according to CBS News.
Target has issued previous children’s product recalls tied to choking hazards. CBS News reported that in 2020 the retailer recalled children’s boots, as well as swimsuits and rompers, over choking concerns.
The latest recall focuses on the detachable pearl decorations on the sandals, according to the CPSC. The agency’s notice directs consumers to Target for the refund process.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.