Walmart is recalling about 4,477,655 Expert Grill metal wire bristle grill brushes because small wire bristles can detach and stick to the grill or to food. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall on October 1, 2026, warning of an ingestion hazard and a “risk of serious internal injuries that could require surgery.”
No incidents or injuries have been reported with these brushes, according to the CPSC. The recall addresses the hazard itself rather than any confirmed harm from this product line.
The brushes were sold for more than five years, some for as little as $1, so many households may still have one. A stray bristle on grilled food can be hard to spot.
Five Expert Grill Models Sold Since 2021
The recall covers Expert Grill brushes with black plastic or stainless-steel handles, some with an attached metal scraper. They were sold at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com from January 2021 through August 2026 for $1 to $28. The brushes were made in China and imported by Walmart Inc. of Bentonville, Arkansas.
The recalled model numbers are EX5607031616002 (16-inch steel fiber scrub brush with scraper), EX5607031616003 (handheld steel fiber scrub brush), XG1310700206 (21-inch three-head grill brush), XG1136178597003 (17.7-inch long-handle grill brush with scraper), and XG1410700124 (10-piece BBQ grill tools set). Sales periods vary by model. The model number appears on the packaging or on a sticker or tag attached to the brush.
“Consumers should stop using the recalled grill brushes immediately and contact Walmart for a full refund or a credit for use at any Walmart store or Walmart.com,” the CPSC notice states. Owners will be asked to return the brushes to Walmart or throw them away. Walmart can be reached toll-free at 800-925-6278 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, or online through its help and recalls pages.
This is one of several wire brush recalls this year. MedicalDaily reported in August that Conair expanded its Cuisinart grill brush recall to about 3.6 million units. After Weber recalled more than 3.2 million brushes in February, then-Acting CPSC Chairman Peter A. Feldman said in a statement on the Weber recall that “manufacturers of similar products have a choice: work proactively with CPSC to address known hazards or face continued enforcement scrutiny.”
From Grill Grate to Throat and Intestines
Wire bristles can break off while a grill is being scrubbed and stay on the grate. From there, they can stick to the next food cooked, where they are difficult to see.
Once swallowed, a bristle can lodge in the mouth, tonsils, or throat. It can also travel farther into the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, and in some cases move out through the intestinal wall and cause further damage. University of Missouri researchers estimated 1,698 U.S. emergency department visits for wire-bristle brush injuries from 2002 to 2014, with the mouth, throat, and tonsils most often affected.
“One little bristle unrecognized could get lodged in various areas of the body, whether in the throat, tonsil or neck region,” Dr. C.W. David Chang, the study’s senior author, said when the University of Missouri study findings were released.
The problem has not faded. A study in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology estimated about 3,739 emergency visits from 2015 to 2023, compared with about 1,632 from 2006 to 2014. The authors concluded that awareness strategies “have not decreased the estimated incidence of injury in the United States.” These national estimates are based on a small number of hospital cases (85 in the later period) and carry wide margins of error. They also cannot be tied to any specific brand, including Expert Grill.
Adults Under 40 Account for the Largest Share
In the newer study, adults ages 19 to 40 made up about 38% of cases, and those ages 41 to 60 made up about 34%. Children and teens under 18 accounted for about 14%, down from about 30% in the earlier period.
Warning signs after eating grilled food include pain or trouble swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck in the throat. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor or go to an emergency department and mention the recent grilled meal, because a tiny wire can be easy to miss without the right tests.
Owners should first check the model number. If it matches, they should stop using the brush and contact Walmart for a refund or store credit. For any wire brush, the Missouri researchers advised inspecting it for loose bristles before use, checking the grate before cooking, and looking over food after grilling. They also suggested nylon-bristle brushes or balls of tin foil as alternatives.
Key Questions Answered
Which Walmart grill brushes are recalled? Expert Grill wire brushes with model numbers EX5607031616002, EX5607031616003, XG1310700206, XG1136178597003, and XG1410700124 are included.
When and where were they sold? At Walmart stores and on Walmart.com from January 2021 through August 2026, for $1 to $28.
Has anyone been hurt? The CPSC says no incidents or injuries have been reported with these brushes.
What should owners do? Stop using the brush and contact Walmart at 800-925-6278 or online for a full refund or store credit.
What symptoms could signal a swallowed bristle? Pain or trouble swallowing, or a feeling that something is stuck in the throat after eating grilled food, should prompt a visit to a doctor or emergency department.
Are bristle injuries common? They are uncommon, but estimated U.S. emergency visits rose to about 3,739 from 2015 to 2023, up from about 1,632 from 2006 to 2014.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
