Walmart Recalls 4.48 Million Expert Grill Brushes Over Bristle Ingestion Risk

Walmart is recalling about 4.48 million Expert Grill brushes because metal wire bristles can detach, remain on a grill or stick to food and then be swallowed.

Featured image: Household brushes. Photo by John Cameron/Unsplash.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said detached bristles can cause serious internal injuries that may require surgery. Consumers should stop using the recalled brushes immediately and seek a refund or Walmart credit.

Which grill brushes are recalled

The recall covers Expert Grill wire-bristle grill brushes sold by Walmart. Owners should compare the product name and identifying information on their brush or packaging with the CPSC notice before discarding it.

Consumers may return an affected brush to a Walmart store for a full refund or credit for use in stores or at Walmart.com. The CPSC notice also says consumers may discard the brush.

Walmart’s customer-service number is 800-925-6278. The company’s help site is available through the recall notice.

Why loose bristles are dangerous

Wire bristles can be difficult to see once they detach and become embedded in food. If swallowed, a bristle can puncture the mouth, throat, stomach or intestines. Symptoms can include sharp pain, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain or fever.

Anyone who believes they may have swallowed a metal bristle should seek medical care promptly and tell the clinician about the possible exposure. A swallowed bristle may not be obvious without imaging.

What consumers should do now

1. Stop using the recalled brush.
2. Keep it away from children and food-preparation areas.
3. Check the CPSC notice for the exact identifying details.
4. Return it to Walmart or follow the company’s refund instructions.
5. Inspect the grill grate carefully before cooking again, especially if the brush has already shed wires.

Consumers replacing a wire brush can consider a bristle-free scraper, coil-style cleaner or grill stone that is compatible with the grate manufacturer’s instructions. Whatever tool is used, the grate should be inspected after cleaning.

A large consumer recall

The 4,477,655-unit recall is unusually broad for a grill accessory and makes checking home storage areas worthwhile even as the main summer grilling season winds down. Brushes may have been stored with outdoor cooking supplies and forgotten until the next use.

AskNovus tracks official product actions in its Home & Garden and Shopping sections. Recall instructions can change, so consumers should use the latest CPSC and Walmart notices rather than secondary social-media posts.

Sources

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice, Oct. 1, 2026
• Walmart Help, accessed Oct. 7, 2026

Reporting by AskNovus Editorial Team.