Review on Discover SmartMax Magnetic Building Set for Animals by Justin Verslues

Gave this to my son when he was about 13 months old, he is 16 months old now and although he loves it with it to play (like my 3 year old) I worry about the central part of the cylinder that connects the animals together. He likes to put it in his mouth and I'm worried he might choke on it if he puts it in his mouth. It's a few inches long, but not wide enough to put in your mouth and play with. Not sure if he would really choke on it but always there when they play with them how I worry.