Safety regulator, Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Announce Recall of Plush Snuggle® Bears

Recall number

02105

Date

Feb 20, 2002

Company

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA

Units affected

4,000,000

Product

Plush Snuggle® Bears

Product type

Toy Animals Stuffed/Not Stuffed

Hazard

Choking

The plush, cream-colored bears come in three sizes: a 5-inch bean bear, an 8-inch bean bear and a 10-inch stuffed bear. The 5-inch bears come in four styles: Pajama Bear wears blue, one-piece pajamas with a yellow moon and star design; Nightcap Bear wears a blue nightcap with a yellow moon and star design; Purple Blanket Bear holds a purple blanket; Pink Blanket Bear holds a pink blanket. The 8-inch bean bear is made of terry or plush fabric. The 10-inch plain stuffed bear is in a sitting position and has tan paws and ears. All the bears have tags that read "Snuggle®" and "Made in China." No other Snuggle Bears are involved in this recall.

The eyes and noses of these bears can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Consumers should take these bears away from young children immediately and contact Unilever Home and Personal Care USA for information on how to receive a coupon for free Snuggle fabric softener.

Incidents

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA has received 32 reports of the eyes and noses coming off of these bears. In three of these reports, children placed detached eyes from these bears in their mouths. No injuries were reported.

Sold at

Grocery and discount department stores nationwide sold the Snuggle fabric softener that included the 5-inch and 8-inch bears, between May 1999 and July 2001. The Pajama and Nightcap 5-inch bears also were given away to consumers who sent in two proofs of purchase for Snuggle fabric softener...