Starbucks Bearista™ Bear tumbler cups
CPSC Recall #03-134 — May 27, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-134 |
| Recall Date | May 27, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 38,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Starbucks stores in the United States |
| Canada and Taiwan sold the recalled cups from April 2003 through May 2003 for approximately $7 (U.S.). |
Product
Starbucks Bearista™ Bear tumbler cups
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling approximately 38,000 plastic Bearista™ Bear tumbler cups. When the flexible straw on the cups is chewed, small pieces of plastic can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.Starbucks has received two reports of pieces of the straws becoming detached in the children's mouths. No injuries have been reported; however, in one instance, a child reportedly began to choke on a detached piece of the straw and the Heimlich Maneuver was administered by the parent to remove the small piece.The tumbler cup is constructed of translucent plastic in the shape of a bear with the words "Bearista™ Bear" printed on the front. The cup was sold in both blue and green. The cup has a screw-on lid in the shape of a bear's head, from which a soft, flexible straw protrudes. The product's lid can rotate such that the straw attachment can be bent (closed) to prevent liquid from leaking out.Starbucks stores in the United States, Canada and Taiwan sold the recalled cups from April 2003 through May 2003 for approximately $7 (U.S.).Parents and caregivers should stop young children from using these cups immediately, and return the cups to any Starbucks location for a refund and a free beverage of any size. For more information, consumers should contact Starbucks Customer Relations at (800) 235-2883 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET any day, or visit the company's website at Starbucks.com or Starbuckscollectibles.com for more information. Consumers may also write to Starbucks Coffee Company at Customer Relations, Starbucks Coffee Company, mailstop S-RC1, P.O. Box 3717, Seattle, WA 98124-3717.
Hazard
When the flexible straw on the cups is chewed, small pieces of plastic can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Starbucks has received two reports of pieces of the straws becoming detached in the children's mouths. No injuries have been reported; however, in one instance, a child reportedly began to choke on a detached piece of the straw and the Heimlich Maneuver was administered by the parent to remove the small piece.
Remedy Instructions
Parents and caregivers should stop young children from using these cups immediately, and return the cups to any Starbucks location for a refund and a free beverage of any size.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Federal law prohibits the sale of toys with small parts for children under age 3. CPSC uses a standardized small parts cylinder to test whether pieces from a toy can fit entirely inside — if they can, they are considered a choking hazard. Products marketed for children under 3 must not contain any small parts. Beyond the legal requirements, the CPSC and pediatricians recommend keeping all small objects away from children under 4, as the risk of choking extends beyond the formal legal age threshold.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.