Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears

CPSC Recall #01-146 — May 9, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-146
Recall DateMay 9, 2001
Remedy Type
Units AffectedAbout 150,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Wal-Mart Stores nationwide sold the twin packs containing the bear with the pom-pom on the cap from March 2001 through April 2001 for between $7 and $8.

Product

Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Unilever Home and Personal Care USA, of Greenwich, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 150,000 Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears with a nightcap and pom-pom. The yellow pom-pom can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.CPSC and Unilever Home and Personal Care USA have received one report of an infant who put the pom-pom in his mouth, gagged and began to choke before his mother removed the pom-pom. The bear was included as a promotional item in Snuggle®, Cuddle Up®, Fresh Rain™, and Sweet Slumber™ fabric softener products sold in twin packs. Each twin pack contains a bottle of liquid fabric softener and a box of softener sheets along with the bear. The bean bear is 5 inches tall and wears a blue nightcap with a yellow moon and star design. At the end of the nightcap is a yellow pom-pom. A label on the bear reads in part "©2001 Lever Brothers Company, Made In China."Wal-Mart Stores nationwide sold the twin packs containing the bear with the pom-pom on the cap from March 2001 through April 2001 for between $7 and $8.Consumers should immediately remove the bear's pom-pom to eliminate the choking hazard. For additional information, consumers can contact Snuggle at (800)-598-5005 between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at Snuggletime.com.No other Snuggle bears are included in this recall.

Hazard

The yellow pom-pom can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Unilever Home and Personal Care USA have received one report of an infant who put the pom-pom in his mouth, gagged and began to choke before his mother removed the pom-pom.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately remove the bear's pom-pom to eliminate the choking hazard. For additional information, consumers can contact Snuggle at (800)-598-5005 between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy 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, replacement, or repair) 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.