Sesame Street "Cookie Monster" stuffed toy

CPSC Recall #89-084 - August 30, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-084
Recall DateAugust 30, 1989
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 1,908

Product

Sesame Street "Cookie Monster" stuffed toy

Description

WASHINGTON, DC. -- Applause, Inc. of Woodland Hills, CA, is voluntarily recalling a 28-inch stuffed "Sesame Street" figure, "Cookie Monster," with rattle eyes because of a potential choking hazard to young children. The stuffed toy being recalled is identified as "Cookie Monster" (Model #14087, Made in Korea) and is made of blue plush fur. The large eyes of the toy shatter easily, allowing small pellets to fall out which could be ingested by small children and cause choking. Approximately 1,908 of these stuffed toys were sold in retail stores nationwide from May, 1988 through December, 1988 for approximately $60.00 each. While neither the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) nor Applause, Inc. is aware of any injuries associated with the stuffed toy, this recall is being taken to prevent the possibility of injury. Consumers having the stuffed toys should take them away from children and return them to the retail store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers who have any questions about this recall should call Applause, Inc. at 1-800-777-3998 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The U.S. Customs Service identified the potentially hazardous toys at the Port of Newark during a joint surveillance program conducted with the CPSC.

Hazard

The large eyes of the toy shatter easily, allowing small pellets to fall out which could be ingested by small children and cause choking.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers having the stuffed toys should take them away from children and return them to the retail store where purchased for a full refund.

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.