Toycraft Stuffed Teddy Bear
CPSC Recall #88-035 — June 5, 1988
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 88-035 |
| Recall Date | June 5, 1988 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 9,000 |
| Manufacturer | Toycraft Industries, Inc., of Brooklyn, New York |
Product
Toycraft Stuffed Teddy Bear
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Toycraft Industries of Brooklyn, New York is voluntarily recalling a stuffed teddy bear. The eyes and nose come off the bear and are small parts which present a serious choking hazard. A 2 year old child died of asphyxiation when the plastic nose from the teddy bear lodged at the base of her larynx. The teddy bears are 26 inches tall and 9 inches wide across the chest and come in assorted colors. A sewn-in tag on the bears identifies the manufacturer as "Toycraft Industries, Inc., Brooklyn, New York," and further states, "Stuffed Toys for Tots and Teens." Consumers should take the bear away from young children. A full refund will be offered at the store where the bear was purchased. Approximately 9,000 of the bears were sold during this past year for around $6.00. Anyone wishing additional information may call Toycraft at (718) 788-2900.
Hazard
The eyes and nose come off the bear and are small parts which present a serious choking hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
A 2 year old child died of asphyxiation when the plastic nose from the teddy bear lodged at the base of her larynx.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take the bear away from young children. A full refund will be offered at the store where the bear was purchased.
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.