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"Alice VanderBear in High Tea Outfit" (Style #4152) and "Muffy VanderBear in Tree Trimming Outfit...

CPSC Recall #90-091 - May 7, 1990

Recall Summary

Recall Number90-091
Recall DateMay 7, 1990
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedApproximately 3,500 Alice VanderBears and approximately 20,000 Muffy VanderBears
ManufacturerNorth American Bear Co., Inc. of Chicago, IL

Product

"Alice VanderBear in High Tea Outfit" (Style #4152) and "Muffy VanderBear in Tree Trimming Outfit" (Style #7144)

Description

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the New York State Attorney General's Office, North American Bear Co., Inc. of Chicago, IL is issuing a warning to purchasers of two products in their VanderBear Family line. "Alice VanderBear in High Tea Outfit" (Style #4152) and "Muffy VanderBear in Tree Trimming Outfit" (Style #7144) have accessories that may separate from their outfits and present a small parts choking hazard to young children. Before giving these plush bears to children, consumers are urged to remove the pearl necklace and buttons from the dress on Alice VanderBear, and to remove the gingerbread man from the pocket of Muffy VanderBear. Approximately 3,500 Alice VanderBears were sold nationwide from January 1, 1989 to January 31, 1990 for $62.00 each. The bear stands 18 inches tall and has soft beige fur. Alice is dressed in a pink and white print dress with a white collar and trim. She is also wearing a straw hat with black trim and a pink flower attached to the front. The three buttons on the back of her dress and the pearl necklace around her neck may detach, producing small parts that could present a choking hazard to young children. Approximately 20,000 Muffy VanderBears were sold nationwide from July 1, 1989 to September 30, 1989 for $28.50 each. The bear stands 7-1/2 inches tall and has soft beige fur. Muffy is dressed in a red and white striped long-sleeved Christmas dress with large red plastic slip-on shoes. She is also wearing a red and white apron which has a hard plastic gingerbread man in the pocket that may come loose presenting a choking hazard to children. Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these plush bears. This warning is being announced to prevent the possibility of injury. CPSC learned about Alice VanderBear and Muffy VanderBear from the Empire State Consumer Association and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group this past holiday season. Consumers who have questions about this warning may contact the North American Bear Co. at (312) 329-0020.

Hazard

These VanderBear products have accessories that may separate from their outfits and present a small parts choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these plush bears.

Remedy Instructions

Before giving these plush bears to children, consumers are urged to remove the pearl necklace and buttons from the dress on Alice VanderBear, and to remove the gingerbread man from the pocket of Muffy VanderBear.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (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.

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