"Bottle Cap Bear" Key Chains
CPSC Recall #02-244 — September 3, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-244 |
| Recall Date | September 3, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 8,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Select auto racing souvenir shops and collectibles stores nationwide sold the key chains from January 2002 through July 2002 for about $10. |
Product
"Bottle Cap Bear" Key Chains
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Team Beans LLC, of East Brunswick, N.J., is recalling about 8,000 "Bottle Cap Bear" key chains. A miniature "Coca-Cola" bottle that attaches to the body of the plush bear key chain can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children. Team Beans LLC imported the key chains as part of a licensing agreement with The Coca-Cola Co.Team Beans LLC has not received any reports of bottles attached to the key chains coming off. This recall is being announced to prevent the possibility of injuries.The 4-inch "Bottle Cap Bear" key chains feature an auto-racing theme. The bears have white heads and tails, and hold a miniature "Coca- Cola" bottle in their left paws. The bears' outfits contain colors and insignia associated with selected professional racecar drivers. The featured driver's racing number is written on a bottle cap design on the bear's front. The back of each bear has a patch that contains the words, "THE COCA-COLA™ RACING FAMILY," and a black and white checkered "Coca- Cola" bottle in the middle.Select auto racing souvenir shops and collectibles stores nationwide sold the key chains from January 2002 through July 2002 for about $10.Consumers should take the key chains away from children immediately, and return them to Team Beans for a refund or credit plus postage. Mail the item to Team Beans Forever Collectibles, Attention: Geoff Geruso - cc, 11 Elkins Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. For more information, contact Team Beans at (800) 450-5585 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Hazard
A miniature "Coca-Cola" bottle that attaches to the body of the plush bear key chain can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Team Beans LLC has not received any reports of bottles attached to the key chains coming off. This recall is being announced to prevent the possibility of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take the key chains away from children immediately and return them to Team Beans for a refund or credit plus postage. Mail the item to Team Beans Forever Collectibles,
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.