Patagonia Penguino stuffed penguin toys

CPSC Recall #95-090 — March 8, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-090
Recall DateMarch 8, 1995
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected3,000

Where It Was Sold

Patagonia sold the toy for $18.00 from July 1994 through February 1995 through the company's mail order Kid's catalog and Patagonia-owned retail stores.

Product

Patagonia Penguino stuffed penguin toys

Description

Washington, DC - CPSC, Patagonia Inc. of Ventura, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 3,000 of its Patagonia Penguino stuffed penguin toys. The toy's plastic eyes may detach, creating a potential choking hazard for young children. The Penguino, made of pile and Synchilla, a soft, fuzzy material, comes in eight colors: light plum, sea green, prussian blue, teal green, bluegrass, red-violet, eggplant, and cobalt. The toy has a printed underbelly, yellow beaks and feet, and bushy grayish-white eyebrows. There is a Patagonia label visible on the right wing. Patagonia sold the toy for $18.00 from July 1994 through February 1995 through the company's mail order Kid's catalog and Patagonia-owned retail stores. Although no injuries have been reported to Patagonia or CPSC, Patagonia reported the potential hazard to CPSC in order to prevent possible future injuries. Consumers are urged to take the stuffed animals away from young children immediately and contact the company at (800) 338-6464 to obtain information about several options for returning the toy. Consumers will receive a full refund and a $25 gift certificate for other Patagonia products. Consumers can also return the toys directly to Patagonia retail stores. Please direct media inquiries for Patagonia to Ms. Lu Setnicka at (805) 643-8616.

Hazard

The toy's plastic eyes may detach, creating a potential choking hazard for young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Although no injuries have been reported to Patagonia or CPSC, Patagonia reported the potential hazard to CPSC in order to prevent possible future injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are urged to take the stuffed animals away from young children immediately and contact the company at (800) 338-6464 to obtain information about several options for returning the toy. Consumers will receive a full refund and a $25 gift certificate for other Patagonia products. Consumers can also return the toys directly to Patagonia retail stores.

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.