Build-a-Bear has voluntarily recalled almost 300,000 of their Colorful Hearts Bears after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission determined that the teddy bear’s eyes could loosen and fall out, posing a choking hazard to children. A Company spokeswoman, Jill Saunders, has said no injuries have been reported.
The Colorful Heart Bear is the latest in a series of Build-a-Bear products to be recalled. In November 2011 a Teddy Bear Swimwear Set was recalled by the toy company after a 3-year-old girl tried to pull the bear's inner-tube accessory over her head and couldn't get it off. Another product, the Love Hugs Peace Lapel Pin, was also recalled in August when paint on the pin was found to contain excessive levels of lead. 260,000 folding beach chairs were recalled in 2009 when the CPSC alleged that sharp edges on the chairs could cause injuries when they were folded.
"That we have conducted three product recalls this year despite the fact that we have not received a single injury report related to any of those three products clearly demonstrates how seriously we take product safety," says Build-a-Bear spokeswoman Jennifer Saunders
Parents that have purchased a Colorful Hearts Bear can return them to any Build-A-Bear store for a coupon good for any available stuffed animal, the company says. Consumers can also call 866-236-5683 for more information.