North American Bear Company Recalls Two Stuffed Animals

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the North American Bear Company of Chicago, IL, is voluntarily recalling their "Cats Pajamas" and "Slugger Bear" stuffed animals.

When tested by the CPSC, the cat's pajama buttons and the bear's jacket snaps separated during tension testing producing small parts that could be a fatal choking hazard to young children.

The "Cats Pajamas" consist of a stuffed cat covered with gray fur, a pink nose, plastic eyes, and dressed in a pink and white striped two-piece pajama set. The cat's pajama top has a small pocket and two round white plastic buttons in the front. A tag is attached on the back of the cat that reads in part "Cat Pajamas #1162, North American Bear Co., Inc."

The "Slugger Bear" comes with a wooden bat attached to the sleeve of a purple jacket with red trim. "F.A.O. Schwarz" is printed in red on the bat and on a tag attached to the bear. The brown furred bear has a red and blue cap attached to his head with a yellow rocking horse printed on the front flap. The bear is wearing a red and yellow striped body suit that cannot be removed.

The cat was distributed nationwide at a retail price of approximately $24.00 and was last sold by North American Bear in March of 1991. The bear was distributed nationwide through November of 1991 and sold for approximately $40.00.

Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

These products were called to the Commission's attention by two consumer groups.

Consumers are urged to take the cat and bear away from young children immediately. Consumers who have the cat should contact the North American Bear Company at (312) 329-0020 for instructions on returning them. The slugger bear was sold exclusively by F.A.O. Schwarz stores and should be returned to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.