Recall: IKEA Recalls Stuffed Teddy Bears

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2002 Release # 03-020

IKEA Recall Hotline: (888) 966-4532 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

CPSC, IKEA Announce Recall of Stuffed Teddy Bears

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), IKEA, of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., is voluntarily recalling 57,000 stuffed teddy bears. The plastic beads inside of the bears could come out of the seams, posing an aspiration hazard to young children who could inhale the small beads.

IKEA has not received any report of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The recalled SNUTTIG Bear Soft Toys are red, yellow, blue and black and are about six inches tall. The bears have a contrasting color on the nose, ears, and feet. The name "SNUTTIG," the model number 700- 371-56, the manufacturer code 17596 and the words "Made in Indonesia" are all printed on the product label.

IKEA stores nationwide sold the bears from August 2001 through September 2002 for about $2.

Consumers should take these bears away from young children immediately and return them to an IKEA store for a $5 gift card towards another IKEA product. For more information, consumers should contact IKEA at (888) 966-4532) anytime or visit the company's website at www.ikea-usa.com