Bubba Bull Plush Toys Recalled Due To Choking Hazard
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the recall of Bubba Bull Plush Toys due to a choking hazard posed to children. According to the recall, the eyes of the plush stuffed animal can break off posing a choking hazard to young children. The recall was announced on December 7, 2023, and affects about 1,950 units. The toys were manufactured by Mary Meyer and sold on the company’s website. As of the writing of this article, the Consumer Product Safety Commission received one report of an eye detaching from the stuffed animal. At present, no injuries have been reported.
Children’s toys undergo a series of rigorous tests to ensure that they are safe for children. Stuffed animals are exposed to endurance tests that ensure that plastic pieces (such as eyes) cannot break off and pose a choking risk. In this case, the toy failed that safety test and has been recalled. Mary Meyer is offering parents a free replacement as part of the recall.
Choking risks for toddlers and infants
It’s no secret that children and infants put toys in their mouths. That’s one of the reasons why plastic appendages to stuffed animals are tested so rigorously. According to one study conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, choking on toys is among the leading causes of death for toddlers and young infants.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission bans small parts in toys for children under the age of 3 as a hazardous product (16 C.F.R. part 1501). Any toy marketed to children under 3 that presents a choking, aspiration, or ingestion hazard is banned by U.S. law. A “small part” is defined as any object that fits entirely into the small parts cylinder, which is a device roughly the size of a child’s throat to simulate potential choking hazards. A “small part” includes:
- A whole toy
- A separate part of a toy
- A piece of a toy that breaks off during stress testing
Children’s products that are considered small parts or contain small parts must be labeled to warn parents not to purchase them for children under the age of 3. The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that all products with small parts contain warning labels for parents.
Product liability lawsuits, children’s toys, and choking hazards
If your child has been injured due to a defective toy that poses a choking hazard, parents may be able to receive compensation and hold the company accountable for violations of federal law. The Florida personal injury lawyers at Halpern, Santos & Pinkert file product liability lawsuits on behalf of parents whose children have been injured or killed due to defectively manufactured toys. When a company violates federal regulations in the manufacture of a child’s toy, it places children at risk. These companies must be held accountable for their negligence. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation, and learn more about how we can help.
Sources:
cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Mary-Meyer-Recalls-Bubba-Bull-Plush-Toys-Due-to-Choking-Hazard
cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products
