Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Heartwarming Hugs Bears Due to Choking Hazard
Areazine synthesizes this CPSC product recall directly from CPSC's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
Build-A-Bear is recalling about 36,000 Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bears in the U.S. because the zipper slider on the side pouch can detach, posing a choking hazard that may lead to serious injury or death for children.
What this CPSC product recall tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by CPSC on April 30, 2026 and geographically references United States. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Product Recalls - determines the consumer-protection framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, repairs, or the recall itself) are available to affected consumers and which agency holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are recall, product-safety, cpsc, Toys.
What Happened
The recall involves the Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bear with model number 034464, where the zipper slider on the side pouch can detach, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a choking hazard to children. The product is intended for ages 3 years and up and includes a caution for adult supervision due to its heated or cooled element.
Which Products Are Affected
The affected product is the Build-A-Bear Workshop Heartwarming Hugs Bears. About 36,000 units were sold in the United States, with an additional 520 sold in Canada. These were sold at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online at www.buildabear.com from January 2026 through March 2026 for about $48. The model number 034464 is located on the label sewn into the back side of one bear leg.
What You Should Do
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Heartwarming Hugs Bear and return it to a local Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive a refund in the form of original payment or a gift card. If unable to return to a store, contact Build-A-Bear at 844-541-0144 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, or email ProductHotline@buildabear.com, or visit www.buildabear.com/recalls for a free return shipping label and further instructions on obtaining a refund.
Why This Matters
This recall highlights the potential dangers of choking hazards in children's products, which can result in serious injury or death, underscoring the need for rigorous safety standards in toys.
Source
Information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: [https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Build-A-Bear-Workshop-Recalls-Heartwarming-Hugs-Bears-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Choking-Hazard-to-Children]
Original source: CPSC Official Notice ↗
Related Product Recalls
All Product Recalls →Nationwide notices with similar length or severity timing 8
Two Areazine-derived peer sets for this CPSC product recall: nearest notices by body length and by same severity near the same agency date. Peers come from other categories so they are not the same-feed Related list above.
Similar body length
Nearest notices by article body length (1,760 characters here).
Similar severity timing
Same severity (high) notices issued closest in time to April 30, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this CPSC product recall.