February 20, 2002

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Announces Recall of Plush Snuggle® Bears

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA, of Greenwich, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 4 million plush Snuggle® bears. The eyes and noses of these bears can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children. Unilever Home and Personal Care USA has received 32 reports of the eyes and noses coming off of these bears. In three of these reports, children placed detached eyes from these bears in their mouths. No injuries were reported.

The plush, cream-colored bears come in three sizes: a 5-inch bean bear, an 8-inch bean bear and a 10-inch stuffed bear. The 5-inch bears come in four styles: Pajama Bear wears blue, one-piece pajamas with a yellow moon and star design; Nightcap Bear wears a blue nightcap with a yellow moon and star design; Purple Blanket Bear holds a purple blanket; Pink Blanket Bear holds a pink blanket. The 8-inch bean bear is made of terry or plush fabric. The 10-inch plain stuffed bear is in a sitting position and has tan paws and ears. All the bears have tags that read "Snuggle®" and "Made in China."

Grocery and discount department stores nationwide sold the Snuggle fabric softener that included the 5-inch and 8-inch bears between May 1999 and July 2001. The Pajama and Nightcap 5-inch bears also were given away to consumers who sent in two proofs of purchase for Snuggle fabric softener between November 2001 and December 2001. The 10-inch bears were distributed from May 1997 through May 1998 to consumers who sent in a proof of purchase for Snuggle fabric softener and up to $4.

Consumers should take these bears away from young children immediately and contact Unilever Home and Personal Care USA for information on how to receive a coupon for free Snuggle fabric softener. Contact Snuggle at (800) 896-9479 anytime, or visit its web site at http://www.snuggletime.com/snugglescorner/snugglenews3.html. Unilever Media Contact: Paul Wood at (212) 418-8806

No other Snuggle Bears are involved in this recall. Unilever Home and Personal Care USA recalled the Nightcap Bears in May 2001 because the yellow pom-pom on the nightcap can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Consumers were asked to remove the pom-pom to eliminate the choking hazard.