CPSC Recalls Build-A-Bear Pins
Vol. 841 
August 11, 2011

In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, St. Louis-based Build-A-Bear Workshop has voluntarily recalled nearly 30,000 lapel pins which contain excessive levels of lead. According to the CPSC, all of the 1.5 inch pins were manufactured in China and sold in Build-A-Bear stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as online, from July 2009 through October 2010.

The pins, deemed potentially dangerous because of lead contained in surface paints, feature graphics of a heart, bear head and peace sign positioned in front of a globe. The words "Love.Hugs.Peace." also appear at the bottom of the pins, which are multi-color. In total, about 26,500 recalled pins were sold in the U.S. and 2,200 in Canada.

According to a Build-A-Bear spokesperson, initial tests showed the pins met safety standards, but upon further review the measured amounts of lead in the items was high enough to prompt a recall. No injuries have been reported, but officials say the lead found on the pins can be toxic if ingested by young children.

Separately last year, The Center for Environmental Health, a consumer watchdog group, said it found more than 10 times the permitted amount of lead in the now-recalled Build-A-Bear pins. In response, the company claimed the allegations were false, citing its extensive safety processes which include third-party testing. No action was taken at that time by the CPSC or Health Canada. Now, consumers are being asked to stop using the lapel pins immediately and return them to any Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive a $5 coupon.