Build-A-Bear Recalls 36K 'Hugs' Bears Over Hazard

Parents might want to check the tag on any "Heartwarming Hugs Bear" in the house. Build-A-Bear is recalling about 36,000 of the stuffed toys—roughly 520 in Canada—after regulators warned that a zipper on the bear's pouch can come off and pose a choking risk, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall, No. 034464, covers bears sold between January and March 2026, NBC News reports. That number can be found on the label sewn into the back of the bear's leg, per USA Today.

The bears, which went for about $48, contain a removable, heart-shaped insert filled with 2½ pounds of ceramic beads that can be heated or chilled; the product is labeled for ages 3 and up with a supervision warning tied to that feature. No injuries have been reported, though one UK customer said the zipper detached. Owners are urged to stop using the bear and return it to a Build-A-Bear store or request a prepaid shipping label via buildabear.com/recalls for a refund to the original payment method or a gift card.