Build-A-Bear Recalls 36,000 Bears Over Choking Hazard

Build-A-Bear Workshop has recalled approximately 36,000 Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bears sold in the United States and about 520 units sold in Canada due to a potential choking hazard posed by a detaching zipper slider. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall on April 30, 2026, with Health Canada issuing a matching notice the same day.

The affected bears, model number 034464, feature a side pouch containing a heart-shaped insert filled with 2.5 pounds of ceramic beads that can be heated or cooled for comfort. The pouch is secured by a zipper, but the slider can detach at the neck seam, creating a small parts hazard for young children. The product, intended for ages 3 and older, carries a label advising adult supervision because of the heating and cooling feature. The bears were sold at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online from January through March 2026 for about $48 each. The model number appears on a label sewn into the back of the bear's leg.

No injuries have been reported in the United States or Canada. Regulators noted one incident in the United Kingdom where the zipper slider detached during use. "The safety and wellbeing of our...