The chilled plush toys parents have been tucking into freezers for fussy babies just became a serious safety concern. Stephan Baby is recalling about 227,500 Boo Bunnie and Friends plush toys after federal safety officials warned that the removable, water filled cubes inside the toys can crack and produce sharp pieces that could choke or cut a child. The recall, announced Thursday, covers models sold nationwide since 2017. Parents are being urged to remove the cube from the toy and keep it away from young children until the company provides return instructions.
What Was Recalled
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CBC Group voluntarily recalled roughly 227,500 Stephan Baby branded Boo Bunnie and Friends toys under recall number 26-456. The small plush animals include a removable, water filled plastic cube that the agency says can crack or break into small, sharp pieces. CPSC has received 20 reports of cubes breaking, including one report in which a child swallowed sharp fragments. The recalled items were distributed by CBC Group, Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona, and manufactured in China.
How To Get A Refund
Stephan Baby asks consumers to write "Recalled" on the cube's indented area, upload a photo of the marked cube to the company's recall page and then use the prepaid label the company will send to return the cube, as reported by Boston 25 News. Customers who can show proof of purchase are eligible for a full refund. Consumers without a receipt will receive a $10 check or a $20 stephanbaby.com store credit. For help with the recall process, the company lists a hotline at 877-725-5591.
Where They Were Sold
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the toys were sold at independent gift stores nationwide and online at Stephanbaby.com, Amazon, Walmart and Target from August 2017 through January 2026. The recalled items can be identified by a sewn in label that reads "Stephan BABY" along the side seam and by the small removable cube used for chilling. Consumers should remove the cube immediately and follow the return steps if their toy matches the description.
Background And Safety Context
Stephan Baby was acquired by Creative Brands, a division of CBC Group, in 2017, tying the Boo Bunnie line to CBC's Phoenix distribution network, according to the company's acquisition release. Consumer Reports and other safety watchdogs have tracked an ongoing stream of baby product recalls and recommend that parents register products and sign up for official recall alerts. If a child has swallowed pieces or displays unusual symptoms after contact with the cube, seek medical attention promptly.
What To Do Next
If you own one of the toys, stop using the cube and follow the company's return instructions at Stephan Baby's recall page or call 877-725-5591 for assistance. Keep the cube away from children until you complete the return process, and check your records for proof of purchase if you want a full refund.
