CPSC, Starbucks Coffee Co. Announce Recall of Children’s Tumbler Cups
Kids’ product recall 03-134. Announced by CPSC on May 28, 2003.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on May 28, 2003. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
When the flexible straw on the cups is chewed, small pieces of plastic can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Parents and caregivers should stop young children from using these cups immediately, and return the cups to any Starbucks location for a refund and a free beverage of any size.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: For more information, consumers should contact Starbucks Customer Relations at (800) 235-2883 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET any day, or visit the company’s website at Starbucks.com
Which ones are recalled?
The tumbler cup is constructed of translucent plastic in the shape of a bear with the words “Bearista™ Bear” printed on the front. The cup was sold in both blue and green. The cup has a screw-on lid in the shape of a bear’s head, from which a soft flexible straw protrudes. The product’s lid can rotate such that the straw attachment can be bent (closed) to prevent liquid from leaking out.
30,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Starbucks Bearista™ Bear tumbler cups.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, Wash.
- Starbucks stores in the United States, Canada and Taiwan sold the recalled cup,s from April 2003 through May 2003, for approximately $7 (U.S.).
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
Starbucks has received two reports of pieces of the straws becoming detached in the children’s mouths. No injuries have been reported; however, in one instance, a child reportedly began to choke on a detached piece of the straw and the Heimlich Maneuver was administered by the parent, to remove the small piece.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.