Sassy and Carter’s-branded Hug N’ Tug Baby Toys Recalled Due to Choking Hazard
Kids’ product recall 13-079. Announced by CPSC on Dec 20, 2012.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Dec 20, 2012. 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?
The beads inside the clear plastic sphere at the center of the toys can be released and pose a choking hazard to young children.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should immediately take the toys from children and contact Sassy for instructions on how to return the product for a free replacement toy.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- What the company offers to fix a recalled product or vehicle: a repair, a replacement or a refund, as the recall notice says. For a vehicle, dealers make the safety repair free. Follow the notice’s own steps, or contact the company it names. Source: CPSC; NHTSA (49 U.S.C. 30120).: replace.
- How to reach the firm: Sassy at (800) 323-6336 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.sassybaby.com and go to the Product Recall Information link.
Which ones are recalled?
The recalled toys for infants can be attached to a stroller or car seat using a ring connector on the toy’s head. They have arms and legs that can be easily pulled back and forth for play. The toys are approximately 12 inches tall, made of multi-colored fabrics, contain rattle beads inside a clear plastic sphere body and have the face of either a puppy or monkey. Recalled styles include: Sassy Hug N’ Tug Puppy, model #80213; Sassy Hug N’ Tug Monkey model #80214 and Carter’s-branded Hug N’ Tug Monkey, models #61083 that were sold on a blue packaging card and #61540 sold on a grey packaging card. Sassy®-branded toys have “Sassy®” written on the sewn-in label located on the back of the character’s head. The Carter’s®-branded toys have “Carter’s®” written in red on the blue plastic ring connected to the toy’s head and also the sewn-in label located on the back of the character’s head.
About 45,300 units, as CPSC gives them.
Sassy®- branded Hug N’ Tug Puppy and Monkey and Carter’s®-branded Hug N’ Tug Monkey Toys.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 3 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Imported by Sassy, Inc., Kentwood, Mich.
- Mass merchandisers such as Toys R Us and Target, independent specialty stores nationwide and online retailers such as Amazon.com and Carters.com between July 2012 and October 2012 for Sassy-branded models; and from August 2011 to October 2012 for the Carter’s-branded models. Carter’s-branded models were also sold in Carter’s retail stores. The Sassy-branded models sold for approximately $8 and the Carter’s-branded models for approximately $14.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The firm has received 12 reports of beads being released from the plastic clear plastic sphere body on Sassy-branded toys. There have been no such reports on the Carter’s-branded toys. No injuries have been reported.
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.