Hearth Record

Cabbage Patch Kids Snacktime Dolls Refund

Kids’ product recall 97-055. Announced by CPSC on Jan 6, 1997.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Jan 6, 1997. 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?

Laceration

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Which ones are recalled?

Cabbage Patch Kids Snacktime Dolls Refund NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Change in Remedy Instructions and Phone Number. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued January 6, 1997, Revised May 9, 2005 Release #97-055 CONTACT CPSC: (301) 504-7908 CONTACT MATTEL: Lisa McKendall (310) 252-4592 Mattel and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Announce Voluntary Refund Program for Cabbage Patch Kids & Snacktime Kids Dolls WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to concerns related to its Cabbage Patch Kids® Snacktime Kids dolls, Mattel, Inc., with the cooperation of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), voluntarily announced today a refund program for all dolls purchased since the toy’s introduction in the fall of 1996. Mattel will offer consumers a full cash refund of $40. At the same time, the company announced a withdrawal of the product from all retail shelves across the U.S., and will discontinue the distribution of the Snacktime Kids dolls. Mattel is taking this action following reports of people getting their hair and fingers caught in the mouths of the dolls. Neither Mattel’s nor CPSC’s testing of the product has identified a serious safety hazard associated with the dolls. “Nonetheless, we remain deeply concerned with the satisfaction of all our consumers and in maintaining their long-standing confidence in the safety and value of our toys,” said Jill E. Barad, Mattel’s chief executive officer. “Our job is to bring joy to children’s lives. If any of our products are causing concerns, we are committed to responding in a responsible manner.” “We recognize that these incidents can be upsetting to children and adults, and we are pleased with the actions being taken by Mattel,” said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. According to Mattel, since the birth of Cabbage Patch Kids in 1983, more than 80 million dolls have been “adopted” by children throughout the world, and their unique individual features and representation of all races and ethnicities has established the dolls as one of the most beloved toys in history. To date, approximately 500,000 Cabbage Patch Kids Snacktime Kids dolls have been sold to consumers. “This voluntary program serves as a reconfirmation of our commitment to the children who enjoy Cabbage Patch Kids and all the people who, for more than 50 years, have helped make our many toys the most popular in the world,” said Barad. To receive a $40 refund, which includes estimated shipping and handling costs, consumers can call Mattel at (800) 524-8697, Mondays through Friday’s from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

Cabbage Patch Kids Snacktime Kids dolls.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by Cabbage Patch.
  • Made by Mattel.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.

Source:

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.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • 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.

Source:

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.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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