Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported October 10, 2002
CPSC, Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Announce Recall of Toy Sponges
The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va. recalled There are three types of sponge animals involved in this recall: whales, turtles and fish… - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Announce Recall of Toy Sponges was recalled by Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va. in October 10, 2002. Reason: The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.. Remedy: Consumers should take these sponge animals away from young children immediately and retur…. Verify recall #03010 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children..
- Moderate
- severity level
- 280K units
- affected scope
- October 10, 2002
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #03010 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #03010) was formally reported on October 10, 2002. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 280,000, a scale large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking.
The documented reason for this recall is: The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should take these sponge animals away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 4 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Food recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 25,126 food recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
280,000
Related Recalls
6
4 from same agency
Product description
There are three types of sponge animals involved in this recall: whales, turtles and fish. The sponge animals are made of soft terry cloth and have suction cups for attaching to tiled or smooth surfaces. The toys have a sewn-in label that reads in part, "DOLLAR TREE DISTRIBUTION, INC.," "MADE IN CHINA" and "RN# 87254."
Reason for recall
The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Remedy, what to do
Consumers should take these sponge animals away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 03010 |
| Date reported | October 10, 2002 |
| Date initiated | October 10, 2002 |
| Recalling firm | Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va. |
| Affected scope | 280,000 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Consumers should take these sponge animals away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for …
- Check the recall number (03010) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
There are three types of sponge animals involved in this recall: whales, turtles and fish. The sponge animals are made of soft terry cloth and have suction cups for attaching to tiled or smooth surfaces. The toys have a sewn-in label that reads in part, "DOLLAR TREE DISTRIBUTION, INC.," "MADE IN CHINA" and "RN# 87254.". Recalled by Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va.. Units affected: 280,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should take these sponge animals away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on October 10, 2002. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 03010.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (03010) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
CPSC Moderate
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Compare this recall with Conair Recalls Over One Million Cuisinart Grill Brushes Due… →
Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported October 10, 2002. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.