#4: The Cabbage Patch Snacktime Doll

The Cabbage Patch Snacktime doll was introduced in 1996 as an innovative toy that could “eat” plastic food items. It had a mechanism that allowed it to chew and “swallow” small, colorful plastic snacks. Sounds like a recipe for disaster? You’re not wrong. The doll faced a major controversy and was eventually discontinued due to safety concerns. The doll’s powerful motorized mouth often malfunctioned, and it didn’t discriminate between the plastic snacks and children’s hair, fingers, or clothing.

Several incidents were reported where the doll’s mechanical jaws caused injuries and entangled hair, leading to a recall and discontinuation. This posed a significant liability issue for the manufacturer, Mattel, and raised questions about the safety of increasingly complex toys. The Cabbage Patch Snacktime doll serves as a cautionary tale in the toy industry regarding the importance of rigorous safety testing and quality control.