Mattel, Inc. has issued recalls for approximately 9 million toys that may contain lead paint or pose a choking hazard.
On Tuesday, Mattel, Inc. issued a recall for approximately 9 million toys that came from a Chinese manufacturer. The toys may contain small magnets that could be swallowed by children, or in some cases, the toys may contain lead paint.
Included in the recalls are 253,000 die cast Sarge brand cars, due to exterior paint that may contain lead levels exceeding the federal standard. Also included were 7.3 million play sets; 345,000 Batman and "One Piece" action figures, 683,000 Barbie and Tanner play sets, 1 million Doggie Day Care play sets, and a number of Polly Pocket dolls.
The recall was issued through a news conference as well as through the company’s website.
According to Nancy A. Nord, acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman, no injuries have been reported in regards to the products involved in the new recall. There were injuries reported last November which prompted a previous Polly Pocket recall.
"The scope of these recalls is intentionally large to prevent any injuries from occurring," Nord said.
The recall does nothing to ease the minds of the consumer who are understandably concerned over products manufactured in China. A string of Chinese-made products have been the target of recalls in recent months, from tainted toothpaste to millions of toys. Toy sellers have become increasingly anxious, fearful that consumers will begin to shy away from toys made in China. Approximately 80 percent of toys on the market today are manufactured overseas.
Mattel faced a different recall two weeks ago when a European retailer alerted the company that a number of their toys were made using the toxic lead paint. The contamination affected approximately 1.5 million toys.
"There is no excuse for lead to be found in toys entering this country," Nord said. "It's totally unacceptable and it needs to stop."
Mattel took out full-page ads on Tuesday in The New York Times and other major newspapers, citing its position. Mattel said it was "one of the most trusted names with parents" and was "working extremely hard to address your concerns and continue creating safe, entertaining toys for you and your children."
Mattel, who is the parent company of Fisher-Price, discovered the most recent problems while investigating the earlier recall that took place in early July. On July 6, the company stopped all operations at the Chinese factory that produced the toys and launched an investigation into the use of the lead paint. Consequently, Chinese officials temporarily barred the toys' manufacturer, Lee Der Industrial Co., from exporting its products. On Monday, a state-run newspaper reported that Cheung Shu-hung, a Lee Der co-owner, committed suicide at a warehouse over the weekend, apparently by hanging himself. It is not uncommon for disgraced officials in China to commit suicide.
Previous to the recent discoveries, Mattel had never issued a recall for any toys because of lead paint.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
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