Mattel Toy Recall

Lead Paint Found on Toys for Young Children is Dangerous

© Jennifer W. Miner

Aug 2, 2007

mattel Toy Recalls include Sesame Street toys , US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Mattel is just the latest American company to announce a recall of products outsourced to China. The danger this time is lead paint on children's developmental toys.

First the poison dog food. Then, the car tires. And now, lead paint on children's toys. Another major North American company has announced a huge recall of items at least partially outsourced to China, as being a risk to consumers. Mattel is recalling almost one million Nickelodeon and Sesame Street developmental toys made for toddlers and young children. The lead paint that Mattel's contract factory in China used to decorate Dora the Explorer, Elmo, and other toys can, when ingested, contribute to life-long defects in health and learning ability.

The New York Times report on August 2, 2007, delineates exactly how this past year has seen a growing number of recalls of products destined for American consumers, that were outsourced to manufacturers in China. Mattel's Fisher-Price division, the target of this newest recall, sells several popular toy lines for young children. It is developmentally normal for babies, toddlers, and young children to taste and mouth their toys; children could easily ingest the lead paint, which is accessible on the exterior of the children's toys. The NY Times quotes Nancy Nord, acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairwoman, as saying, "These recalled toys have accessible lead in the paint, and parents should not hesitate in taking them away from children."

Scott Jagow, of NPR's Marketplace radio program, talked with Geoff Dyer, a financial news reporter in Shanghai. Dyer explained that currently, China is trying to reassure consumers and companies that products from China face increasing inspections [although this is still largely unregulated; who is doing the inspection?] to ensure safety.

Complete list of Mattel's toy recalls, with product numbers:

Customer Contact: For more information, go to the Mattel website, call Fisher-Price toll-free at (800) 916-4498.

Mattel toy recall list source: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Children depend on caregivers to keep them safe and entertained. Any of these toys found in a playroom or nursery should immediately be removed and taken back to the store of purchase, to exchange for a safe toy. Lead paint in toys is a serious health issue, and Mattel is doing the right thing with this recall.


The copyright of the article Mattel Toy Recall in Consumer Alerts/Product Recalls is owned by Jennifer W. Miner. Permission to republish Mattel Toy Recall must be granted by the author in writing.


mattel Toy Recalls include Sesame Street toys , US Consumer Product Safety Commission
Children can ingest accessible lead paint, US Product Safety Commission
Dora the Explorer toys are recalled, US Product Safety Commission
    


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