Mattel Recalls More China-Made Toys With Lead Paint

EL SEGUNDO, California, September 6, 2007 (ENS) - Toy giant Mattel has had to recall more toys manufactured in China because of high levels of lead in their paint.

Mattel announced Tuesday that, as a result of the company's ongoing investigation of its toys manufactured by vendors in China, the company has recalled 11 toys globally, including eight pet and furniture playsets sold under the Barbie® brand and three Fisher-Price® toys, due to impermissible levels of lead.

No Barbie® dolls are included within the recall. In total, there are 530,000 affected toys in the U.S., and 318,000 affected toys outside of the U.S. Mattel has completed the testing program for the majority of its toys, including all of its toys currently sourced from vendors.

Mattel has had to conduct two other recalls in recent weeks because of high lead levels in painted toys.

The company says this recall is voluntary and results from Mattel's "thorough investigation of vendor-sourced toys."

"In August we promised that we'd continue to focus on ensuring the safety and quality of our toys through extensive testing of finished products, thorough investigation of our vendors and the implementation of a strengthened three-point check system," said Mattel Chairman and CEO Robert Eckert.

"As a result of our ongoing investigation we discovered additional affected products. Consequently, several subcontractors are no longer manufacturing Mattel toys. We apologize again to everyone affected and promise that we will continue to focus on ensuring the safety and quality of our toys," he said.

In the United States, there are seven recalled Barbie®-branded toys. The specific affected parts include:

• Dream Puppy House™– orange on miniature dog
• Dream Kitty Condo™– brown on miniature cat
• Table & Chairs Kitchen Playset – yellow food on two dinner plates, brown on miniature dog, yellow and orange on potato chip bowl, orange on salad bowl
• Bathtub & Toilet Playset – brown on miniature cat
• Desk & Chair Bedroom Playset – brown on miniature dog
• Living Room Playset (deluxe) – brown on miniature cat
• Living Room Playset (premium) – yellow flower on purse

Mattel's investigation revealed that the subcontractors painted the affected toys between March 2007 and August 2007. However Mattel is being cautious and recalling the entire production of the seven toys painted by the subcontractors. Therefore, toys manufactured beginning in October 2006 are included within the recall. The toys being recalled were sold at retail between November 2006 and August 2007.

Among the three Fisher-Price® toys recalled are two Fisher-Price® GEOTRAX™ toys and one "It's a Big Big World" toy. Fisher-Price® toys with specific parts affected include:

• GEOTRAX™ Rail & Road System Freightway Transport™– yellow headlights on train car and miniature ladder
• GEOTRAX™ Special Track Pack™ – yellow headlights on train car and miniature ladder
• "It's a Big Big World" 6-in-1 Bongo Band – painted decal on top of clear plastic on drum

The two GEOTRAX™ toys that tested for impermissible levels of lead were manufactured between July 31, 2006, and September 4, 2006; however, the painted parts were stored and incorporated into toy production throughout the year. Mattel is being cautious and recalling toys shipped between August 3, 2006, and July 31, 2007.

The Fisher-Price® "It's a Big Big World" 6-in-1 Bongo Band toy was manufactured by Shun On Factory, one of Mattel's contract vendors, which outsourced the molding and painting of one plastic piece. A subcontractor, Jingying Tampo Printing Processing Factory, used uncertified paint on the affected piece. The "It's a Big Big World" 6-in-1 Bongo Band was manufactured between May 19, 2007, and August 1, 2007.

Mattel is working in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies worldwide. Mattel is also working with retailers worldwide to identify and remove affected products from retail shelves.

To return affected toys or their parts, the first step is for consumers to determine if they have a toy that has been affected by the recall. To do so, they can visit www.service.mattel.com where they will find a complete list of each toy recalled, including color photos, toy model numbers and affected date codes. Consumers can locate toy model numbers on the bottom of most recalled toys.

For consumers without a computer, or for those preferring phone support, they may call (888) 496-8330

Once consumers determine that they think they own a Mattel toy affected by the recall, they are prompted to fill out a form online or provide their postal address on the phone. Mattel will send to consumers - via email or to a postal address - a color brochure with photos, toy numbers and date code ranges of every affected toy, as well as a pre-paid mailing label for return of the affected products.

After receiving consumers' returned, affected part or parts, Mattel will send consumers replacement parts for each affected product, as well as bonus pieces or parts.

Mattel recommends that consumers do not return toys to retailers for three reasons:

First, Mattel can help consumers determine if a toy has been affected by the recall instead of going through the hassle of returning an unaffected toy.

Second, Mattel will provide consumers with a replacement part for each toy part affected by the recall

And finally, Mattel says the company will handle affected products in an environmentally friendly way.

Consumers do not need to have the toy's original packaging or a receipt to return affected products to Mattel.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.