Leading global toy manufacturer Mattel has announced the third in a series of recalls of Chinese-made toys from its sales worldwide, which will involve more than 800,000 toys, due to an unacceptable level of lead.
The latest recall concerns three models of Fisher-Price toys and eight Barbie playsets, but does not include Barbie dolls. A total of 522,000 toys have been recalled from the U.S. market, and another 322,000 from other markets. These are shipments made between August 3, 2006, and July 31, 2007, the company stated. The recall is the result of Mattel’s internal quality investigation of all its toys produced in China. It follows two recalls in the past five weeks, which involved millions of Chinese-made toys containing unacceptable levels of lead paint or other hazardous substances. Lead-containing paint is associated with health problems in children, including brain damage. Mattel’s CEO Robert Eckert stated that he cannot guarantee there will be no new recalls, but emphasized that product testing promised after the first major recall on August 1 is now complete.
“We cannot say there will be no new recalls,” he said. “However, we have completed the inspection of all toys that Mattel produces in factories of overseas subcontractors.” Mattel, as Eckert pointed out, uses only approved paint in the production of its toys, controls its own factories and those of its subcontractors, and each product is tested before it reaches store shelves. “From now on, only the highest quality toys will be available in stores.” Mattel has also directed all toy owners to check at www.service.mattel.com whether they possess a toy that is on the recall list. It is necessary to fill out a form and return the toy to the manufacturer, and Mattel will send a replacement toy with additional parts. The company will face rising costs due to all of this. It has already announced an adjustment to its business data for the second quarter to account for about $30 million in costs related to recalls and testing expenses. Mattel will report its business results for the third quarter in mid-October. (H)
