Mattel To Recall More Chinese-Made Toys (Updated as needed)
Aug 14, 2007 8:55 am US/Eastern Mattel To Recall More Chinese-Made Toys (AP) NEW YORK Less than two weeks after Mattel Inc. recalled 1.5 million Chinese-made toys because of lead paint, the toy industry is bracing for another blow that could give parents more reason to rethink their purchases just before the critical holiday shopping season. Mattel is set to announce the recall of another toy involving a different Chinese supplier as early as Tuesday, according to three people close to the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Details of the latest recall were not immediately available, but one of the three people said the toy is being recalled because its paint may contain excessive amounts of lead. Scott Wolfson, a spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, declined to comment. Mattel officials did not immediately return phone calls. A new Mattel action would mark the latest in a string of recalled products from China, ranging from faulty tires to tainted toothpaste. With more than 80 percent of toys sold worldwide made in China, toy sellers are nervous that shoppers will shy away from their products. On Aug. 1, Mattel's Fisher-Price division announced the worldwide recall of 1.5 million Chinese-made preschool toys featuring characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo. About 967,000 of those toys were sold in the United States between May and August. Mattel, based in El Segundo, Calif., apologized to customers for that recall and said the move would cut pretax operating income by $30 million. Fisher-Price "fast-tracked" the recall, which allowed the company to quarantine two-thirds of the tainted toys before they reached store shelves. In documents filed Aug. 3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mattel noted that additional information became available in July on "other smaller product recalls and similar charges were recorded." Those recalls involved design problems, according to company officials questioned last week. Days after the Fisher-Price recall, Chinese officials temporarily banned the toys' manufacturer, Lee Der Industrial Co., from exporting products. A Lee Der co-owner, Cheung Shu-hung, committed suicide at a warehouse over the weekend, apparently by hanging himself, a state-run newspaper reported Monday. Lee Der was under pressure in the global controversy over the safety of Chinese-made products, and it is common for disgraced officials to commit suicide in China. In June, toy maker RC2 Corp. voluntarily recalled 1.5 million wooden railroad toys and set parts from its Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway product line. The company said that the surface paint on certain toys and parts made in China between January 2005 and April 2006 contain lead, affecting 26 components and 23 retailers. In July, Hasbro Inc. recalled Chinese-made Easy Bake ovens, marking the second time the iconic toy had been recalled this year. Before this month, Fisher-Price and parent company Mattel had never before recalled toys because of lead paint. http://cbs3.com/topstories/topstories_story_226025448.html

News from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20207 For Immediate Release Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 916-4498 August 2, 2007 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 Release #Final 8/2/2007 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Fisher-Price Recalls Licensed Character Toys Due To Lead Poisoning Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.) Name of Products: Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and other children’s toys Units: About 967,000 Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y. Hazard: Surface paints on the toys could contain excessive levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Description: The recalled involves various figures and toys that were manufactured between April 19, 2007 and July 6, 2007 and were sold alone or as part of sets. The model names and product numbers for the recalled toys, which are all marked with “Fisher-Price,” are listed below. The toys also have a date code between 109-7LF and 187-7LF marked on the product. Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from May 2007 through August 2007 for between $5 and $40. Manufactured in: China Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price. Consumers will need to return the product and will receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the consumer’s choice (up to the value of the returned product). Customer Contact: For additional information visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com or contact Fisher-Price at (800) 916-4498. Product List: 33662 ELMO LIGHT UP MUSICAL PAL 33663 ERNIE LIGHT UP MUSICAL PAL 33664 BIG BIRD LIGHT UP MUSICAL PAL 34658 ELMO STACKING RINGS 39038 ELMO TUB SUB 39054 SESAME STREET SHAPE SORTER 87946 ELMO KEYBOARD 90267 ERNIE SPLASHIN' FUN TRIKE 90609 ELMO COLLECTIBLE 90611 COOKIE COLLECTIBLE, 90612 ZOE COLLECTIBLE 90613 ERNIE COLLECTIBLE 90614 BIG BIRD COLLECTIBLE 90745 CONSTRUCTION PLAYSET 93068 ELMO BOOM BOX 93107 ACTION FIRE ENGINE 93307 PRESS N GO ELMO 93308 REV & GO COOKIE MONSTER 93492 COOKIE SAXOPHONE 93493 ELMO'S GUITAR 93615 SPLASH TUB PUZZLE 93780 MUSIC AND LIGHTS PHONE B7554 COUNT TO BEAT ELMO B7888 SHAKE, GIGGLE & ROLL B7987 ELMO IN THE GIGGLE BOX B7989 SILLY PARTS TALKING ELMO B9620 DORA'S TALKING HOUSE C6908 DORA, BACKPACK, PERRITO FIGURE PACK C6909 DIEGO FIGURE PACK C6910 SWIPER FIGURE PACK C6911 BOOTS, TICO FIGURE PACK G3825 DORA TALKING VAMONOS VAN G5112 SING WITH ELMO'S GREATEST HITS G9717 GIGGLE DOODLER H2943 GROW WITH ME ELMO SPRINKLER H3343 COUSIN DAISY H3344 BIRTHDAY DORA H5569 ELMO & PALS (ELMO, COOKIE, ERNIE) H5570 ELMO & PALS (ELMO, ZOE, BIGBIRD) H4187 DORA FIGURES IN TUBE, H4628 WATER FUN TOTE H8236 DORA 3 PACK FIGURES IN TUBE, H8237 BLUE 3 PACK FIGURES IN TUBE H8238 SPONGE BOB 3 PACK FIGURES IN TUBE H9124 CHEF DORA H9125 BEDTIME DORA H9186 GIGGLE GRABBER ERNIE H9188 GIGGLE GRABBER OSCAR THE GROUCH J0338 DIEGO TALKING FIELD JOURNAL J0343 GO DIEGO GO ANTARCTIC RESCUE J0344 GO DIEGO GO DEEP SEA RESCUE J0345 GO DIEGO GO MOUNTAIN RESCUE J0346 GO DIEGO GO TALKING RESCUE 4 X 4 J5935 GIGGLE GRABBER SOCCER ELMO J5936 GIGGLE GRABBER CHEF COOKIE MONSTER J6537 SESAME STREET GIGGLE TOOLBELT J6762 QUEEN MAMI J6763 ROYAL BOOTS AND TICO J6765 PRINCE DIEGO J7983 SESAME STREET TUB POTS & PANS J9518 SESAME STREET GIGGLE DRILL J9692 DORA'S TALKING PONY PLACE K0617 TWINS NURSERY K3414 DIEGO - TALKING GADGET BELT K3571 GO DIEGO GO MOBILE RESCUE UNIT K3580 FAIRYTALE ADVENTURE DORA K4139 GO DIEGO GO DINOSAUR RESCUE K4140 TOUCAN MOTORCYCLE RESCUE L0305 DORA FIGURE L3194 SURPRISE INSIDE DIEGO EGGS L3215 SESAME STREET ELMO JACK-IN-THE-BOX L3488 SESAME STREET BIRTHDAY FIGURE PACK L3507 SESAME STREET - SUPER BOOM BOX L5202 BIRTHDAY DORA L5813 DIEGO TUB TRIKE L8905 PABLO & PALS M0351 DORA FIGURES DORA & KITTY M0352 DORA FIGURES DIEGO & BEAR M0524 GO DIEGO GO TALKING GADGET M0527 SESAME STREET GIGGLE DOODLER M0732 DORA'S TALKING HOUSE M2051 LETS GO RESCUE CENTER M2052 FAIRYTALE CASTLE The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov. http://service.mattel.com/us/recall/39054CPSC.pdf

List includes Mattel recalls announced since August 4, 1998. For general recall information on any product, and for earlier Mattel recalls, please visit www.recalls.gov. Date--------- Description--------- Product # 08/14/2007 Mattel Playsets with Magnet Hazard Recall J1944 J1946 J4142 J5114 J5115 G4457 G4458 G4459 G4460 G4461 G4462 G4464 G9703 H1530 H1532 H1533 55503 B2632 B3158 B3201 B3203 B3204 B3207 B3209 B3210 B3211 B3396 B7078 B7082 B7118 B7125 B7127 B7129 B8478 B9521 B9522 B9523 B9525 B9578 B9929 C0504 C0505 C1341 C1342 G8602 G8605 G8612 G8614 G8615 H1537 H1538 H1553 H1554 H3211 J1659 J1661 J1662 J1670 J1681 J1687 J1695 J4169 J4170 J4171 J4172 J9305 J9306 J9648 J9965 J9966 K3460 08/14/2007 Barbie® Doll and Tanner™ Magnet Hazard Recall J9472 J9560 08/14/2007 Pixar Cars Sarge Lead Paint Hazard Recall H6414 M1253 K5925 L6294 L4051 08/01/2007 Fisher-Price Toys with Lead Paint Hazard Recall H5570 J6763 L5202 H4649 L3507 B7888 90267 H3344 H5569 J6765 L5813 J9451 93107 G9717 93492 J0338 H9124 K3580 H4628 H6859 K3571 J0346 93493 J6537 H9125 K0617 H8236 J1136 34658 33662 93615 J0343 H9186 L3194 H8237 K9287 90614 33664 B7554 J0344 H9188 H4187 H8238 L5342 87946 90611 B7989 J0345 H2943 L3215 M0524 K2448 93780 K0730 C6908 H9203 K4139 L0305 M0527 90609 93308 90745 C6911 J9518 K4140 M0351 M2051 90613 93307 C6909 C6910 J9692 M0352 M2052 90612 39054 B7987 B9620 K3414 J5935 H4650 G5112 J7983 93068 39038 J6762 J5936 J2248 M0732 G3825 33663 H3343 For recall description & product numbers before August 2007, and more information on current recalls, please visit the link below http://service.mattel.com/us/recall.asp

SpongeBob Books, Other Toys Recalled Lead Concerns Cited For Chinese-Produced Toys POSTED: 5:07 pm EDT August 22, 2007 UPDATED: 5:41 pm EDT August 22, 2007 WASHINGTON -- More children's items made in China have been recalled because they contain high levels of lead. The largest recall affects about 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants address books and journals, manufactured in China and imported by Martin Designs. They have been recalled because paint on the metal spiral bindings can contain high levels of lead. The books feature the SpongeBob SquarePants character on the front cover and a black metal spiral binding. The UPC numbers (80773007505 for the address book and 80773002260, 80773075501 and 80773007551 for the journal) are printed on the back covers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the recalls in cooperation with Martin Designs, which is based in Ashland, Ohio. Consumers are advised to take the recalled address books and journals away from children. Consumers should remove the UPC as proof of ownership and contact Martin Designs at 1-866-898-0261 for a full refund. About 66,000 spinning tops and about 4,700 pails painted with Thomas & Friends, Curious George, circus scenes or solid colors have also been recalled because paint on the wooden handles contains high levels of lead. The toys were manufactured in China and imported by Schylling Associates. About 14,000 TOBY & ME jewelry sets, and about 7,900 Children's Divine Inspiration Charm Bracelets have also been recalled. The jewelry sets are sold in a pink gift box with "TOBY & ME" printed on the front and was sold at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and A.J. Wright stores. The charm bracelets have silver-colored charms and clear and pink beads that hang from a silver-colored chain. They were sold at dollar stores and other small retail stores nationwide. No injuries have been reported. Additional Resource: *Martin Designs http://www.martindesigns-ltd.com/ *U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision http://www.cpsc.gov/ http://www.nbc10.com/money/13952317/detail.html

Please select a recall from the list below and follow the link to learn about that recall. Return to this page if you are interested in learning about additional recalls. This list includes Mattel recalls announced since August 4, 1998. For general recall information on any consumer product, and for earlier Mattel recalls, please visit www.recalls.gov. Date------- Description------- Product # 09/4/2007 Barbie® Accessory Sets Lead Paint Hazard Recall K8609 K8608 K8607 K8606 K8613 J9485 J9486 09/4/2007 GeoTrax™ Engine Lead Paint Hazard Recall H5705 K3013 09/4/2007 It's a Big Big World™ Lead Paint Hazard Recall K9343 For recall description & product numbers before August 2007, and more information on current recalls, please visit the link below http://service.mattel.com/us/recall.asp