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Another recall raises fears about toy safety

Besides lead paint, the problem this time with Chinese-made toys is tiny magnets.

By Times staff and wire services
Published August 15, 2007

News of Mattel's recall of Chinese-made toys alarmed Araceli Gross, a Largo mother of two.

"I just don't understand how the toys can go through customs without that being checked," said Gross, 47, while shopping at Toys "R" Us on Tyrone Boulevard in St. Petersburg. "I know there's a lot cheaper labor in China, but we have to think about the safety here."

Mattel recalled 9-million Chinese-made toys Tuesday, including Polly Pocket play sets and Batman action figures, because of dangers to children from lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed.

Even as the huge recall was announced, company officials warned that it could grow as Mattel implements more rigorous testing measures to ensure toy safety as the industry gears up for the holiday season.

The government warned consumers to check at home and make sure their children are not playing with any of the recalled toys.

Nancy A. Nord, acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman, said no injuries had been reported with any of the products involved in Tuesday's recalls. She explained that the scope of the recalls was intentionally broad, to "prevent any injuries from occurring."

The commission reported that in another recall of Polly Pocket play sets in November, three children had been injured by swallowing more than one magnet and needed surgery. At least one U.S. child has died and 19 others have needed surgery since 2003 after swallowing magnets used in toys, the government said.

The recall announced Tuesday includes about 9.3-million play sets that contain small, powerful magnets. Among the toys are Polly Pocket dolls and Barbie and Tanner play sets, along with Batman and OnePiece Triple Slash Zolo Roronoa action figures, and Doggie Day Care. Many of the magnetic toys are older and may have been purchased as early as 2003.

Also recalled Tuesday were 253,000 of Mattel's die-cast cars modeled after "Sarge" in the cartoon movie Cars that contain lead paint.

The correct paint for the "Sarge" cars was sent to a subcontractor, who apparently "chose not to use the paint," Mattel chief executive Bob Eckert said in a conference call with reporters.

Eckert said the company is stepping up its oversight and testing in its production processes. As a result, he noted, more recalls may occur.

"There is no guarantee that we will not be here again and have more recalls," Eckert said.

Tuesday's recalls were the latest blows to the nation's toy industry, which relies on China for about 80 percent of toys sold in the United States.

"I don't think they put as much of a control on safety hazards in China, especially since they've been in the news lately about their unsafe seafood," said Mark Phillips, 47, a St. Petersburg father of three, including a 3-year-old daughter.

It was also the second recall involving lead paint for Mattel in two weeks. Earlier this month, consumers were warned about 1.5-million Chinese-made Fisher-Price toys that contain lead paint.

Lead is toxic if ingested by young children. Under current regulations, children's products found to have more than 0.06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall.

"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."

Nord said the company has stopped selling the recalled products, instructed retailers to pull them from the shelves and made a production change. Mattel is also offering replacement products.

Mattel launched a full-scale investigation into all of its factories in China and discovered the latest problem during that investigation, Nord said.

Eckert said the recall decision was made at the end of last week.

Despite negative publicity, investors haven't pummeled Mattel's stock. Shares fell 57 cents, or 2.4 percent, to $23 Tuesday, on a day when broad market indexes fell.

Times staff writer Nina Kim contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.

[Last modified August 15, 2007, 00:07:17]