9 Million Mattel Toys Recalled
More than 9 million Mattel toys are being recalled because
ofB lead-based paint and magnets that may dislodge.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Mattel announced the
Mattel toy recall today, citing an abundance of caution with no injuries
reported.
The recall includes more than 18 million toys worldwide, including 9.5
million toys in the U.S.
Recalled toys include 7.3 million Polly Pocket play sets, about 253,000
"Sarge" die-cast toy cars, about 683,000 Barbie and Tanner play sets,
about 340,000 Batman and One Piece magnetic action figure sets, and about a
million Doggie Day Care play sets.
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Reason for Mattel Toy Recall
Most of those toys are being recalled because small, powerful magnets in the
toys may come loose. Magnets found by young kids can be swallowed or aspirated.
If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and
cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.
The one exception is the "Sarge" die-cast car, which is being
recalled because surface paints on the toy could contain excess levels of lead,
which is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health
problems.
In a news conference, CPSC acting chairwoman Nancy Nord said that no
injuries are associated with the new Mattel recall, which was issued out of an
"abundance of caution."
The recall isn't the largest ever and only represents a "fraction of the
hundreds of millions of toys" available in the U.S., says Nord.
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Today's Mattel Toy Recall
Here is an overview of products included in today's Mattel's toy recall.
"Sarge" die-cast toy cars: Recalled toys have the markings
"7EA" and "China" on the bottom. Cars marked "Thailand"
aren't included in the recall.
Barbie and Tanner play sets. Recalled toys have the model numbers
J9472 and J9560. Products made after Jan. 31, 2007, aren't included in the
recall.
Various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets. Recall is
an expansion of the Polly
Pocket recall issued in November 2006 due to magnets that may come loose
from the toys.
Various Batman and One Piece magnetic action figure sets. Recall is
due to magnets that may fall out of the toys, which were sold nationwide from
June 2006 through June 2007 for about $11.
Various Doggie Day Care play sets. Recall is due to magnets that may
fall out of the toys, which were sold nationwide from July 2004 to August 2007
for between $4 and $20.
All of the recalled toys were made in China.
Mattel and the CPSC urge consumers to take the toys away from kids
immediately and contact Mattel to receive a replacement toy.
For details on the Mattel toy recall -- including pictures and model numbers
for the recalled toys -- visit Mattel's consumer relations web site at
http://service.mattel.com/us/recall.asp.
More information is also available by phone. Call the Consumer Product
Safety Commission's recall hotline at (800) 638-2772 or Mattel's recall hotline
at (800) 916-4997.
Mattel Apologizes
"The safety of children is our primary concern, and we are deeply
apologetic to everyone affected," says Mattel Chairman and CEO Robert
Eckert in a Mattel news release.
Mattel is beefing up its magnet-retention systems and product testing. The
company has also strengthened its efforts to prevent lead-based paints from
being used on its products. Read more on what parents should know here .
Today's recall follows Mattel's Aug. 2 recall of nearly a million
Fisher-Price toys that were painted with lead-based paint by a Chinese
manufacturer and sold in the U.S. from May 1 until the recall began.
At the time, Mattel announced that it was reviewing the procedures used b
all of its Chinese manufacturers and would take prompt action if any similar
problems were discovered.
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As you sort through
your child's toy box, are you thinking of asking
your pediatrician for a lead poisoning test? Some folks on our
Parenting: 9-12 Months message board areB doing just that.B B Read
their comments and share yours.
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By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang
B)2005-2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved