175,000 Curious George Dolls Recalled

Plush Monkey Toys Contain Dangerous Lead Levels In Surface Paint, Officials Say

(CBS/AP)  About 175,000 Curious George Plush Dolls were recalled Thursday, becoming the latest popular toy made in China found to be contaminated with dangerous levels of lead.

Manufactured by Marvel Toys, of New York, N.Y., the Curious George dolls contain excessive levels of lead in their surface paint, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Although no reports of illnesses connected to this product have been reported, lead is toxic if ingested by young children. Children's products found to have more than 0.06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall.

The recalled dolls have a plastic face and are sold in five different models, including "birthday," "fireman," "sweet dreams," "tool time" and "tool time with a soft face." They were sold with Curious George story or activity books at toy and discount department stores nationwide from December 2005 through August 2007.

Consumers can contact Marvel Toys at 800-352-2064 or visit www.regcen.com/curiousgeorge for more information and to receive a full refund.

About 51,000 Children's Fashion Sunglasses, imported and distributed by Dolgencorp Inc. of Goodlettsville, Tenn., were also recalled Thursday because of dangerous levels of lead. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled sunglasses, made in China, are yellow-colored with the UPC No. 400007860896. They were sold at Dollar General stores nationwide from March 2005 through October 2007. Consumers can return the sunglasses to any Dollar General store for a full refund. For more information, call 800-678-9258 or visit www.dollargeneral.com.

There have been so many toy recalls recently, it's hard for concerned parents to keep up, reports CBS News correspondent Susan Koeppen.

"You definitely have to be careful, so I'm sticking with names that have been around for a long time," said parent Janet Larson.

According to the CPSC, in October alone, more than two dozen toys and products for children were recalled due to toxic lead levels. And on wednesday, six more toys were pulled, five due to high lead paint level.

One red flag for parents should if the toys have lots of red and yellow paint - but that doesn't mean that toys with only other paint colors are lead-free, reports Koeppen.

The recalls have shaken the confidence of parents so badly that a new Consumer Reports poll found that 30 percent say they won't buy any toys for their children this holiday season.

"I am definitely going to look pretty carefully at the list that my kids draw up for Santa and think it through pretty hard. I might go the puppy route," said D.J. Nordquist.

Government regulators say that parents should be concerned, but not panicked.

"Just because a toy is in violation does not mean a child will get sick," said Julie Vallese of the CPSC.

Parents should also be concerned about small parts on toys that can pose a choking hazard for kids, says Koeppen. A Fisher-Price kitchen was recalled this week because of small parts that were breaking off.

Expect more recalls as the holiday season progresses.

[bm6005]

As opposed to our Dipstick president uncurious george!! The Moron-in Chief.

[nskduke1]

I wonder where that toy came from. I''m curious myself. Hmmmm... Oh wait China! The recalls are out of control. Lets face it cheap labor, equals cheap material used. China doesn''t care if their product contains lead, they just want to make the product cheap so they can make money.

Our American jobs are crumbling to China. Businesses like Wal-Mart are crushing our middle class jobs and our high wage jobs and replacing them with low wage jobs. The war on the middle class has began. If the government does get rid of the middle class then as middle class people we will become low class people stuck in poverty.

[incog-nito]

This is becoming so common now it''s almost farcical. How many more news like this before the American people finally wake up? This is probably just the tip of the iceberg. The only reason why these contaminations were discovered is that these toys are from well-known brands, and thus the focus is on them. Think about all the less well-known brands of toys out there that nobody talks about, much less inspect. BTW, it''s not just toys. China makes just about everything that''s sold in U.S. stores nowadays, and nobody is even looking into that. Why stop at toys? You could easily have contaminated microwave ovens, toasters, etc., etc.

I guess it''s good business to keep things quiet.

[nskduke1]

Good point! I''m glad I''m not the only one out there that thinks there is something fishy going on.
American people need to wake up. What we have here is serious.

[slim1h2o]

The war on the middle class has began. If the government does get rid of the middle class then as middle class people we will become low class people stuck in poverty.

Posted by NSKDuke1 at 11:51 PM : Nov 08, 2007

The war on the middle class began when the Clintoon administration signed the NAFTA, and CAFTA treaties.

But as you said, they won''t be happy till the majority of us are stuck in the soup lines somewhere.
And by then , it will be too late for many of us.

The powers that be, are calling for a recession in ''08, I believe it will be a depression, they are lying to us.

[mcvet]

After Decades and decades of budget cuts and putting people in charge who are part of the problem, we finally see why our fathers created such organizations. We''d better wake up before our families pay the price for "globialization" and "Smaller Government". Sieg Heil Y''all.

[mcvet]

The war on the middle class began when the Clintoon administration signed the NAFTA, and CAFTA treaties.

But as you said, they won''''t be happy till the majority of us are stuck in the soup lines somewhere.
And by then , it will be too late for many of us.

The powers that be, are calling for a recession in ''''08, I believe it will be a depression, they are lying to us.



Posted by slim1h2o at 07:19 AM : Nov 09, 2007
+ report abuse

Oh PLEASE!! Mexico isn''t the PROBLEM you pathetic Nazi! The MOST FAVORED TRADING PARTNER status given China by the Fascist IS the problem. It''s the whole mess and true NAFTA is a SMALL part of it but it''s the whole fascist "Free Trade" garbage that is behind this. TRYING to pawn it off on the Party who has opposed it from day one is not only simple minded... it''s PURE FASCISM. IF you doubt it go look up the Standard of Living in this nation... look when we started the fall that continues today. By the way, swastika breath, Bush 1 NEGOTIATED NAFTA. SIEG HEIL BUSH!!

[slim1h2o]

By the way, swastika breath, Bush 1 NEGOTIATED NAFTA. SIEG HEIL BUSH!!

Posted by MCVet at 07:26 AM : Nov 09, 2007

And who signed it into law? I rest my case.

Obviusly, China is a huge problem for us, you are correct on that one.

[glrky058da]

with all the concerns with lead lately my daughters who happen to be 5 and 6 asked for karate lessons instead of most toys.and I am proud to say they really enjoy it and are trying their best to get their friends involved.

[fstop100]

Since we are no longer the global leader this is what happens.

[slim1h2o]

Class War is the war that spawns all others; it is the only war.

Posted by curse914 at 08:13 AM : Nov 09, 2007

I agree, the wealthy has always, always have tried to keep the poor (or underlings) in some sort of slavery, weather in chains literally, or in debt(lack of money). The wealthy will continue to do so. Americans have never been completely free.

[omega39-2009]

Posted by slim1h2o

Re: Clintoon Signing CAFTA


Around midnight on July 27th of 2005, the House of Representatives approved the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement, CAFTA in a 217-215 vote.

Since CAFTA was so damaging to American workers, it wasn''t able to pass on the merits. CAFTA''s passage was bought by an outrageous amount of pork barrel politics, and fake side deals, and unbelievable pressure from the Bush Administration. Check out Global Exchange''s account of the purchase of CAFTA.

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/cafta/

[likeitis5050]

Alright, enough is enough. Curious George is the straw that broke the camel''s back. Stop buying anything marked ''Made in China''...it''s not like anything from there was ever worth anything anyway.

I look for the next move from businesses who jumped on board the outsourcing express to make China a contender in the race for world domination to soon have their hands in our pockets via wanting the federal government to provide money to keep them from going under. Just wait...it''s coming

[slim1h2o]

Posted by omega39 at 08:38 AM : Nov 09, 2007

Thanks. I looked it up, and yup it was 2005. My memory must be getting worse, but I was correct on NAFTA, that went into effect on Jan. 1st, 1994. When wet willy billy was prez.

[ianlou]

Now, Now, lets not be rash about this lead paint issue, after all, who''s selling them the lead?

If we over react, we may inadvertently destroy the livelihood of hard working Lead Miners, to say nothing about the impact to the investor in lead mining world wide!

Are we going to let the possibility of a few brain dead kids get in the way of a thriving industry?

And what of the reputation of our Chinese friends who we have given most of our domestic production infrastructure to?

We are not going to be able to continue getting something for nothing unless we look beyond these little bumps in the road.

NAFTA, CAFTA and the future SHAFTA programs are far too important to everyone (but the average American) to be tarnished by a few poisoned kids!

Lead Paint Poisoning, its just a myth!

[slim1h2o]

lets stuffed GEORGE with lead..lol

Posted by sunsetbillyb at 09:22 AM : Nov 09, 2007

And Cheney too, then through both into the depths of the Atlantic ocean. lol

[omega39-2009]

Posted by slim1h2o

Slim1h2o, easily the worst thing Clinton did during his presidency (in spite of the hangup Repubs have over his BJ).

[slim1h2o]

Repubs have over his BJ).

Posted by omega39 at 09:44 AM : Nov 09, 2007

LOL,, I agree, but you have to admit, that both parties are going to be the ruination of this country. No?

[omega39-2009]

Posted by slim1h2o,

Well I don''t think Bush or Bush lite is going to help the middle class if that''s what you mean. Unfortunately, unless you move to the fringes, that is who we have to choose from.

[nexgen99]

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING MADE IN CHINA.
No Toys, No clothes, No health care products. Total and absolute boycott of all goods made in China.

If you want toys look at www.littletikes.com. At least a majority of their toys are made in America.

[slim1h2o]

Well I don''''t think Bush or Bush lite is going to help the middle class if that''''s what you mean. Unfortunately, unless you move to the fringes, that is who we have to choose from.

Posted by omega39 at 10:03 AM : Nov 09, 2007

Well, with out the middle class, there''s not much of a country left. We''ll be a nation of extremely poor and extremely wealthy.

And that reduces the markets, ie. homes, appliances, etc, etc, The middle class has always bought the majority of the products of this country.
+ report abuse

[iceman_1960]

"175,000 Curious George Dolls Recalled"

The Uncurious George needs to be recalled too.

Big time.

[iceman_1960]

"DO NOT BUY ANYTHING MADE IN CHINA.
No Toys, No clothes, No health care products. Total and absolute boycott of all goods made in China."
- Posted by nexgen99 at 10:06 AM : Nov 09, 2007

Message brought to you by nexgen99"s Chinese-manufactured computer, with a little help from his Chinese-made keyboard, mouse and modem.

[hypnotoad72]

ianlou - I imagine the Chinese can make their own paint.

And you''re right. What will the reputation of China be as more and more reports of toxic or lethal goods comes out of that country? Globalization indeed, nobody will want to do business with them. And that is (by and large) not America''s fault. A designer can screw up with the purportedly clever use of small magnets, but cheap glue and lead paint isn''t Mattel''s fault. They simply tell the offshored factory what to make; it''s that factory''s responsibility for quality control. And as we''ve seen, from consumers'' pets to consumers'' babies to consumers to the factories'' own QC executives, all they want to do is maim or kill. Charming, huh? (Not really) Mind you, a population of roughly 1.5 billion, they''re not going to treat human life in quite the same way.

I know Vietnam vets (both Democrat and Republican) who are furious over China and that we never should have started this offshoring fad in the first place. :(

Regarding China, I''m more or less disappointed. Regarding America''s corporate sect, I''m bemused that despite it all, offshoring still continues. Besides, isn''t trade about exchanging one''s goods for other goods? Not trading infrastructure for toxic toothpaste?

[hypnotoad72]

Iceman_1960 - China, Taiwan, or Malaysia? Not all computer components are made in China. Indeed, didn''t Intel recently open a CPU manufacturing plant in Arizona? Way-cool, if you ask me.

[adventurepa]

Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6am. While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG). He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet(MADE IN INDIA) he sat down with his calculator (MADE INMEXICO) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY) filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer (Made In Malaysia) (with tech support in INDIA), Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL) poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), and then wondered why he can''t find a good paying job in.. AMERICA

[extremophil]

All of these moronic comments are very curious, George.

[omega39-2009]

ceman_1960 - China, Taiwan, or Malaysia? Not all computer components are made in China. Indeed, didn''''t Intel recently open a CPU manufacturing plant in Arizona? Way-cool, if you ask me.

Posted by hypnotoad72

Hypnotoad, by law they can''t build CPUs in China.....yet.

[enlightenu]

When I was growing up in the late 70''s, early 80''s, I recall, once I learned to read, nearly all my toys having the "made in China" label on them, and some of them tasted pretty good. If all these toys today have this much lead, I bet all those older toys probably all contained lead and at much higher concentrations. I had to fight through ADD, and may be a bit Aspie, but I think I done turned out ok.

[vancouverboo]

adventurepa, did he notice the "Bought by Everyone in the World who wants anything" tattoos on the foreheads of our Congressmen and President on his made in Indonesian TV set?

[bareemperor]

Recall the Bicurious George.

Right, Washington Press corps???

[antoniof123]

Sort of symbolic they are recalling a defective product and in another year the other George will be sent back to his Texas home (sorry Texas).

[incog-nito]

The U.S. is in NO position to dictate anything to China. They fund our deficit spending by buying U.S. bonds. They stop or go to the euro, we''re scr*wed. They have all the manufacturing jobs that used to be in the U.S. Their economy is growing by leaps and bounds and will soon take over the U.S.

In other words, China has got the U.S. by the b*lls.

[missingamerica]

The future''s so bright, I gotta wear shades.

[erasmus6]

"If you want toys look at www.littletikes.com. At least a majority of their toys are made in America." posted by nexgen99

Are you sure about that? How do you know that some of the parts to a particular toy isn''t from China? As long as a product is ASSEMBLEd here, it can say "Made in the U.S.A.

[jetranger7]

Corporate America and the Politicians Sold us out, and our Jobs too, and now many are losing their homes, and now their trying to POISION us, thanks in part to those Discount stores who only or mainly carry goods from China,,(WM)especially ! We''ve been sold out by Corporate America, Politicians, and last but not least, the Instutions of Higher Learning for Educating the very Morans who run these Corportations on how to do just what their doing, selling us out ! I''m speaking of the many Colleges and Universities across this country ! Don''t believe me?? Just where did these CEOs and Presidents get their degrees and education to be able to hold these jobs then, and their Ill concieved plans to do this ?? Time to wake up people, its called Brain washing, slowly blinfing you into Stupidity and Ignorance beyond belief ! Meanwhile pack up, because your losing your house soon !! Bye !! Hello China ! and Mexico !