Yourlawyer.com (Magnetic Toy Sets News)

Magnetix Maker to Pay $1.1 Million Penalty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The maker of recalled Magnetix toys will pay a $1.1 million civil penalty for selling the dangerous toys. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), Mega Brands America, formerly Rose Art Industries Inc., failed to provide the government with timely information about dangers to children posed by Magnetix magnetic building sets, as required under federal law.

Magnet toy sets are considered by many consumer advocates to be among the most dangerous toys on the market. The magnets in toys like Magnetix are high-energy neodymium iron boron magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these powerful magnets, they can be attracted to each other while in the intestinal tract. As a result, the magnets clump together, causing the intestines to twist. This can cause intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death.

Magnetix Building Sets were subject to a large scale recall in 2006, following the death of a toddler who swallowed a magnet that had come loose from its casing. In April 2007, the CPSC expanded the recall to include all Magnetix sets sold before March 2006. By then, injury reports had reached 1,500. Last March, Mega Brands recalled 1.1 million Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-school Magnetic Toys, and 1.3 million MagnaMan Magnetic Toy Figures after receiving 19 reports of magnets coming loose. One report involved a 3-year-old boy receiving medical treatment to remove a magnet from his nasal cavity and one report of an 18-month-old boy with a magnet in his mouth, which was not swallowed.

According to the CPSC, in December of 2005, Rose Art filed an “initial report” informing the commission that a 22-month-old child from Washington state had died, due to ingesting multiple magnets that fell out of pieces from a Magnetix set. The report contained no other product or incident information and Rose Art attributed the magnets falling out to unusually abusive play by the toddler’s older siblings. On February 1, 2006, Rose Art submitted a Full Report which again lacked incident and product information. Rose Art stated that it did not retain any complaint or incident records.

After discovering documents which led CPSC staff to believe Rose Art had compiled incident information, a subpoena was issued to the firm (which had been renamed Mega Brands America and was under new ownership and control) to obtain product and incident information. The CPSC learned through the subpoena that at the time Rose Art filed its “initial report” in December 2005, it had received over 1,100 consumer complaints that magnets had fallen out of plastic pieces from dozens of different Magnetix models. Additionally, the subpoena revealed that Rose Art had received at least one report of an injury due to magnet ingestion, prior to the toddler’s death in Washington state.

By the time Rose Art agreed to the recall of Magnetix in March 2006, the firm had received more than 1,500 complaints of magnets falling out of plastic pieces in more than 65 different models of Magnetix.

Federal law requires firms to report to the CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates any consumer product safety rule, or any other rule, regulation, standard, or ban enforced by the commission.

In agreeing to the settlement with the CPSC, Mega Brands America maintains that it did not know of the Magnetix defect at the time it acquired Rose Art. According to the company, Rose Art’s prior owners never advised Mega Brands Inc. of the problems of associated with Magnetix.

Small Magnets Remain A Serious Danger to Children, Health Canada Says

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

We have long been reporting on the dangers of magnetic toy sets to children. Now, Health Canada is repeating its advisories about the dangers posed by the small magnets to children who can swallow them. Should a child swallow more than one magnet over a short period of time, the small magnets can attract one another when traveling through the child’s intestines. When this happens, the magnets can slowly tear through the intestinal walls, and block or twist the intestines, and result in serious injuries and even death.

Small, powerful magnets are quite popular today and are often found in toys, novelty jewelry, and other consumer items. As a matter-of-fact, during 2006 and 2007, several high-profile, wide-scale toy recalls were conducted by toy manufacturers because of these types of powerful magnets separating from toys and being swallowed by small children, resulting in a number of injuries to children in the United States. Also, recently, a five-year-old child in British Columbia required emergency surgery to remove two magnetic toy parts she swallowed and, in the United States, as of April 2007, 33 cases of emergency surgery due to swallowed magnets were reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Ingesting multiple magnets can cause deadly health issues that are tricky to diagnose. At first glance, physical examination findings can appear minimal; however, swallowing more than one magnet can result in significant complications, including bowel perforation, volvulus (intestinal twisting causing obstruction), ischemia (inadequate blood flow to a part of the body caused by constriction or blockage of the blood vessels), and death. Experts say that while swallowing one magnet the size of a watch battery is unlikely to cause health problems, swallowing two can be fatal. Older children are also ingesting magnets or magnetic toy pieces, meaning that if powerful magnets are swallowed, there is risk of serious injury, regardless of the child’s age.

Last year, the toy industry was besieged following over six million toy recalls, the highest number ever due to product defects; Chinese-made toys accounted for 94% of these recalls. No surprise given that it’s vastly cheaper to purchase toys from China where the hourly wage for toy manufacturing workers in 2006 was 36 cents, about 2.5% of the U.S. wage. Although unsafe lead levels were the cause of most of the recalls, toys with small parts and small magnets were recalled as well. Many such toys remained on shelves and were sold without warning labels several times last year. A New York statewide investigation revealed out of nearly 3,000 stores reviewed, over 600 still had recalled toys on their shelves.

Now, the Canadian Paediatric Society is recommending that magnetic toys be kept away from children under six and is urging parents and caregivers to take appropriate steps to avoid incidents with such products including teaching children that small magnets or small items that contain magnets should never be placed in their mouth; carefully supervising children around products containing magnets; seeking immediate medical care for any child who has swallowed, or is suspected of having swallowed, one or more magnets; checking often to ensure toys are in good condition; and following safety warnings and manufacturer's age recommendations on children's toys.

Magnetic Dart Boards Sold at Family Dollar Stores Recalled

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Another magnetic toy, this time a magnetic dart board, has been recalled because there is a danger the magnets could come loose, and could cause severe intestinal injuries if they are swallowed by children. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) about 870,000 Fun 'n Games Magnetic Dartboards distributed by Henry Gordy International Inc., of Plainfield, N.J. are involved in this recall.

Magnet toy sets are considered by many consumer advocates to be among the most dangerous toys on the market. The magnets in these toys are usually high-energy neodymium iron boron magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these powerful magnets, they can be attracted to each other while in the intestinal tract. As a result, the magnets clump together, causing the intestines to twist. This can cause intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death.

Magnetix Building Sets were the first magnetic toy sets subject to a large scale recall in 2006, following the death of a toddler who swallowed a magnet that had come loose from its casing. By the time the CPSC issued its first Magnetix recall in 2006, it had received 34 reports of injuries related to the toy, including the fatality. In April 2007, the CPSC expanded the recall to include all Magnetix sets sold before March 2006. By then, injury reports had reached 1,500. Since then, many other companies, including Mattel, have recalled magnetic toy sets. Just last month, more than 2 million other Magnetix toys were recalled, but so far the CPSC has not had received any injury reports related to those products.

The Toy Industry Association addressed the problem last May by drafting a set of voluntary standards for magnetic play sets. Under the new rules, magnets must either be “reliably contained” within a product or the toys must carry a warning label explaining the dangers of ingestion. Unfortunately, some of the magnetic play sets in stores right now were apparently made before those standards took effect.

According to the CPSC, the magnetic dartboards involved in this recall are black, green, blue, and white checkered design, with a red bulls eye. The magnetic dartboards measure about 5 ½ inches wide and were sold with two 2 ¾-inch long magnetic darts. The darts magnetically attract to the dart board. The Fun 'n Games Magnetic Dartboards were sold at Family Dollar stores nationwide from September 2002 through March 2008 for about $1.

The CPSC recall notice says small magnets at the ends of the darts can detach. So far, there have been no injuries reported as a result of the defective Fun 'n Games magnetic dartboards, but consumers have been advised to take the toy away children immediately. The dartboards can be returned first class mail to: Henry Gordy International Inc., 809A Market Street, Hermann, MO 65041 for a full refund including tax and shipping costs. For additional information, consumers should contact Henry Gordy International Inc., at (888) 790-2700 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

CPSC Warns Toy Industry on Safety

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The toy industry, beset by a record number of toy recalls last year, has been put on notice. Nancy Nord, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) acting chair spoke Monday at the annual American International Toy Fair, lashing out at the toy industry and citing a lack of safety controls that led to last year’s unprecedented and highly publicized toy recalls. Warning that the toy industry has the obligation to regulate itself Nord said, "I will not tolerate this industry...not complying with our regulations.” Nord added that the CPSC—which has been harshly criticized for not acting quickly enough to eliminate hazardous products from store shelves and for being influenced by the companies it regulates—is adding staff and working more closely with customs. "We all need to take responsibility" to make toys safer, she said, adding that she was "very angry" about toy recalls involving lead paint, as this was indicative quality control breakdown.

While the agency is now working with the Toy Industry Association to develop mandatory testing standards, millions of toys were recalled last year with 61 recalls, up over 20 from the prior year. Of those, over six million toys were recalled due to lead; the highest number ever due to product defects. Also, other potentially dangerous toys remained in stores and were sold without warning labels of possible choking hazards several times last year.

The Toy Industry Association released plans for a certification program mandating uniform testing, factory auditing, and risk assessment analysis of each product. The proposal specifies toy makers must have an accredited laboratory test a random toy selection with frequency dependent on the factory’s quality control rates. Pending legislation doesn't mandate a certification seal on products, but the program will provide for a seal as an option for toy companies. Pending federal legislation will authorize the CPSC to create such a program or designate a body to do so. The final plan by the Toy Industry Association and the American National Standards Institute is subject to a 30-day public comment review. Following review, a final proposal will be presented to the industry group's board for adoption and implementation. A pending House bill would overhaul the CPSC, expanding its oversight and is awaiting the Senate counterpart. The final piece of legislation is expected to unite both bills. Twenty-nine states also have pending legislation covering a wide variety of issues from lead to noise to toxic waste, said Rob Herriott, director of international and government affairs for the trade group.

Some retailers—including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Toys "R" Us Inc.—are moving in advance of the legislation to meet or exceed the new standards by forcing suppliers to comply with higher mandates and announced that toys shipped to their chains effective March 1 must meet a tougher criterion for lead in surface paint. The companies are phasing out chemicals found in PVC—vinyl—that have raised safety concerns; however, pending federal legislation does not address phthalates, chemicals used in PVC. According to Joan Lawrence, vice president of standards and regulatory affairs for the Toy Industry Association, phthalates are deemed safe. Many others say the chemical compound, with its toxic leaching tendencies, is dangerous.

Magnetic Play Sets Continue to Endanger Children

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Magnetic play sets can be extremely hazardous for children. The strong rare earth magnets included with many magnetic play sets have been known to cause serious intestinal injuries in children who swallow them. A recent story in “US News and World Report” about the ordeal one child underwent after swallowing such magnets illustrates just how devastating magnetic play set injuries can be.

Magnet toy sets are considered by many consumer advocates to be among the most dangerous toys on the market. Magnetix Building Sets were the first magnetic toy sets subject to a large scale recall in 2006, following the death of a toddler who swallowed a magnet that had come loose from its casing. The magnets in Magnetix, like those in many magnetic play sets, are high-energy neodymium iron boron magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these powerful magnets, they can be attracted to each other while in the intestinal tract. As a result, the magnets clump together, causing the intestines to twist. This can cause intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death. By the time the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) issued its first Magnetix recall in 2006, it had received 34 reports of injuries related to the toy. Since the Magnetix incident, other magnet play sets have been recalled. Mattel has issued recalls for 18 million other magnetic toys in several popular lines including Polly Pockets and Batman. Just last week, 125,000 Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems are being recalled after the commission received 16 reports of magnets coming loose from the toys.

The article in “US News and World Report” details the story of Braden Eberle, 4, of San Jose, Calif., who swallowed two tiny magnets from his older brother's construction kit on two successive days last spring. Braden told his mother after he swallowed the first magnet, but she thought it would eventually pass through his system without incident. But by dinnertime on the day after Braden swallowed the second magnet, he developed stomach pains. The next morning, with Braden still in pain, the family's doctor told his parents to take him straight to the emergency room where an X-ray revealed the two magnets were stuck together. What’s worse, the magnets which had lodged in two different parts of the intestine, were attracted to each other through the intestinal tissue, and the wall of each segment was stuck together. The magnets squeezed the walls of the intestines together, causing the tissue between them to rot away, creating holes in the intestinal tract.

Fortunately for Braden, a surgeon was able to use minimally invasive laparoscopy to remove both magnets with three small incisions during a procedure that lasted two hours. Braden went home three days after the operation.

But Braden’s surgeon, Dr. Sanjeev Dutta, told “US News and World Reports” that parents need to be aware of the dangers magnet play sets pose to their young children. "It's a new type of magnet that's extremely powerful, much more powerful than the magnets that we used to play with," Dutta explained. "It seems like such a benign thing. But these things look like candy to a 3-year-old."

Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems Latest Dangerous Magnet Toy Set Subject to Recall

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

More magnet toy sets were recalled today amid concerns that the powerful magnets could severely injure the intestines of children who swallow them. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) 125,000 Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems are being recalled after the commission received 16 reports of magnets coming loose from the toys, although the magnet toy sets have not caused any injuries.

Magnet toy sets are considered by many consumer advocates to be among the most dangerous toys on the market. Magnetix Building Sets were the first magnetic toy sets subject to a large scale recall in 2006, following the death of a toddler who swallowed a magnet that had come loose from its casing.   The magnets in Magnetix, like those in the recalled Magnabild sets, are high-energy neodymium iron boron magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these powerful magnets, they can be attracted to each other while in the intestinal tract. As a result, the magnets clump together, causing the intestines to twist. This can cause intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death. By the time the CPSC issued its first Magnetix recall in 2006, it had received 34 reports of injuries related to the toy. Since the Magnetix incident, other magnet play sets have been recalled. Mattel has issued recalls for 18 million other magnetic toys in several popular lines including Polly Pockets and Batman.

Since those recalls, the makers of magnetic play sets have attempted to make the toys safer. Both Mega Brands and Mattel have redesigned their magnetic toy sets by partially embedding the magnets in plastic and sealing dangerous pieces with a cap that prevents the parts from escaping. The Toy Industry Association also addressed the problem in May by drafting a set of voluntary standards for magnetic play sets. Under the new rules, magnets must either be “reliably contained” within a product or the toys must carry a warning label explaining the dangers of ingestion.   Magnetic toys made under those standards were to start appearing on store shelves this month.

Unfortunately, the Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems being recalled today were not made under those new standards.   The Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building System recall involves the 293-piece (item number BB1502H) and the180-piece (item number BB1431H) Magnabild Magnetic Building System sets. Both sets come in a rotating display cases that contain 1-inch and 4-inch rods with magnets, curved 1-inch rods, triangle and square pieces with magnets, square-shaped plastic building pieces, triangles and 5-sided pieces, and metal balls. The pieces come in different colors. All of the plastic building pieces, except the 4-inch flexible rods, have the word “Magnabild” in raised lettering on them. The item number is found on a hang tag attached to the set. The product is designed for children older than three years. According to the CPSC, the recalled magnet toy sets were sold by various retailers nationwide and online sellers from 2005 through 2007 for between $30 and $40.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled Magnabild Magnetic Building System away from children and contact Battat to receive a pre-paid mailer to return the toy and to receive a free replacement product. For more information, consumers may contact Battat at (800) 247-6144 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.battaco.com.

Super Magnet Toy Recall Issued for Latest Magnetic Toy Set to Pose Danger to Children

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Another magnetic toy set has been recalled amid fears that powerful magnets could cause intestinal injuries if they are swallowed. This time, Super Magnets manufactured in China and imported by Man’s Trading Company of Brisbane, California are being recalled after it was discovered that the magnet on the bottom of the small panda toy are likely to detach, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). So far, no injuries have been reported in relation to the defective Super Magnet toys.

Magnetic play sets are among some of the most dangerous toys on the market. Magnetix Building Sets were the first magnetic play sets subject to a large scale recall in 2006, following the death of a toddler who swallowed a magnet that had come loose from its casing. The magnets in Magnetix and so many other similar sets are high-energy neodymium iron boron magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these powerful magnets, they can be attracted to each other while in the intestinal tract. As a result, the magnets clump together, causing the intestines to twist. This can cause intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death. By the time the CPSC issued its first Magnetix recall in 2006, it had received 34 reports of injuries related to the toy, including one death. Since the Magnetix incident, other magnet play sets have been recalled. Over the summer, Mattel issued recalls for 18 million other magnetic toys in several popular lines including Polly Pockets and Batman.

Both Mega Brands and Mattel have redesigned their magnetic toy sets by partially embedding the magnets in plastic and sealing dangerous pieces with a cap that prevents the parts from escaping. The Toy Industry Association also addressed the problem in May by drafting a set of voluntary standards for magnetic play sets. Under the new rules, magnets must either be “reliably contained” within a product or the toys must carry a warning label explaining the dangers of ingestion. Unfortunately, most of the magnetic play sets in stores right now were made over the summer, and the safer versions won’t hit the market until January.

Apparently, the recalled Super Magnets where not manufactured under the new guidelines. This latest magnetic toy set recall involves 2800 Super Magnet toys. According to the CPSC Super Magnet recall notice, the ½-inch toys are shaped and painted to resemble panda bears. A small magnet is attached to the bottom of the toy. “Super Magnets” and the MTC logo are printed on the front of the packaging. The magnet toys were sold eight to a package at dollar and gift stores nationwide from September 2005 through November 2007 for about $1. Consumers should take the recalled toy away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. Additional information on the Super Magnet recall can be obtained by contacting Man’s Trading Comapny at (800) 388-7228 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or by e-mailing the firm at mtcmans@aol.com.

Toy Recalls Result of US Trade Policy that Promotes Overseas Production, Consumer Group Says.

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

There has been a surge of toy recalls this year—over six million for lead; the highest number ever for product defects—and recalls are due, in part, to U.S. trade agreements encouraging American toymakers to cut costs by shifting production overseas, according to the watchdog group Public Citizen. Concerns about toy safety have been at the forefront of the holiday shopping season this year as millions of Chinese-made toys were recalled for excessive lead content or other hazards, such as small parts and magnets. Some of the most popular toys recalled include Thomas the Tank Engine, Curious George and SpongeBob SquarePants; lawsuits include Fisher-Price; Michaels Stores; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Costco Wholesale; Eveready Battery; KMart; and Marvel Entertainment.

Public Citizen’s report states over 87% of U.S. toys are imported, a huge shift from the 1970s when nearly 90% of U. S. toys were produced domestically. "This toy safety crisis was made in America by toy corporations who chose to relocate their production to locations that can't ensure toy safety," says Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch division. “Failed trade policy" encouraged U.S. toy companies to move much of their manufacturing overseas to areas with less reliable safety standards, according to Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.

Legislation to improve toy safety and give more clout to the besieged U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is moving through the Senate and the House of Representatives. Brown said toy manufacturers have irresponsibly pushed hard for foreign subcontractors to cut costs. "We know these products are made in conditions and under an economic regime where there is no emphasis on toy safety. It's no surprise they make dangerous toys." The report said Chinese-made toys accounted for 94% of 2007’s recalls, driven almost entirely by hazards related to excessive lead, probably because highly leaded paint is much cheaper. It’s also vastly cheaper to purchase toys from China where the hourly wage for toy manufacturing workers in 2006 was 36 cents, about 2.5% of the U.S. wage.

Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and can cause mental and physical retardation and behavioral and other health problems in children. In adults, lead can damage the nervous system. Toys with small parts and small magnets can pose choking hazards and many remained on shelves and were sold without warning labels of possible choking hazards several times this year.

Last week, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson met with Chinese officials, and the two countries agreed to ensure Chinese-made toys meet U.S. safety standards. Also, the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreements have provisions providing foreign investor protections and limiting product safety standards and inspections. "These agreements prioritize ensuring a favorable investment climate for U.S. firms seeking to relocate production overseas to take advantage of sweatshop wages, weak regulatory systems, and cheap product inputs over the concern of most Americans," Public Citizen said in the report. Brown said the United States could make toys safer by changing its approach in trade negotiations and allowing fewer incentives to offshore production.

Selling Recalled Toys Should be a Crime, New York Lawmaker Says

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Selling recalled toys would be a crime in New York if one state lawmaker has his way. The proposed toy recall law comes in response to what has been dubbed the “year of the recall” by some, as millions of dangerous toys have been removed from the market. Yet despite widely published toy recalls, many recalled items are still being found on store shelves, potentially placing millions of children in serious danger.

Toy safety has received a great deal of attention this year. Since August, toy giant Mattel has issued 3 separate toy recalls for products contaminated with lead and others made with dangerous magnets. In June, the RC2 Company recalled more than 1 million lead-tainted Thomas and Friends toy trains. Children’s jewelry and character notebooks have also been recalled for the same reason. Another popular toy, Aqua Dots, was recalled in November because it contained a chemical known as a “date rape drug.”

But recalls are often not enough to insure that unsafe toys don’t make it into the hands of children. Just last week, the New York Consumer Protection Board said its inspectors had recently visited 2,800 stores and found about 620 recalled toys still on shelves. And just yesterday, officials from US Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure of thousands of cartons of poisonous Aqua Dots, shipped from China, that were bound for American stores. Other surveys have found recalled toys and other products for sale on online auction sites and at second hand stores.

The failure of federal regulators to protect American children from dangerous toys has led many states to consider enacting their own laws. For example, California’s Attorney General has sued 20 companies, including Mattel Inc. and Toys R Us, accusing them of selling toys that contain unlawful amounts of lead and failing to warn the public of the health dangers. California is also the first state to seek labeling of toys made with unsafe levels of lead. It's part of the state's right-to-know law aimed at embarrassing businesses into removing toxic chemicals from their products.

Now, New York has become the latest state to try to stem the tide of unsafe toys. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) has proposed a law would punish the owners of retail and wholesale distribution firms who sell recalled toys with a fine of up to $5,000 per infraction and as much as a year in prison. The dangerous toy bill would apply penalties to dealers "who knowingly or intentionally sell to the public ... any toy or play equipment that has been the subject of a manufacturer or government ordered recall" because of a dangerous defect. The bill also states that dealers have 30 days to pull the products after notice of the recall.

Jeffries' proposal is similar to one presented last week by several other lawmakers in the New York State Senate. That proposal allows the attorney general to seek a civil penalty of $1,000 to $10,000 for retailers who violate the new law, but it does not include jail time.

The New York legislature is expected to take up the toy recall laws sometime early next year.

Dangerous Toy Crackdown Coming As Congress Readies New Product Safety Laws

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

A toy safety crackdown could finally come at the end of the year, as both houses of the US Congress are poised to pass legislation aimed at keeping dangerous toys and other products away from consumers. Congress has been working on toughening up product safety laws following a wave of recalls for toys and other products this year.

A string of recalls for toys and other products have shined a spotlight on what some say is an ineffective Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Some of the recalls have involved lead-tainted children's toys, dangerous magnetic play sets, cribs that became death traps, and dangerous baby seats. In many instances, the CPSC waited until several children were injured, and even killed, before it acted on reports that a product could be dangerous. Too often, the CPSC relies on the manufacturers of defective products to handle safety issues, and that rarely works out well for consumers.

If passed, new product safety legislation would more than double the budget of the CPSC by 2015, increase the agency's power to inspect and recall products and mandate additional testing for children's products. But while the reforms have strong bipartisan support in Congress, the Bush Administration and Nancy Nord, the head of the CPSC, have been less than enthusiastic about the proposals. Despite the fact that the CPSC budget has declined by 15 percent in the past three years, and that it employs only one full-time toy inspector, Nord said she does not believe the agency needs more money. Nord's stance has been widely criticized, and at one point, some in Congress where demanding her resignation.

In a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill), one of the leading proponents of product safety reform, criticized the Bush Administration's opposition to the proposals. Durbin wants the President to increase the CPSC budget by at least 10 percent in his next budget request. He also asked the president to improve the CPSC's Web site to better help consumers find recall information, to work with Congress to fill vacant seats on the commission and to halt all agency staff travel sponsored by companies the commission regulates.

Most of this year's toy recalls have involved Chinese made products. In his speech, Durbin likened toy shopping to playing "Chinese roulette" as parents must worry that their child's holiday toys will contain lead paint, toxic glue and dangerous magnets. Durbin advised that this holiday season might be a "good year for books and movies".

Magnetic Play Sets Still Dangerous Despite New Safety Rules

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Magnetic play sets, like the popular Magnetix Building Sets sold by Mega Brands, are high on many children's holiday gift lists. And though Magnetix and other such play sets have been the subject of numerous toy recalls, many parents might believe these toys are now safe. That's because, following the magnet play set recalls, the toy industry drafted a new set of design and labeling standards intended to make magnetic toys safer and warn parents of which toys have magnets in them. Unfortunately, there's a problem - the new magnetic play set standards won't go into effect until January, long after people have finished their holiday shopping.

Magnetix Building Sets were the first magnetic play sets subject to a large scale recall in 2006, following the death of a toddler who swallowed a magnet that had come loose from its casing. The magnets in Magnetix and so many other similar sets are high-energy neodymium iron boron magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these powerful magnets, they can be attracted to each other while in the intestinal tract. As a result, the magnets clump together, causing the intestines to twist. This can cause intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death. By the time the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) issued its first Magnetix recall in 2006, it had received 34 reports of injuries related to the toy. Since the Magnetix incident, other magnet play sets have been recalled. Mattel has issued recalls for 18 million other magnetic toys in several popular lines including Polly Pockets and Batman.

Both Mega Brands and Mattel have redesigned their magnetic toy sets by partially embedding the magnets in plastic and sealing dangerous pieces with a cap that prevents the parts from escaping. The Toy Industry Association also addressed the problem in May by drafting a set of voluntary standards for magnetic play sets. Under the new rules, magnets must either be "reliably contained" within a product or the toys must carry a warning label explaining the dangers of ingestion.

Unfortunately, most of the magnetic play sets in stores right now were made over the summer, and the safer versions won't hit the market until January. What's worse, many of the magnet toys on the market have been proven unsafe. According to the Wall Street Journal, a report published last month by the consumer advocacy group U.S. PIRG cites five toy lines believed to pose an ingestion hazard that were being sold in a number of discount stores nationwide. In some cases, the group found loose magnets falling right out of the packaging. The report also cites two lines of magnetic jewelry as hazardous because the new rules don't apply to such products since jewelry isn't technically considered a "toy" by the industry.

At the moment, there is just no way for parents to be sure magnetic play sets are safe for children. For that reason, it might be best to avoid these hazardous toys all together.

Toy Recalls, Defective Toys Require Parents to Be Vigilant

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Toy Recalls and dangerous toys are of particular concern to parents. Yet, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) agrees that parents—a group who should be among the first to know about dangers to their children—are the last made aware about dangerous toys. The AAP urges parents to be informed. Challenging given that this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled 61 dangerous toys involving more than 25 million products. Toys are undergoing increased reviews which may lead to additional recalls before year-end.

Firms take steps to remove recalled products from market, but it is impossible to police toys sold at thrift stores, garage sales, and Internet auction sites. Recalls extend to nontoy products and, sometimes, action is not swift. The death of an 8-month old a year ago prompted the recall of 36,000 racks sold by Jetmax only this month. It took three weeks for the CPSC to pick up a faulty Bassettbaby’s crib for review—nearly 9000 were recalled due to construction flaws posing entrapment and strangulation hazards. Nearly one million Graco and Simplicity cribs were recalled due to a design flaw resulting in three children’s deaths. The CPSC was criticized for its handling of the Graco and Simplicity Crib investigation and the Chicago Tribune claims the recall was only issued after the agency learned the paper was going to press about their neglect. The CPSC has also been harshly criticized for being influenced by the companies it regulates. Incomprehensively, high-level officials accepted free trips paid for by the industries they were charged to oversee.

Much of what goes into toy shopping is common sense but how can a shopper tell if a toy is lead tainted? Over six million toys have been recalled due to lead. Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and can cause mental and physical retardation and behavioral and other health problems in children. In adults, lead can damage the nervous system.

The AAP suggests, among other things: Show children how to use toys. Avoid toys with loose parts, sharp pieces, choking or strangulation hazards, or loud noises that can damage a child’s hearing. Read labels and buy age-appropriate items. Buy non-toxic products—crayons and markers have found their way on the hazardous items list. Ensure toys and parts are larger than a child's mouth, nose, and ears. Soft toys should be washable, have secure seams and edges—small pellets can cause choking or suffocation. No metal parts for a baby or toddler. Small batteries are toxic and can cause choking. Electric toys should be "UL Approved.” Crib gyms and mobiles are not suitable for children who can push up. Toy chests should have smooth, finished, nontoxic edges; sturdy lids that remain open in any position and with locking supports; safe hinges that do not pinch skin; and ventilation holes.

Many parents believe a toy is safe if it is on the shelves. This is not always the case and parents must be vigilant; what appears to be harmless could result in injury. Despite best efforts, thousands of children suffer toy-related injuries yearly. By knowing what to look for when buying toys and practicing a few simple ideas for safe use, you can prevent some problems before they occur.

Toy Safety Guidelines Released by CPSC, As Consumers Urged to Be on Guard for Defective Toys

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

As toy recalls continue to plague consumers, toy safety is very much on the minds of parents right now. With the busiest shopping season of the year is upon us, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is emphasizing the importance of safe shopping and says that knowing the ABCs of toy safety will make for happy holidays: A for Awareness, B for Benefits, and C for Consumers: Awareness Benefits Consumers.

Awareness involves knowing the CPSC exists, what the agency does to protect consumers, and what poses the greatest risks. The CPSC claims it is their increased scrutiny of toys that has led to consumer Benefits. The CPSC says it is taking the steps required to remove dangerous products from stores and more companies are testing products and reporting safety problems. There are over 400 annual children product recalls that do receive media coverage, the CPSC says Consumers should stay informed and aware of recalls by signing up to receive email notification of recalls at www.cpsc.gov.

Many of the CPSC toy safety recommendations are common sense. The agency urges consumers to look for labels that give age and safety recommendations; select toys to suit the child’s age, abilities, skills, and interest. Look for sturdy construction. No toys with sharp edges and points for children under eight, no small magnets for children under six—when swallowed, magnets can cause serious injuries and death—and no small parts for children under three. Immediately discard plastic wrappings and keep older children’s toys away from young children. Read instructions and warnings on battery chargers; some are unable prevent overcharging and can cause thermal burn hazards. Riding toys, skateboards, and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly; safety gear should be sized to fit. Projectile toys are for older children and can cause serious eye injuries.

This year, the CPSC recalled 61 toys involving more than 25 million product. Over six million toys have been recalled due to lead, the highest number ever due to product defects. Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and can cause mental and physical retardation and behavioral and other health problems in children. In adults, lead can damage the nervous system.

When recalls occur, firms take steps to remove products from market, but it is impossible to police toys sold at thrift stores, garage sales, and Internet auction sites. A large variety of recalled toys were found selling individually and in bulk via retail and business-to-businesses sites. Recalls also extend to non-toy products and sometimes, action is not swift. The death of an 8-month old baby boy prompted the recall of 36,000 racks sold by Jetmax. It took three weeks for the CPSC to pick up a faulty Bassettbaby’s crib for review. Nearly 9000 were recalled due to a construction flaw posing entrapment and strangulation hazards. Nearly one million Graco and Simplicity cribs were recalled due to a design flaw resulting in three children’s deaths; the CPSC was criticized for its handling of the investigation and, according to the Chicago Tribune, the recall was only issued after the agency learned the paper was going to press about their neglect.

The CPSC has been harshly criticized for being influenced by the companies it regulates. Incomprehensively, high-level officials accepted free trips paid for by the industries they were charged to oversee.

Toy Safety Survey Says 'Bob the Builder', 'Curious George' Top List of Unsafe Toys

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Toy recall after toy recall this year has made parents anxious as they begin their holiday shopping. It’s difficult to judge whether a toy is safe or not when it is tightly packaged and sitting on store shelf. Fortunately, consumer protection groups have made it their business to try to identify unsafe toys. Just in time for holiday shopping, the watchdog organization US Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG) released its annual toy safety survey in an effort to help consumers avoid hazardous products this holiday shopping season.

The 2007 “Trouble in Toyland” report is the 22nd annual toy safety survey conducted by US PIRG. This year, US PIRG says it focused on four categories of unsafe toys: toys that may pose choking hazards, magnetic toys, toys that are excessively loud, and toys that contain lead and other potentially toxic chemicals. To compile the survey, representatives from US PIRG visited numerous toy stores and other retailers to find potentially dangerous toys and identify trends in toy safety. The US PIRG “Trouble in Toyland” report also provides safety guidelines for parents when purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

Some of the unsafe toys highlighted by US PIRG in the “Trouble in Toyland Report” include a Bob the Builder doll, made by Learning Curve/RC2 that contains small parts that are a chocking hazard; Safari Magnetic Marbles, manufactured by Safari LTD that contain powerful magnets that can cause intestinal injuries if swallowed; and a number of Curious George dolls made by Marvel Toys that contain lead. US PIRG says that such toys are unacceptable, and the organization is hoping that its report will cause the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to take action to get the toys included in the report off of the market.

The CPSC is one organization that comes in for a great deal of criticism in the US PIRG unsafe toy report. Understaffed and underfunded, the CPSC cannot be counted on to keep unsafe toys away from children, says US PIRG. According to the US PIRG “Trouble in Toyland” report, the CPSC is the nation’s smallest safety agency, yet it is responsible for 15,000 different products— from chain saws to escalators and from kitchen appliances to toys. Its current actual budget ($63 million) is less than half of what its 1974 startup budget ($34 million) would be today if merely corrected for inflation ($140 million). It has only one toy tester at its outdated Maryland laboratory; worse, only 15 of 400 total staff (down from a 1980 peak of 978) are on duty full-time as port inspectors.

US PIRG has called on Congress to close the holes in toy safety. Currently, lawmakers are debating two bills that would give the CPSC more authority and funding. Among other things, the proposed laws would increase fines against companies that produce unsafe toys, and give the CPSC authority to issue mandatory recalls. Right now, the agency can only ask manufacturers of defective products to issue voluntary recalls.

Toy Recalls Spur Defective Toy Lawsuits, Calls to Reform CPSC

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Toy Recalls have become routine this year. So far, over six million toys have been recalled because of lead; the highest number ever due to product defects. Defective toy lawsuits now include Fisher-Price; Michaels Stores; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Costco Wholesale; Eveready Battery; KMart; and Marvel Entertainment for Ernie, Elmo, Big Bird, SpongeBob, and Thomas the Train products. Yet, potentially dangerous toys remain on store shelves and many were sold without warning labels of possible choking hazards several times this year.

Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and can cause mental and physical retardation and behavioral and other health problems in children. In adults, lead can damage the nervous system. But lead isn’t the only problem according to two consumer investigations—toys with small parts can pose choking hazards, while those with small magnets can also cause intestinal injuries. Unfortunately that message is not coming from governmental agencies, as these sorts of messages should.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been harshly criticized for being influenced by the companies it regulates. Incomprehensively, high-level officials accepted free trips paid for by the industries they were charged to oversee. The CPSC argues that they are constrained by a small budget and legal issues and that staff has dropped to an all-time low. The House and Senate are considering legislation to overhaul the product safety system by increasing CPSC's budget, raising the cap on civil penalties, and giving the CPSC authority to provide quicker public notice of potentially dangerous products. The measure also seeks to ban officials from taking trips financed by the industries they oversee

Meanwhile, California Attorney General Jerry Brown sued 20 companies Monday for selling toys with unlawful quantities of lead and failing to warn the public of health dangers. Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo joined the suit and additional suits were filed by the Center for Environmental Health, the Environmental Law Foundation, and As You Sow.

California is seeking labeling of toys made with unsafe levels of lead as part of the state's “Right-to-Know” law aimed at embarrassing businesses into removing toxic chemicals from their products. The federal government doesn't require manufacturers and retailers to disclose this information but does have laws limiting how much lead can be used in such products. The Center for Environmental Health recently discovered of 100 toys tested for lead, nine contained high levels of 900 parts per million or more and six had levels higher than 100 parts per million. Consumer advocates feel all lead should be banned from toys and support parts of a bill known as the CPSC Reform Act, designed to prevent unsafe toys from reaching stores. The bill has passed the Senate Commerce Committee and is awaiting further action. They also support a similar bill called the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act to be heard in the House Energy and Commerce Committee next week.

The Chinese government recently signed agreements to help prevent lead-painted toys from reaching the U.S. and toys are undergoing more inspection and re-testing which may lead to more CPSC recalls before year's end.

Target Magnetic Toy Set Recall for Dangerous Game Pieces Sold with

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Target has issued a magnetic toy set recall for 110,000 game pieces included with some backpacks sold by the discount store chain. The magnets have a tendency to come loose, and could be hazardous if swallowed by young children. The recall, which was announced yesterday by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), includes game pieces that accompanied backpacks featuring characters from the movie “Cars.”

This is not the first recall the CPSC has announced for magnetic toy sets, which can cause serious injuries to children if ingested. If a child swallows more than one of the powerful magnets, they can become attracted to each other in the intestinal tract. This can cause the intestines to twist, and can lead to bowel obstructions, intestinal perforations and other serious injuries.

In 2006, the CPSC issued a recall of popular Magnetix magnetic toy sets after it had received 34 reports of injuries related to the toy. One of them involved a 20-month old child who died as the result of an intestinal blockage. In April 2007, the CPSC expanded the recall to include all Magnetix sets sold before March 2006. By then, injury reports had reached 1,500. Then in August 2007, Mattel Inc. issued additional recalls for millions of magnetic toy sets. According to the CPSC recall notice, Mattel had received more than 400 reports of magnets coming out of the recalled toys, although there were no injury reports regarding the defective Mattel magnetic toy sets.

The Target magnetic toy set recall includes four magnetic game pieces that were sold with the red and gray “Cars” backpacks. The game pieces included a red plastic car; a blue plastic car; and two red and black plastic disks that have “GAS,” “OIL” and “SERVICE” printed in red letters on the black perimeter of the disks. “Warning: Choking Hazard-Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years” is printed on the backpack hangtag. “Disney Presents a PIXAR film” is printed on the gray vinyl front of the backpack. According to the CPSC, the magnets can fall out of their plastic enclosures, and could then be swallowed by small children. So far, the CPSC has received three reports of the magnets coming loose, but no reports of any injuries.

The vinyl “Cars” backpacks were sold for about $13 at Target stores nationwide between February and September 2007. The backpack itself has not been recalled, so consumers are being told to return only the magnetic toys. In return, consumers will be given a “Cars” wallet or an item of similar value. Customers who prefer to return both the magnetic toy sets and the backpack may do so as well. They will receive a Target gift card equal to the price of the backpack and sales tax. Target also said it would waive its normal 90-day return policy for customers who purchased the defective magnetic toy sets.

Wal-Mart Toy Recall Issued for Lead Contaminated Animal Figures

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Wal-Mart has become the latest retailer to issue a recall for lead tainted toys.   The retail giant issued the recall Friday after it discovered the problem with some animal figures sold in its stores after conducting its own lead testing.   Wal-Mart is just one of many companies to institute its own toy safety program following a rash of toy recalls this past summer.

This Wal-Mart toy recall could be a real challenge for parents, as the Bentonville, Arkansas retailer is giving consumers very little information about the defective toys. In a news release announcing the recall, Wal-Mart described the toys as “sets of realistic-looking farm animals, jungle animals and dinosaurs”.   The recalled Wal-Mart toys were sold loose in cellophane bags with no brand name. The toy sets have a cardboard hanger that includes the price of 88 cents and reads “Dinosaurs”, “Farm Animals” or “Jungle Animals”. Wal-Mart won’t say how many such toys were sold, nor will it reveal the name of the manufacturer. Pictures of the recalled Wal-Mart toys are available on the company’s website.

Wal-Mart said it had pulled the toys off of its shelves earlier this month, after preliminary tests revealed high lead levels. The Wal-Mart toy recall was issued Friday after the first tests were verified. According to the company’s press release, Wal-Mart believes that the lead tainted toys were sold through other retailers, and it has provided the name of the manufacturer to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

In August, Wal-Mart announced that it would be increasing safety checks of the toys sold in its stores. As part of this program, Wal-Mart has asked its suppliers to resubmit testing documentation, and is checking to see if stated results are accurate. Wal-Mart also said that it would be subjecting more toys to independent lab tests, and would be testing up to 200 items each day.

Earlier this summer, several other toy companies also announced that they would be increasing their efforts to insure toy safety. Disney, Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop have all said they would be testing toys featuring their licensed characters. And both Target and Toys ‘R’ Us have increased toy testing.

Toy safety has received a great deal of attention this year. Since August, toy giant Mattel has issued 3 separate toy recalls for lead hazards and other problems. In June, the RC2 Company recalled more than 1 million lead-tainted Thomas and Friends toy trains. Children’s jewelry and character notebooks have also been recalled for the same reason.

Exposure to lead can cause brain damage and other problems in young children, and the US all but banned the toxin from toys nearly 30 years ago. But more and more toy manufacturers have moved their operations to China, where most of the recalled toys originated.   These factories are not subject to the same levels of inspection US operations would have to undergo. Because of this, millions of lead-tainted toys have made their way into the US, exposing an unknown number of children to this dangerous poison.

Mattel Toy Recalls Sparks Lawsuits by Shareholders, Angry Parents

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Mattel Inc. continues to be plagued by fallout from this summer’s massive toy recalls. In addition to a tarnished reputation, Mattel is facing dozens of lawsuits filed by parents whose children were exposed to the lead paint and dangerous magnets used in the recalled toys.   And just this week, a large pension fund filed a shareholder lawsuit against Mattel, alleging among other things that the company mishandled the toy recalls.

Since August 1, Mattel has issued three separate recalls for a total of 21 million toys because they contained either toxic lead paint or dangerous magnets that could cause intestinal injuries in children if swallowed. Following the company’s first recall of lead tainted Fisher-Price toys, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that it was investigating Mattel’s timing of the recall announcement.

Federal law requires that companies inform the CPSC of safety issues within 24 hours of learning of them.   But Mattel learned of the problems with its Fisher-Price toys on July 6, and the recall wasn’t announced until August 1. In the past, the CPSC has fined Mattel several times for failing to report safety problems in a timely manner. In 2001, the CPSC levied a $1.1 million fine against Mattel's Fisher-Price division for failing to report serious safety defects with Power Wheels toy vehicles. It was the largest fine against a toy firm in the agency's history. For its part, Mattel has long refused to comply with disclosure laws, calling the rules “unreasonable”.

Now, a Michigan pension fund, the Sterling Heights Police and Fire Retirement System, has sued Mattel, seeking compensation for the loss that shareholders may incur from the recalls. According to the New York Times, the suit claims that Mattel’s directors, including the chief executive, Robert A. Eckert, breached their duty to shareholders by allowing the company to delay the reporting of hazardous toys beyond the 24 hours allowed by law.   The lawsuit also claims that Mattel withheld information about its products from the CPSC for years in order to prop up sales and avoid fines, thereby artificially inflating the value of Mattel stock.   Finally, the suit also accuses four Mattel directors of selling $33 million worth of stock from late January to early May and profiting from insider knowledge of coming problems.

The pension fund owns 23,600 shares of Mattel stock now worth $534,776. But the value of the pension fund’s stock could be negatively affected by the Mattel recalls.   The company has already had to restate projected sales figures as a result of the recalls.   And Mattel faces at least 10 lawsuits filed by parents in federal courts on behalf of children exposed to defective toys. The company also faces even more lawsuits in state courts, and some are seeking class action status.

So far, Mattel has not commented on any of the pending litigation.

Summer of the Toy Recalls Spurs Congress to Action

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Toy recall after toy recall this past summer has Congress looking for ways to fix the nation’s broken consumer product safety system.   At a hearing in the US Senate yesterday, one Senator charged that a lack of funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had allowed the agency to “wither on the vine”. And elsewhere on Capitol Hill, other lawmakers were working to enact a near-total ban on lead in products marketed for children.

Ironically, yesterday’s Senate hearing began just minutes after the CPSC announced yet another batch of recalls for more than 500,000 defective toys and other items that contained illegal levels of lead. It also came at the end of what CPSC Acting Chairperson Nancy Nord called “the summer of the recall”, as million of Chinese made toys have been recalled for lead paint and other hazards.   The recalls have hit some of the biggest and most trusted toy makers in the country.   This summer, Mattel issued three separate recalls for toys that contained hazardous lead paint and dangerous magnets. Meanwhile, the RC2 Corporation had to twice recall lead painted Thomas the Tank Engine Toys, and just yesterday Disney recalled thousands of Baby Einstein blocks for the same reason.   Dozens of smaller companies have recalled everything from children’s jewelry, key chains, notebooks, water bottles and flashlights – all made in China – due to dangerous levels of lead.

Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill) called for more funding for the CPSC and said he was in favor of legislation that would increase both its budget and staff. "Let's face it -- our consumer product safety system is busted and in need of major reform," Durbin said. Durbin has been a frequent critic of the CPSC, and recently took the agency to task for waiting too long to recall defective Simplicity and Graco cribs that killed three children.

Nord said she agreed with many of the reforms proposed for the CPSC, but stopped short of directly asking for money.   That disturbed one Senator, who asked if Nord had been directed by the White House to refrain from requesting more funding. Nord claimed that she had not been given any such instructions.

Meanwhile, several other lawmakers were working to ban any and all lead in children’s products.   Even small amounts of lead can cause brain damage and other problems if it is ingested by small children. Currently, lead can be present in children’s toys at levels no higher than 600 parts per million, but consumer advocates say that regulation is outdated. Earlier this week, aseveral members of Congress introduced legislation in both the House and Senate to that would ban lead from children’s products.

"Lead in children's products is dangerous and unnecessary," said California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. "This is the kind of simple, common-sense action the Consumer Product Safety Commission should have taken years ago.”

Disney Toy Recall Includes 35,000 Lead Painted Baby Einstein Blocks

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Disney is the latest company to announce a toy recall of dangerous toys that contain illegal levels of lead.   The company announced this afternoon that it was recalling 35,000 Baby Einstein toy blocks made with lead paint.   The Disney recall was only one of several announced today, as more than a half million more Chinese- manufactured toys were found to contain hazardous amounts of lead.

In addition to the recall of lead-painted Baby Einstein blocks, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) issued recalls for a variety of products that contained high levels of lead.   These include coined shaped “Pirates of the Caribbean” flashlights, cups shaped like Frankenstein's head, Totally Me! Funky Room Decor Set decorating kits imported and sold by Toys "R" Us Inc. and a variety of wooden toys imported and sold by KB Toys Inc. This wave of recalls even included products not necessarily meant for children, including key chains containing high levels of lead, as well as bookmarks and journals with lead-tainted surface paint. All of the products being recalled were manufactured in China.

These latest announcements come on the heels of several highly publicized recalls of dangerous Chinese toys.   Since August, toy giant Mattel has issued three separate recalls of toys with hazardous magnets and lead paint.   Just last week, the CPSC recalled another half million toys distributed by various companies that contained too much lead.   And since June, the RC2 Corporation has announced two recalls of Thomas & Friends wooden toy trains. The second RC2 recall actually included bonus toys the company gave away to atone for the first Thomas & Friends recall.

All of these toy recalls have angered parents and prompted toy companies like Mattel to promise stricter monitoring of Chinese manufacturers and more thorough testing of toys. For example, following the second Mattel recall, Disney made the decision to start conducting its own tests of toys featuring Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and other popular characters last week. Among the toys recalled for lead paint in the second Mattel recall were die cast cars based on a character from the Disney movie “Cars”.

The CPSC said that the latest rounds of recalls are the results of these tougher testing policies. "There will be more recalls because of lead violations, but we also anticipate that we will begin to see fewer and fewer of them as a big portion of the marketplace will have been tested," a CPSC spokesperson told the Associated Press. "What you're seeing now is the result of a systematic approach to going through inventories."

Regardless of the reason, toy recalls are up significantly this year. In its thirty year history, the CPSC has issued 154 recalls for toys containing dangerous levels of lead.   Nearly half have occurred since January 2006, something that has worried parents and incurred the wrath of lawmakers.   The crisis surrounding hazardous toys has led several lawmakers to propose various solutions to the problem ranging from more powers for the CPSC to a total ban on toys from China.

EBay Announces New Product Recall Policy

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

EBay has announced a new policy to prevent recalled products from being sold on the popular online auction site.   The move came after several random surveys of the EBay site found countless dangerous recalled products listed for sale.

Yesterday, EBay said that it would start sending warning notices to people who posted recalled items on the site.   The company said that further violations of its recall policy could result in the seller losing the right to list products on EBay. The company is also warning shoppers to be extra careful before they bid on items, and is providing links to the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website so that they can check if a product is recalled.

The EBay announcement comes after several high profile recalls were initiated over the summer.   Since August 1, the CPSC has issued three separate recalls for hazardous, Chinese-made Mattel toys.   The recalls involved toys with lead paint, and others that contained dangerous magnets that could cause intestinal injuries if swallowed by a child. Other dangerous products, including jewelry made for children, cribs, school supplies and clothing have all been recalled this summer.

But many of those items eventually end up being resold at thrift shops, garage sales and online.   Earlier this summer, an article in the Injury Journal reported on a study done by the Center for Industry Research and Policy at Columbus Children’s Hospital. The researchers chose 141 children’s products that had been recalled between 1992 and 2004 and searched for them on EBay. The items included bassinets, walkers, furniture and riding toys.   Recalled items were up for sale in 190 different auctions. The researchers also found that most of the recalled products received multiple bids, indicating that bidders were not aware of recalls. And nearly 70 percent of the items were sold, putting many more children at risk for injury.

EBay’s management concedes that it cannot police the estimated 559 million new and used items listed for sale on the site every year.   EBay has always had a policy that prohibits recalled items, but the onus for identifying such products is usually placed on buyers and sellers.   The site’s “security and resolution” page has a link to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) recall website, and both sellers and buyers are encouraged by EBay to check the CPSC site. EBay also takes down auctions if the CPSC informs the company that an item up for bid has been recalled. And the CPSC says that it has worked with EBay to create filters that reduce the chance of a recalled item being sold on the site.

Whether or not the new EBay policy will keep dangerous recalled items off the site remains to be seen.   The best thing consumers can do to avoid buying such products on online auction sites like EBay is to become aware of product recalls, and check the status of any item before they consider buying it.

Latest Toy Recall Involves Nearly 600,000 Lead-Tainted Toys

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

American consumers have not seen the end of lead-tainted toy recalls.   This week, the Consumer Products Safety (CPSC) commission issued 7 separate recall notices for toys made with toxic lead paint and children’s jewelry that contain unlawful levels of lead.    So far this year, the CPSC has issued 50 separate recalls for children products that contained dangerous levels of lead, more than any other previous year. What’s worse, it is unlikely that these massive recalls will be the last for toys made with illegal amounts of lead.

Toy recalls have become an almost constant occurrence in the past several months, and have hit even the country’s largest toy maker. Since August 1, the CPSC has issued three separate recalls for hazardous, Chinese-made Mattel toys.   The recalls involved toys with lead paint, and others that contained dangerous magnets that could cause intestinal injuries if swallowed by a child. Other products, including jewelry made for children, school supplies and clothing have all been recalled for high levels of lead.

On Wednesday, the CPSC announced recalls for nearly 600,000 toys that contained illegal levels of lead. RC2 Corporation recalled five additional Thomas and Friends railway toys that contained lead paint. Earlier this summer, RC2 had recalled 1.2 million other Thomas and Friends toys for the same reason. RC2 also announced a separate recall for 800 “Knights of the Sword” toys for lead paint. Other recalls included 350,000 children’s gardening tools and chairs sold by Target; 10,000 floor puppet theaters sold by Guidecraft, Inc.; 23,500 Toby & Me Jewelry Sets; 16,000 children’s toy rakes sold by Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., and 850 children’s spinning wheel metal necklaces sold by Rhode Island Novelty.

In its thirty year history, the CPSC has issued 154 recalls for toys containing dangerous levels of lead.   Nearly half have occurred since January 2006, something that has worried parents and incurred the wrath of lawmakers.   Earlier this month, several US lawmakers introduced laws that would give the CPSC more authority to deal with dangerous toys.

But new laws won’t stop other toy recalls, which many experts say are a certainty.   Earlier this week, the Center for Health, Environment and Justice organized random testing of more than 50 toys and found high lead content in half of them. Three of those had extremely high lead levels, the Center said. Those toys included a Go Diego Go Backpack, a Superfly monkey and a pair of Circo LuLu boots.   The backpack contained a staggering lead level of 4,600 parts per million.   The allowable level for lead in toys sold in the US is only 600 parts per million. Those findings are proof that lead-tainted toys continue to endanger millions of children. It could be quite some time before parents see the end of toy recalls.

Mattel Toy Recalls Our Fault, Company Executive Tells China

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Mattel apologized to the Chinese government last week for a round of toy recalls that have tarnished the “Made in China” label. The fact that the apology was made in-person by one of the toy giant’s top executives underscores how important China is to Mattel’s bottom line.

Last Friday, Mattel’s vice president for worldwide operations, Thomas Debrowski, met with China’s product safety head, Li Changjang in an effort to mend fences.   “Mattel takes full responsibility for these recalls and apologizes personally to you, the Chinese people, and all of our customers who received the toys.”

Since August 1, the Consumer Products Safety Commission has issued three separate recalls for hazardous, Chinese-made Mattel toys.   The recalls involved toys with lead paint, and others that contained dangerous magnets that could cause intestinal injuries if swallowed by a child. The recalls were the most dramatic examples of problematic Chinese imports. This year, faulty tires, toxic toothpaste, poisonous pet foods and other products made in China have been recalled in the US and other countries.   The recall scandals have been a huge embarrassment for China, as its fast-growing economy is dependent on its exports.

Some analysts speculate that Mattel’s very public Chinese apology was an effort to head off retribution from the Chinese government for the embarrassment the recalls caused.   Manufacturing toys in China has dropped Mattel’s labor costs significantly and has helped to boost the company’s profits. Anger over the Mattel recalls could have led the Chinese government to impose punitive taxes or other regulations on Mattel.

Shortly after the recall scandals, some Chinese officials had said that Mattel’s flawed toy designs and lax quality standards were primarily responsible for the toy recalls. During his apology, Debrowski seemed to agree, saying that a “vast majority of those products that were recalled were the result of design flaws in Mattel’s design, not through a manufacturing flaw in China’s manufacturers.”

For his part, Chinese official Li seemed to relish Debrowski’s apology. “I really hope Mattel can learn from these incidents,” Li said, “and improve its quality control measures.” He also reminded Debrowski that “a large part of your annual profit comes from our factories in China.”

Mattel’s apology could do more than smooth relations between it and China. Some experts believe it could help rehabilitate China’s sagging manufacturing image. Earlier this month, researchers in Canada issued a report that found that design problems had been responsible for 76% of all US toy recalls since 1988. That finding backs up both China’s assertion, and Mattel’s acknowledgment that this summer’s Mattel toy recalls were mostly the fault of the Mattel itself.

CPSC Too Slow to Act on Toy Recalls, Congress Told

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has too little money, staff and power to prevent hazardous toys from reaching American children. That was the message the head of the CPSC brought to Capital Hill yesterday during a hearing on toy safety. But while many agreed that the CPSC needs more power and money, other information revealed at the hearing indicated that the agency is often too slow to enact toy recalls.

“Our little agency has been ignored by Congress and the public for way to long,” Nord told a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee yesterday. She said that the CPSC needed the authority to require US companies to certify that imported toys are safe. Such a move, Nord told Congress, would go a long way to insure toy safety.   With a staff of only 400, Nord said the CPSC can do little right now to force US toy makers to improve their quality standards.

Yesterdays hearing was the second straight day the House subcommittee spent on toy safety.   The issue got congressional attention after Mattel issued three separate recalls for toys with lead paint and hazardous magnets this summer.   In addition to Mattel, several other toy companies were plagued with recalls of other dangerous Chinese-made toys.   The issue has shined a bright spotlight on the inadequacies of the current import safety and inspection system in the US.

Some toy makers, while agreeing that the CPSC needs to be bolstered, criticized the agency for slowness in announcing product recalls.   During the first day of the hearing, letters written by US companies involved in recent toy recalls revealed an often slow and cumbersome process used by CPSC to coordinated toy recalls. Spandrel Sales & Marketing of Tempe, Arizona wrote to the subcommittee that it informed the CPSC on March 29 that some of the children’s jewelry it distributed had dangerous levels of lead. But it wasn’t until May 15, six weeks later, that the CPSC issued a recall.

Apparently, such delays are typical, as several other toy makers and retailers detailed similar experiences with the CPSC. Mattel wrote that before the CPSC would go public with news of its hazardous toys, the agency required the company to set up a recall hotline and take other elaborate measures before the public was finally warned. And Dollar General Corp., which issued a recall of lead-tainted key chains earlier this year, revealed that the company had informed the CPSC of even more hazardous key chains on the market on August 24.   As of yet, the CPSC has taken no action in that case.

The hearing ended with promises by members of Congress to support legislation that would increase both funding and authority for the CPSC.   But even if it is granted these additional tools, the CPSC will need to become far more aggressive than it has been in the past if American children are to be protected from dangerous imported toys.

CPSC Would Get More Power, Funding Under Proposed Legislation

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) might finally get some muscle if several US Senators get their way. Two lawmakers have introduced a bill that if passed would give the CPSC more tools to protect children from dangerous imported products.

The legislation comes amid calls for more restrictions on imports, especially those from China.   Throughout the past year, a seemingly-endless parade of products from that country have been recalled for dangerous defects. Most alarmingly, a large number of dangerous toys made in China have been recalled due to lead paint and other hazards. Toy giant Mattel, Inc. has been hit with some of the largest recalls. On August 1, its Fisher-Price division recalled millions of lead-tainted Dora the Explorer, Spongebob Squarepants and Sesame Street toys. That recall was quickly followed by two other recalls for more lead painted toys, and for toys that contained dangerous magnets that could cause intestinal injuries in children if swallowed.

The new legislation, sponsored by Senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), would provide more funding for a CPSC that has been crippled by budget cuts. Yesterday, during a Senate hearing on import safety, CPSC officials testified that the agency’s budget has declined by 15-percent in the past three years, and that it employs only one full-time toy inspector. CPSC acting chair Nancy Nord also told senators that the department’s testing facilities in Maryland ware so out-of date that some buildings were “not up to code”.

Legislation introduced by Pryor and Inouye would provide money to the CPSC to renovate its dilapidated facilities and hire 80 new employees.   Federal funding for the CPSC would increase to $80 million in 2009, up from the current level of $62.7 million. The CPSC would also receive annual automatic 10-percent budget increases through 2015.   And $20 million would be allocated to the CPSC to upgrade its testing labs.

The new law also would ban lead at any level in children’s products and require independent third party testing of all toy imports. And the bill provides for stiff penalties for companies caught violating safety standards. Those penalties include up to five years in jail for executives of companies that knowingly violate the law, and $250,000-per-violation fines.   State attorneys general would also be granted power to bring civil suits against violators under the new laws.

New legislation such as the bill proposed by Pryor and Inouye would be a vast improvement over current safety laws.   Right now, most safety standards are voluntary, and the CPSC must rely on toy manufactures to inform the agency of safety issues.   The largest penalty the CPSC may assess is under $2 million – pocket change to huge conglomerates like Mattel.   The CPSC also has no authority to bring criminal charges against company executives, even if it is proved that they knowingly put unsafe toys on the market.   Under current law, the CPSC is ill-equipped to protect children from dangerous toys, and any law that would provide the agency with more enforcement powers would be a welcome change.

Toy Recalls Could Mean Higher Prices Next Year

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The recent Mattel toy recalls and others like it have raised concerns over the safety of toys imported from China.   As a result, companies like Mattel and Toys ‘R’ Us have announced new inspection systems and other safeguards meant to calm consumer fears over defective toys.   But while these moves could make toys safer, they will come with a price – literally.

In the last decade or so, consumers have gotten used to rock bottom toy prices.   That’s because retailers like Wal-Mart put pressure on companies like Mattel to provide products at the lowest price possible. Mattel and other companies have looked to China, where labor and manufacturing costs are a fraction of what they would be in the US, in an effort to keep prices low. Under such pressure, it isn’t surprising that some Chinese manufacturers would cut corners by using substandard materials like lead paint on toys in order to meet US demands for low prices.

But this summer, the old adage “you get what you pay for” seems to have come true. Several toy makers, most notably, Mattel, have had to recall dangerous toys from China.   On August 1, Mattel’s Fisher-Price division recalled millions of toys for lead paint.   That recall was quickly followed by two more Mattel recalls for more lead painted toys, and for toys with dangerous magnets. Earlier this summer, the RC2 Corporation recalled Thomas & Friends trains for lead paint, and everything from Spongebob Squarepants notebooks and children’s jewelry have been recalled for dangerous magnets.

Now, Mattel and other companies are going to be scrutinizing the toys they import from China in an effort to avoid more embarrassing recalls. Mattel, Hasbro, Toys ‘R’ Us and Wal-Mart have all announced new screening systems that include more inspections and testing. These efforts will increase labor costs, and Chinese companies won’t be able to save money by using lead paint or cutting other corners.   So the price of toys, most analysts say, will be going up. They expect the price of a Barbie doll, for instance to spike from $6.99 to $7.70, and are forecasting most toy prices to increase about 10-percent.

But consumers likely won’t see these higher toy prices in time for holiday shopping. Mattel and other toy makers know that shoppers are already on edge because of toy safety, and they don’t want to alienate them further by increasing prices just yet. So for now, toy companies and retailers have indicated they will absorb increased costs themselves. But after the holidays, toy prices can be expected to climb.

Still, $2 added to the price of a Barbie doll seems like a small price to pay to ensure that a toy is safe. Analysts say most parents will willingly pay the higher prices if it means that they can be sure the toy they are buying won’t harm their child.

Mattel Apologizes For Toy Recall, As Senate Considers Giving CPSC More Authority

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The CEO of Mattel, Inc. apologized for recent toys recalls, and made a promise that the company would do everything in its power to insure its toys no longer pose a danger to children.   The apology came during Robert Eckert’s testimony before a Senate committee investigating a recent rash of toy recalls for lead paint and other hazards.   As a result of the recalls, Congress is considering changes to the way product safety is regulated that could include increasing both the funding and authority of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).

Since August 1, Mattel has issued three separate recalls for a total of 21 million toys because they contained either toxic lead paint or dangerous magnets that could cause intestinal injuries in children if swallowed. Robert Eckert was one of several toy industry executives appearing at the hearing.   “Oh behalf of Mattel, I apologize to each and every parent," Eckert said. “I can’t change the past, but I can change the way we do things.” Eckert testified that Mattel has already begun using a revamped toy safety inspection system that includes testing batches of paint at factories before they are used on toys, and inspecting finished toys before they are sent to stores.   Other toy executives also testified that they are increasing safety checks to find defective toys before they make it into the hands of children.   Gerald Storch, CEO of Toys ‘R’ Us, told the Senate committee that in addition to increasing inspections, the company was allowing customers to return recalled items to the store even if they were not purchased at Toys ‘R’ Us.

All of the toy industry representatives who appeared said that they favored greater funding for the CPSC, which has been crippled by personnel and budget cuts over the past several years. CPSC commissioner Thomas Moore testified that the agency’s budget has declined by 15-percent in the past three years, and that it employs only one full-time toy inspector. CPSC acting chair Nancy Nord testified that the department’s testing facility in Maryland was so out-of date that it is “not up to code”.

Congress is considering legislation to improve both funding and enforcement powers for the CPSC. In addition to upping its budget, some have proposed lifting the cap on fines the CPSC can assess companies for not reporting safety problems in a timely manner. Current law requires that companies report safety issues to the CPSC within 24 hours learning of them, but the maximum fine for violations is under $2 million. The CPSC recently opened an investigation into the timeliness of Mattel’s recalls, and the company has a history of delaying reports to the CPSC.

But while conceding that the CPSC needs more money and authority, some senators criticized the agency for not being aggressive enough when it comes to product safety.   They pointed to the problem of lead in children’s jewelry as an area where the CPSC has not done enough to protect children. Lead-tainted children’s jewelry and trinkets have caused serious lead poisoning in at least 7 children in the past 10 years, and was responsible for the death of a Minneapolis child last year. The CPSC has been trying for several years to eradicate lead in children’s jewelry, with no success. But only in the last few weeks has the agency actually proposed putting limits on lead in the jewelry.

“It’s not just a matter of providing more money to the agency, more staff at the agency, more and better laboratory buildings,” said Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill).   “There has to be an aggressive attitude at the agency about protecting families and consumers.”

CPSC, China Reach Import Safety Agreement

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

China and the US have announced a new import safety agreement that includes a pledge from the Chinese to eliminate the use of lead paint in toys it sends to this country.   Nancy Nord, acting chair of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), touted the agreement as a “beginning, not an end” and said it represented a new opportunity for Chinese and US agencies to cooperate on product safety.

The agreement also contains provisions allowing the CPSC and Chinese regulatory agencies to share product safety, design and recall information.   The new pact is in response to a recent wave of recalls in the US for defective products imported from China. Starting August 1, Mattel issued three separate recalls in just a 5-week span for Chinese-made toys that contained toxic lead paint or hazardous magnets. Other recalls have included poisonous pet foods, chemical-laced toothpaste, faulty tires and other dangerous toys.   The recalls have prompted calls for more regulation, if not an outright ban, of Chinese products.   The safety scares have also highlighted the limited power that the CPSC has when it comes to regulating imports.

Under the new import safety agreement, the CPSC will train Chinese safety inspectors. The CPSC said that such training will bring the Chinese up to speed on US safety regulations.   The agreement also prohibits the use of lead paint on toys meant for export to the US. Li Changjiang, China’s safety inspection chief, maintained that problems with lead painted toys stemmed in part from differing lead standards. International standards limits lead in toy coatings to only 90 milligrams per kilogram, while the U.S. standard allows 600 milligrams per kilogram. However, unlike the international standards, the US specifications apply to all of a toy’s components, not just its coating. Li said that China will work with the CPSC to develop a unifying lead standard. Li pledged that the new standards will be in place in time for the US holiday shopping season.

While Nord touted the pact as an opportunity to greatly improve import safety, she also acknowledged that the CPSC only regulates consumer goods, and that food and agricultural imports were not included in the agreement.   Those items, including melamine-tainted wheat gluten, pesticide-laced produce and contaminated seafood, also caused concerns over Chinese imports.   But the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture oversee those products, and both of those agencies are in separate talks with the Chinese. The FDA has also started to reorganize and streamline its food inspection systems, and a White House panel has been charged with making recommendations to improve import safety.

Today, the US Senate will hold hearings on the issue of toy safety. The hearings will focus on the CPSC’s ability to regulate imports, and it is expected to result in calls to increase that agency’s enforcement powers.

Import Safety Group Says US Inspection System Falling Behind, But Offers Few Specifics for Fixing Problems

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Federal agencies charged with protecting US consumers from dangerous products have not kept up with a rising tide of imports. As a result, the US inspection system is riddled with too many gaps that allow defective products into the country. Those conclusions came from the Interagency Working Group appointed by President Bush to investigate import safety.   The panel also said that inspecting imports at the border was not an effective way to keep unsafe goods from the US market, and recommended a more “risk based” approach for policing such products.

The Interagency Working Group on Import Safety was formed in July after Mattel, Inc. recalled millions of Chinese-made Fisher-Price toys that were manufactured with toxic lead paint.   Within five weeks of that recall, Mattel would issue two others for more lead-painted Chinese toys, as well as toys made with dangerous magnets that also came from that country.   The Mattel recalls had once again highlighted problems with Chinese imports. This year, toys, tires, toothpaste, pet foods and dozens of other Chinese products were recalled by various US government agencies for dangerous defects.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, who heads the panel, said that such recalls are warnings that the current US inspection systems are not keeping pace with a flood of imports.   This year, the value of imported goods to the US is expected to reach $2.2 trillion – double what it was in 2000.   But despite such increases, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspects less than 1-percent of imports under its oversight. And the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has only 100 inspectors nationwide to check the safety of all goods – including imports – under its jurisdiction.   It should come as no surprise that, given such numbers, unsafe imports keeping making their way to store shelves.

The Interagency Working Group said in its preliminary report that the US should stop focusing on catching defective imports at border entry ports – a losing proposition given the small numbers of investigators available to do such inspections. Rather, agencies like the FDA and CPSC should focus on determining what imports are most likely to have defects and focus inspection efforts on those areas. For instance, imported toys from China have been problematic, indicating a need for stronger inspections of those goods. The report also called on agencies to do a better job of sharing information with one another.

The report did not endorse many of the changes proposed by various members of Congress, such as consolidating food inspections under one agency or making it easier for the CPSC and FDA to order mandatory recalls. And the Interagency Working Group mentioned few concrete proposals on how its proposed changes to the US inspection system should be implemented, and it did not recommend any funding mechanisms for a new system.   But the Panel is expected to release a more detailed report in November, following a public meeting on import safety in October.   Critics of this preliminary report are hoping that the detailed version will provide more specific solutions to the problem of unsafe imports.

Disney To Start Testing Toys Following Mattel Recalls

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The Disney Corporation, disturbed that its name could be sullied by a toy recall similar to the three Mattel Inc. issued this past month, has decided to start conducting its own tests of toys featuring Disney characters. Two other companies, Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon, have also said that they will start testing toys based on their trademark characters.

Disney’s new testing initiative is a big change in the way most licensing companies do business. Traditionally, a company like Disney would allow Mattel and other manufacturers to sell toys based on popular characters for a fee, known as a royalty. The manufacturer is usually responsible for quality control, and it is also the manufacture that is liable for injuries caused by a defective toy. But Disney is extremely protective of its reputation, and obviously fears that its name could be damaged by this year’s endless parade of toy recalls.

Disney said it made the decision to start conducting its own tests of toys featuring Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and other popular characters last week. The decision came shortly after the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced what was the third recall of lead-tainted Mattel toys in a five week period. In August, Mattel had issued two other recalls for toys with lead paint and dangerous magnets.   Among the toys recalled for lead paint were die cast cars based on a character from the Disney movie “Cars”.

Saying that it wants toy manufactures to “know that we’re looking over their shoulders”, Disney said the tests will begin within two weeks.   How extensive those tests will be is unclear.   Right now, Disney characters can be found on 65,000 toys made by 2,000 different companies. Disney has indicated that it will test the biggest selling toys most frequently, and that all Disney toys and jewelry sold at stores like Wal-mart and KB Toys will be subject to random testing.

Two other marketers, Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop have also said they would be testing toys featuring their characters as well. Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants, along with Sesame Workshop’s Elmo and Big Bird were featured on toys recalled by Mattel’s Fisher-Price division on August 1. Even retailer Toy ‘R’ Us no longer trusts toy manufacturers, and has announced that it will be doing random tests of all products sold in its stores.

Toy safety has received a great deal of attention this year. In addition to Mattel’s three recalls, the RC2 company recalled more than 1 million Thomas and Friends toy trains for a lead hazard in June. Children’s jewelry and character notebooks have also been recalled for the same reason. Exposure to lead can cause brain damage and other problems in young children, and the US all but banned the toxin from toys nearly 30 years ago. But more and more toy manufacturers have moved their operations to China, where most of the recalled toys originated.   These factories are not subject to the same levels of inspection US operations would have to undergo. Because of this, millions of lead-tainted toys have made their way into the US, exposing an unknown number of children to this dangerous poison.

Could Toy Recalls Become the Grinch That Steals Christmas?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

More toy recalls could be on the horizon – just in time for the holiday shopping season. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is currently conducting several investigations into defective toys, and it’s a good bet that at least some of these probes will result in further recalls of dangerous toys. That’s not good news for parents gearing up to play Santa Claus, who will no doubt be worried that the toys under the tree this year could seriously hurt their children.

This year it has seemed as though toy recalls have occurred at an almost weekly rate. Mattel – perhaps the most trusted toy maker in the business – has issued three separate recalls since August 1. The latest involved 11 different toys – including Barbie accessories – that had high levels of lead. Back on August 15, Mattel recalled nearly 10 million dangerous toys, some for lead and others because they contained magnets that could come loose and cause intestinal injuries if children swallowed them. August started with Mattel’s Fisher-Price Division recalling over a 1 million Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street and other preschool toys for lead paint.

Of course, Mattel hasn’t been the only manufacturer to issue toy recalls this year. Last week, Toys ‘R’ Us recalled coloring kits because of hazardous amounts of lead. Last month, lead paint also caused the recall of Curious George and Thomas and Friends toys sold by Schylling Associates, Inc. In June, RC2 had to recall more than 1 million of its Thomas and Friends trains for the same reason. The mounting number of recalls has a lot of caregivers worried, and more recalls could mean a big hit on holiday sales.

But more toy recalls are not out of the question. All of the toys recalled this summer were made in China – a country that has developed a questionable manufacturing reputation. Tires, toothpaste, dog food and other children’s toys were just a few of the Chinese products recalled for defects or contamination in the past several months. Many analysts say the fast-growing and unregulated Chinese economy has created an environment that encourages cheap and shoddy manufacturing. And they say that US companies contribute to the problem, by demanding that Chinese factories produce goods as cheaply as possible.

The fact that a reputable company like Mattel could still end up distributing dangerous Chinese toys is evidence that the problems in China are deep rooted. Mattel holds it subcontractors to strict guidelines regarding production, treatment of workers and workplace conditions. For instance, Mattel’s subcontractors are required to purchase paint from certain certified suppliers. In the case of the subcontractors that manufactured some of the recalled toys, this rule was not followed. Mattel said that it is working to find out why.

China has taken steps in the last few weeks to improve its manufacturing image, and it recently implemented its own recall laws. And companies like Mattel are developing new inspection systems that they hope will keep hazardous toys off the market. But no one knows if these safety improvements will end the seeming-endless parade of toy recalls in time for holiday shopping.

Mattel Toy Recall Expanded A Third Time to Include Barbie, Other Toys Made With Toxic Lead Paint

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Mattel has announced another toy recall, sending already worried parents on yet another scavenger hunt for more hazardous toys.   Last night, the company revealed that it had discovered that another 840,000 of its Chinese-made toys contained excessive amounts of lead.   This latest toy recall includes three different toys made by Mattel’s Fisher-Price Unit, and eight from its extremely popular Barbie line. This is the third toy recall that Mattel has issued in five weeks.

Mattel said that all of the recalled toys were made at different Chinese factories. Mattel recently discovered that the factories had used uncertified paint that contained high levels of lead on the toys. Mattel’s agreements with overseas contractors stipulate that the factories procure paint only from Mattel-certified suppliers. However, it seems that Mattel’s paint specifications are often ignored by the Chinese contractors. On August 1, Fisher-Price recalled 1.5 million Chinese-made infant and preschool toys due to a lead paint hazard. Two weeks later, Mattel issued another massive recall for 19 million toys, 400,000 of which were recalled for unsafe lead levels. Mattel said that the Chinese factories responsible for those toxic toys had also used uncertified paint. When Mattel issued the second round of recalls, Chief Executive Robert Eckert had said that the company could not guarantee that the August 15 action would be the last. Sadly, it seems that this statement was prophetic.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 500,000 of the recalled Mattel toys were shipped to stores in the U.S. starting in August 2006.   The recalled toys included 90,000 Geo Trax Special Track Pack and Geo Trax Freightway Transport locomotive toys manufactured between July 31, 2006 and August 20, 2006.   Fisher-Price is also recalling 8,900 Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys. These toys were sold nationwide between July and August 2007.

But by far, the largest component of this week’s Mattel toy recall includes 675,000 Barbie accessory sets. Barbie is Mattel’s largest and best known brand. These recalled toys include the Barbie Dream Puppy House Play Set; Barbie Kitty Condo Play Set; Barbie Table and Chairs Kitchen Play Set; Barbie Bathtub and Toilet Play Set; Barbie Futon and Table Living Room Play Set; Barbie Desk and Chair Bedroom Play Set; and Barbie Couch and Table Living Room Play Set. All of the accessory sets were sold at retail stores between October 2006 and August 2007. No actual Barbie dolls are included in the recall.

Though the Mattel recalls have garnered the company much notoriety in the past month, Mattel is not the only company that has had problems with Chinese-made toys. In June, RC2 recalled 1.5 million Thomas & Friends toy train sets because of excessive lead.   And two weeks ago, several companies recalled a total of 340,000 imported Spongebob Squarepants and Curious George toys for the same reason.   China produces 80-percent of the toys made in the US, and most experts do not believe that the toy recalls will end with Mattel’s.   With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, that is not news any parent will find comforting.

Mattel Magnetic Toy Set Recall: Company Has History of Ignoring Product Safety Disclosure Laws. Did It Do So Again?

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Mattel, Inc., the toy-giant responsible for recalling over 10 million toys this summer, doesn’t like US laws that dictate when and how a company should report product safety issues to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).   So, it just doesn’t follow the statutes. According to the Wall Street Journal, Mattel has been fined repeatedly by the CPSC for violating reporting statutes. Now, questions have arisen regarding the way Mattel handled this summer’s recall of dangerous magnetic toy sets, prompting a CPSC investigation into that recall timeline

The law governing recalls says that a manufacturer must inform the CPSC of potentially hazardous products within 24 hours of first hearing of problems.   But Mattel’s Chief Executive Robert Eckert told the Wall Street Journal that the law is “unreasonable”. And regardless of what the law says, Mattel has chosen on several occasions to conduct its own evaluations of possible hazards. As a result, Mattel often does not inform the CPSC of hazardous toys for months, thereby exposing millions of children to possible harm.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Mattel has been ignoring safety notification laws for at least a decade.   In 1998, the company recalled its popular motorized Power Wheels cars for a fire hazard. The CPSC had 150 reports of fires caused by the cars, as well as reports of electrical components overheating or short-circuiting. The CPSC said that Mattel knew of the problems with Power Wheels for years, but did nothing. As a result, the CPSC fined Mattel $1.1 million for failing to notify the agency of the fire hazards in a timely manner. Mattel paid the fine, but to this day, the company refuses to admit that the toy vehicles were dangerous.

The Power Wheels fine did not keep Mattel from further violations of the law. In the fall of 2002, Mattel began getting reports that screws used on its Little People Sounds Farm could come loose and pose a choking hazard to children. According to the Wall Street Journal, one case involved a toddler who had inhaled a screw, which punctured a lung. Despite such reports, Mattel didn’t bother to inform the CPSC until March of 2003. Because of its late disclosure, the CPSC again fined Mattel $975,000. Again, Mattel paid the fine, but insisted it had done nothing wrong.

Now, Mattel is under scrutiny for the way it handled a recall of dangerous magnetic toy sets this summer. If swallowed, the magnets on these toys could cause serious intestinal injuries. Last November, Mattel recalled 2 million Polly Pocket toys because of the magnet hazard. But according to the Wall Street Journal, Mattel received 400 more reports of problems with magnets in other toy lines in the eight month period following the November recall. Now, the CPSC wants to know how long Mattel knew of other magnet hazards before it let the agency know.

But even if the CPSC concludes that Mattel did delay informing the agency of problems with its magnetic toys, there is little the CPSC can do to chastise the company.   The stiffest penalty available to the CPSC is the imposition of monetary fines. But those fines are capped at under $2 million – pocket change for a company like Mattel that racks up millions of dollars in sales each day. For Mattel and other corporations, such paltry fines are simply the cost of doing business. It is little wonder that big companies like Mattel have nothing but contempt for the CPSC and recall laws. Unless something is done to give the CPSC more power, it is likely that defective toys will continue to threaten American children.

After Mattel Toy Recall, China Attempts to Improve Manufacturing Laws

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Defective Mattel toys, tainted dog food and other dangerous Chinese imports have sullied that country’s manufacturing reputation. In response to international concerns over its imports, the Chinese government has adopted new toy and food recall laws that go into effect today.   The government is hoping that these new legislative initiatives will rehabilitate the country’s image.

The new rules will require Chinese companies that make defective toys and food to cease production and sales until manufacturing issues are resolved. The manufacturers must then notify stores and customers of defective products, and issue replacements or refunds. The food laws establish three levels of severity and a timeline in which action must be taken against defective items.   The new laws will be enforced by the Chinese Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Multiple recalls of hazardous Chinese products have caused consumers in the US and elsewhere to lose faith in the “made in China” label. On August 1, more than 1 million Chinese-made Fisher-Price toys were recalled because they contained lead paint.   Two weeks later, Fisher-Price’s parent company, Mattel, ordered a recall of nearly 10 million more defective Chinese toys. This time, the toys contained dangerous magnets, as well as lead paint.   Thomas the Tank Engine toy trains, Spongebob Squarepants notebooks and children’s jewelry are just a few of the Chinese goods meant for children that were found to be dangerous.

Food from China has also been problematic.   In late June, the Food & Drug Administration banned imports of farm-raised seafood from China after finding chemical and antibiotic contamination.   Earlier this year, a pet food ingredient from China that was tainted with the pesticide melamine killed several animals in the US.

Yet, despite its efforts to improve its own safety standards, some Chinese officials contend that American companies like Mattel shoulder some of the responsibility for the recent product recalls. In the wake of the Mattel recall, Li Zhuoming, executive vice chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Toy Industry Association, told the state-run Guangzhou Daily newspaper that Chinese factories have very low profit margins, in part because buyers like Mattel want inexpensive products. When foreign companies demand unrealistically cheap goods, they might get poor quality products from the Chinese factories. Other Chinese officials said that Mattel’s faulty designs, not shoddy manufacturing, were responsible for some of its recalls.

Though such comments are obvious attempts by Chinese officials to salvage their country’s manufacturing image, these arguments are not without merit. According to an article in Forbes magazine, if adjusted for inflation, toy prices are actually lower than they were 40 years ago. In order to keep prices low and profits high, toymakers like Mattel sent much of their manufacturing to China, where labor costs are a fifth of what they would be in US factories. Whether new laws and other policies by the Chinese government to address this situation will change that environment remains to be seen.

Mattel Toy Recall Causes CPSC to Face Senate Scrutiny

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This month’s Mattel Toy Recall was unsettling news for American consumers, as it became apparent that thousands of children were exposed to the toxic lead paint and dangerous magnets used in the recalled Mattel toys. The Mattel toy recall has sparked consumers and even the Senate to take a closer look at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and whether or not the resources needed to prevent these dangerous products from hitting the shelves are available to the safety group. Today, a Senate committee will attempt to answer that question at a hearing to investigate the recent Mattel recall scandals.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government affairs will be hearing from officials at the CPSC and other consumer advocates about what more should be done to insure that children’s toys and clothing are safe from hazards. This month, Mattel issued two separate recalls for millions of toys that contained hazardous magnets and lead paint. But Mattel was far from the only company to issue toy recalls this year. Last week, children’s jewelry and Spongebob Squarepants notebooks and journals were recalled for a lead paint hazard. And earlier this year, the RC2 Company recalled millions of Thomas the Tank Engine toy trains for the same reason. All of the recalled toys were imported from China.

The committee is expected to take a hard look at the CPSC to see if it has enough authority, budget and staff to effectively do its job. The CPSC is an independent government agency that is charged with overseeing product safety. But as the number of both imported and domestically-produced goods has exploded, the CPSC has seen both its staff and budget shrink. In the last two decades, the CPSC staff has dwindled from 900 to 400, and its budget stands at only $62 million annually. Only 15 CPSC inspectors monitor imports at US ports, where millions of toys enter the country. What’s more, the CPSC has fewer than 100 inspectors nationwide to monitor store shelves for defective items. And because it has little enforcement power, the CPSC has to rely on profit-driven corporations to police themselves. Surprisingly, it is usually manufacturers like Mattel that inform the CPSC of the need for a recall, not the other way around. And though the CPSC can impose fines on companies who willfully unleash defective products on American consumers, those fines are capped at under $2 million – pocket change for corporations that rack up millions of dollars in sales each day.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), the ranking Republican on the committee, said in a statement that the toy recalls suggest that not enough is being done to make sure that items are safe before they reach stores. “We will examine whether new legislation is needed to protect children from hazardous toys and clothing,” said Collins. The Senator said that committee could end up recommending tougher laws on standards and testing for these products. With only the CPSC standing between American children and dangerous toys, many consumer advocates are hoping that the

Mattel Toy Recall Increases Calls for Greater Scrutiny of Chinese Imports

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

In the wake of the Mattel toy recall, two US senators are asking the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to begin a “detain and test” program for all toys imported from China. All of the toys recalled by Mattel were imported from China, as were many toys involved in other recalls this year.

On August 15, Mattel recalled more than 9 million toys for magnet and lead paint hazards. The recall applied to Polly Pocket, Barbie, Batman and Doggie Day Care toys that contained small magnets that can cause serious injury to children if swallowed. When more than one of the powerful magnet is swallowed, they can become attracted to each other through the walls of the intestinal track, causing intestinal perforations, obstructions and other dangerous injuries. On the same day, the company recalled 253,000 die cast metal toy cars because they were made with lead paint. It was Mattel’s second such recall in as many weeks. On August 1, Fisher-Price, a division of Mattel, recalled more than a million toys for a lead paint hazard.   All of the recalled toys were made in China.

Other toys made in China have also been recalled. Just last week, children’s jewelry and Spongebob Squarepants notebooks and journals were recalled for a lead paint hazard. Earlier this year, the RC2 Company recalled millions of Chinese Thomas the Tank Engine toy trains for the same reason

And recalls of Chinese products have not been limited to toys. Tires, pet food, toothpaste and seafood from that country have all been found to be defective. In recent months, the Chinese government has passed new laws and cracked down on factories in an effort to improve its manufacturing reputation.   But most experts agree that it could be years before the Chinese are able to implement an effective manufacturing inspection and safety system.

Unwilling to wait for the Chinese to deal with their manufacturing issues, Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) have urged the CPSC to launch an inspection program against dangerous toys in time for the holiday shopping season. At a news conference yesterday, Senator Durbin said such a program would help restore the confidence of American parents that toys are safe. “A family going inside a toy store shouldn’t have to play Chinese roulette to try to guess what toys are safe for their kids,” Durbin insisted.

The recent parade of toy recalls has brought calls for more inspections from several members of congress. Many have expressed concern that the CPSC does not have the resources to police the toy industry.   In the last two decades, the CPSC staff has dwindled from 900 to 400, and its budget stands at only $62 million annually.   Durbin, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, said that congress could take legislative action to strengthen the CPSC. He said congress would soon discuss increasing the Commission’s budget and mandating comprehensive toy inspections.

China Points Finger At Mattel For Toy Recall

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

China again attempted to deflect blame onto Mattel for the recent toy recalls that have worsened the country’s already-questionable manufacturing reputation. An official from China’s General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine defended the country’s manufacturers, saying that faulty American designs and were responsible for the toy recalls.

On August 1, Mattel recalled millions of toys made in China. That recall included 9 million magnetic play sets where the small magnets could come loose and cause serious intestinal injuries in children if swallowed. The same action also recalled 436,000 die-cast toy cars from Mattel’s “Cars” line because paint used on the toys contained excessive amounts of lead. Earlier this month, Mattel’s Fisher-Price division recalled more than a million toys because they were also made with lead paint. That recall encompassed more than 80 different toys and toy sets, and included toys based on characters from popular TV shows like Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants.

Li Changjiang, director of the Chinese agency, insisted that most of the blame for the toy recall rested with Mattel. “About 85 percent were directly designed by the American company,” Li said, “and produced according to requirements of the American importer.” Li alleged that serious design flaws are what made most of the toys dangerous, not the methods that Chinese factories used to make the toys. Li also said that the number of toys involved in the recall were only a tiny fraction of the estimated 22 billion toys made in China each year. That, Li insisted, was further proof that Mattel’s designs, and not manufacturing practices, had made the toys dangerous.

Critics of US companies have also said that corporations like Mattel bear some of the blame for recalls of imported goods. Most companies choose to have products made in China because manufacturing costs are a fifth of what they would be in the US. According to an article in Forbes magazine, if adjusted for inflation, toy prices are actually lower than they were 40 years ago. In order to keep profits high, Mattel and others pressure Chinese factories to produce goods as cheaply as possible. It is not surprising that many Chinese producers meet such demands by using substandard components and cutting other corners.

Li’s comments were the latest Chinese effort to restore confidence in the “Made in China” label. In the past several months, pet food, tires, toothpaste and even fresh ginger imported from China have been recalled due to dangerous defects. In other countries, Chinese-made medicine and clothing have also proven defective. As a result of the bad publicity, China has been working feverishly to rehabilitate its soiled reputation. This month, the country’s Cabinet took several steps to improve China’s safety regulations. The government has also closed several manufacturing plants that made shoddy goods, and arrested many individuals for their role in the recall scandals.

Recalled Toys Sold on eBay Expose More Children to Serious Injury

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Toy recalls, like those issued by Mattel and Fisher-Price this month, are meant to get hazardous products away from children.   But a recent study shows that recalls don’t always do that.   An article in this month’s Injury Journal says that only 20-percent of recalled children’s products are ever returned to their manufacturers.   What’s worse is that many of these dangerous toys and other items end up being resold on eBay or at garage sales and thrift shops. As a result, toys with dangerous magnets and lead paint, along with other defective items, can end up endangering even more children.

The Injury Journal article highlights a study done by the Center for Industry Research and Policy at Columbus Children’s Hospital. The researchers chose 141 children’s products that had been recalled between 1992 and 2004 and searched for them on eBay. The items included bassinets, walkers, furniture and riding toys. The researchers discovered recalled items for sale in 190 different auctions. At least one of the items found on eBay, the Evenflo Happy Camper and Happy Cabana portable play yard, had been implicated in the deaths of three children when it was recalled in 1997. The researchers also found that most of the recalled products received multiple bids, indicating that bidders were not aware of recalls. And nearly 70 percent of the items were sold, putting many more children at risk for injury.

EBay does have a policy that prohibits recalled items, but the onus for identifying such products is usually placed on buyers and sellers.   The site’s “security and resolution” page has a link to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) recall website, and both sellers and buyers are encouraged by eBay to check the CPSC site. EBay also takes down auctions if the CPSC informs the company that an item up for bid has been recalled. And the CPSC says that it has worked with eBay to create filters that reduce the chance of a recalled item being sold on the site.

But despite those precautions, recalled children’s toys are being sold on eBay, and it’s a safe bet that those products show up at garage sales and thrift stores as well.   The authors of the Injury Journal study say that more needs to be done to make people aware of recalls.   With so many children’s products being recalled every year, consumers can barely keep up. Parents and caregivers should sign up for the CPSC’s email alerts, and manufactures should start putting identifying information, like model numbers, on items themselves. Currently, that information is usually placed on packaging, which is often thrown away. The study authors also say that manufacturers should change the names of recalled products after they have been redesigned.   That way, anyone buying a used children’s toy or other item could easily discover if it had been recalled.

Mattel Faces Lawsuit Over Lead Tainted Toys

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Mattel, Inc. is facing the first of what could be many lawsuits stemming from this month’s massive toy recall. The class action lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, is seeking money from the company in order to facilitate the testing of thousands of children for possible lead exposure.

Last week, Mattel recalled 436,000 die-cast toy cars from its “Cars” line because paint used on the toys contained excessive amounts of lead. That toy recall was part of a larger action taken by Mattel that included 9 million magnetic play sets. The play sets were recalled because the small magnets could come loose and cause serious intestinal injuries in children if they were swallowed.

This latest lead paint recall came on the heels of another such action by Mattel’s Fisher-Price division on August 1.   At that time, Fisher-Price recalled more than a million toys because they were also made with lead paint. That recall encompassed more than 80 different toys and toy sets, and included toys based on characters from popular TV shows like Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants.

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious health problems. Under current regulations, children’s products with more than 0.6 percent lead accessible to the user are subject to recall. Lead exposure is especially dangerous for children because they are still growing, and their brains are developing.   If lead is ingested, it can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and even death. Symptoms of lead poisoning include irritability; loss of appetite; weight loss; sluggishness; abdominal pain; vomiting; constipation and pallor from anemia. However, there are often no signs that a child has been exposed to lead, and a blood test is often the only way to detect lead exposure. The large number of lead-painted toys that Mattel recalled could have exposed hundreds of thousands of small children to the toxic metal.

Mattel is only one of several companies to issue recalls of lead painted toys. Earlier this year, the RC2 company recalled millions of Thomas the Tanks Engine toys because they were made with lead paint. Lead paint has also been a problem in children’s jewelry. Earlier this month, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that such lead-tainted jewelry and trinkets were still being found on store shelves, despite a two-year effort by the commission to eradicate the problem.

To date, all of the lead painted toys have been made in China, which produces 80 percent of the toys sold in the US. Chinese manufacturers face tremendous pressure to produce goods at low cost, causing many to cut corners and employ shoddy manufacturing techniques. Lead paint is cheap and durable, making it an attractive choice for unscrupulous manufacturers.   China does nothave an effective system for inspecting manufactured goods, making it easy for lead-painted toys to slip into the US. Recently, China has made an effort to crack down on tainted products, but it could be years before the country has a strong system of inspections.

Dangerous Mattel Magnetic Toy Sets Found By Chinese Inspectors Months Before Recall

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

As parents across the country scoured toy boxes for dangerous magnetic toy sets recalled by Mattel on Tuesday, reports surfaced that Chinese officials had known of problems with the magnets long before the recall. Meanwhile, the world’s second largest toymaker announced that it would step up its own inspection efforts to insure that its Chinese-made products are safe.

Yesterday, the Reuters news agency reported that an unidentified Chinese official with the China Toy Association had claimed that inspectors in that country had found problems with magnetic toy sets as early as March, but never told Mattel. Mattel recalled 19.7 million toys -- 9 million in the US alone -- because magnets embedded in the toys where prone to come loose. If swallowed, the powerful magnets can cause serious intestinal injuries. It was the company’s second such recall for dangerous magnetic play sets since 2006.

The China Toy Association is supposed to meet with government inspectors this week to discuss solutions for the kind of shoddy manufacturing that allows dangerous toys to reach children. But officials there concede that it could be years before an adequate inspection system is in place.

The China Chamber of Commerce said that is also trying to find ways to improve the country’s manufacturing practices. On Thursday, it appealed to manufacturing companies not to accept orders that are “too big or too cheap” as a way to improve quality.

Meanwhile, Hasbro, the number two toy company behind Mattel, announced that it was revising its system for inspecting Chinese-made toys in an effort to insure safety. A large number of the company’s toys, including the popular Transformers and Star Wars lines, are made by Chinese subcontractors. A spokesperson for Hasbro told Reuters that the company has always had a large number of employees in China to monitor the factories where its toys are made. Hasbro said that all of its toys will now be tested for lead paint before, during and after production. The company said it will step up random inspections as well.

Hasbro that its new system to check for lead paint will be similar to the “three point” plan the Mattel said it would be using. In addition to the magnetic play sets, Mattel’s August 14 recall included more than 200,000 die cast metal toy cars that had high levels of lead. Just two weeks prior to that action, Mattel’s Fisher-Price division recalled more than 1 million toys for a lead hazard. Mattel said that it would now require each batch of paint at every vendor to be tested prior to use. It will also test every toy production run, and Mattel will also initiate random checks. Both Hasbro and Mattel are hoping to restore confidence in Chinese toys before the start of the holiday shopping season. China makes 80-percent of the toys sold in the US.

On Thursday, the Chinese General Administration of Quality, Inspection and Quarantine announced it would be meeting with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission next month. The administration’s website said that the talks would look for ways to improve cooperation between the toy industry in both countries. The announcement did not include a specific date for the talks.

Mattel Magnetic Toy Recall Sparks Call for New Inspections

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

In the wake of yesterday’s massive Mattel Magnetic toy recall, a US Senator has called for voluntary inspections of all imported toys from China before they can ever reach children. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill) has requested a meeting with US toy manufacturers to urge them to submit all Chinese imports to such an inspection regime.

In a statement released yesterday, Durbin said “We can’t wait any longer for China to crack down on its lax safety standards. This needs to stop now before more children and more families are put at risk.” The statement asks toy makers and retailers to voluntarily cooperate with an inspection program that would target Chinese manufactured products.

Yesterday, Mattel recalled more than 9 million Chinese-made toys for magnet and lead paint hazards. The recall applied to Polly Pocket, Barbie, Batman and Doggie Day Care toys that contained small magnets that can cause serious injury to children if swallowed. When more than one of the powerful magnet is swallowed, they can become attracted to each other through the walls of the intestinal track, causing intestinal perforations, obstructions and other dangerous injuries. A complete list of all of the recalled Mattel toys can be found here.

On the same day, the company recalled 253,000 die cast metal toy cars because they were made with lead paint. It was Mattel’s second such recall in as many weeks. On August 1, Fisher-Price, a division of Mattel, recalled more than a million toys for a lead paint hazard.   All of those toys were also made in China.

In light of these recalls, Durbin said he believes that all children’s products from China should be detained and inspected before they make it into stores. Durbin has sponsored several bills in the Senate that would take a stronger stand on all imports. One would subject all Chinese imports to mandatory inspections, and the other would grant stronger enforcement authority to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. But Durbin said that the danger posed by hazardous toys to children is too serious to wait for either measure to be approved and implemented. That is why he has called on toy manufactures to act.

For its part, Mattel took out full page ads in newspapers across the country on Tuesday apologizing to consumers for the recall debacle.   At a news conference yesterday, Mattel CEO Bob Eckert said that he could not guarantee that yesterday's action would be the last of the recalls. But he tried to assure anxious consumers, saying that “Every production batch is being tested, and we’ll continue to enforce the highest quality standards in the industry.”

Mattel is known for enforcing high standards on its foreign contractors in everything from product safety to working conditions. That is what is so disturbing about the company’s recent recalls. If Mattel toys can contain hazards as dangerous as lead paint, then other companies’ toys are suspect as well.   That sad fact has millions of parents looking at their children’s toy chests with new suspicion.

Mattel Recalls Polly Pocket, Barbie and Other Toys for Lead Paint and Magnet Hazards

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Mattel, Inc. announced a massive recall today of magnet play sets and die cast cars. It is the second recall by the toy giant in as many weeks. On August 1, Mattel’s issued a Fisher-Price recall that impacted more than 1 million toys for a lead paint hazard. But this latest Mattel recall is much larger, and covers millions of toys. It also includes very popular Mattel lines such as Barbie and Polly Pocket toys. A complete list of the toys affected by the Mattel and Fisher Price recall Click Here.

Magnetic toy sets make up the largest portion of this recall. Mattel is recalling 7.3 million Polly Pocket Play Sets; 1 million Doggie Day Care Play Sets; 683,000 Barbie and Tanner Play Sets; and 345,000 Batman and One Piece Action Figures because magnets on the toys can come loose. If swallowed, these magnets can pose a serious hazard to children.   According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall notice, the magnets measure 1/8 of an inch in diameter and are embedded in the hands and feet, plastic clothing and accessories of the toys. If more than one is ingested, the powerful magnets can attract each other in the intestinal tract. This can cause the intestines to twist, and can lead to bowel obstructions, intestinal perforations and other serious injuries.

This is not the first time Mattel has recalled magnet toys for this hazard. In November 2006, the company issued a recall of 2.4 million other Polly Pocket Play Sets for the same reason. According to the CPSC recall notice, Mattel has had more than 400 reports of magnets coming out of the recalled toys. No injuries involving toys from this recall have been reported. But prior to the 2006 recall, the CPSC had three reports of serious injuries caused by magnets from Polly Pocket toys.   All three of those children suffered intestinal perforations and had to undergo surgery.

In addition to the magnet toy recall, Mattel is also recalling 253,000 “Sarge” die cast toy cars for lead paint contamination. Sarge is a character from the popular Disney movie “Cars”.   The toys, which were manufactured in China, contain lead levels in excess of what is permitted by law. According to the CPSC recall notice, lead is hazardous when ingested by young children. Exposure to lead can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities and other health problems. This is the second time in two weeks that Mattel has recalled toys for a lead hazard. On August 1, its Fisher-Price unit recalled more than a million toys for high levels of lead. Those toys were also made in China.

Parents and caregivers should check to see if they have any of the recalled Mattel and Fisher Price toys. The recalled Mattel toys should be taken away from children immediately.   Consumers can contact Mattel to receive a voucher for a replacement toy of equal value. This step by Mattel may prove to be too little to late for children that end up in the hospital and/or in surgery due to the recalled toys.

Magnetic Toys Sets Top CPSC List of Household Hazards

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Magnets, like those found in Magnetix Toy Sets are the number one hazard on the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) list of “Top Five Hidden Home Hazards.” The CPSC released the list last week in an attempt to educate the public about potential dangers at home. In addition to magnetic toy sets, the other hazards that made the CPSC list include recalled products, furniture tip-overs, windows and coverings, and pool and spas drains.

Since 2005, the CPSC has had reports of 86 injuries and 1 death related to magnetic toy sets. In all of the cases, children had swallowed magnets from toys sets like the popular Magnetix product. The magnetic toy sets are composed of small, colorful plastics rods with powerful micromagnets at each end. Often these magnets will come loose from the toy. While the magnets are too small to pose a choking hazard, they cause a much more dangerous – and hard to detect- injury. Because the magnets in the toy sets are so strong, if a child swallows more than one, they can attract to each other between the intestinal walls. This often causes intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death. Unfortunately, symptoms can mimic other gastrointestinal illnesses, so children may not receive treatment in a timely manner. The only way to remove the magnets is through surgery. Since 2005, the CPSC has recalled about 8 million magnetic toy sets.

Recalled products in general were the second household hazard on the CPSC list. While the CPSC said that the agency is very good at getting recalled products off of store shelves, it concedes that getting recalled items out of homes is not always easy. The CPSC recommends that consumers sign up for its free email service at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx which will inform them of CPSC recalls as they happen.

Furniture tip-overs and windows and coverings were the third and fourth hazards on the CPSC list. Furniture tip-overs result in 22 deaths and 3,000 injuries each year. Even ranges and TVs can fall onto young children. The CPSC recommends that families with children should anchor freestanding furniture to a wall or floor to keep it from tipping. Ranges and stoves should always be installed with anti-tip brackets.

Twelve children die each year when they become entangled in window drapery and blind cords, and 9 die as a result of falls from windows. The CPSC recommends cutting looped cords from blinds and installing a safety tassel at the end of the cord. Children’s beds, cribs or playpens should never be placed within the reach of a window blind. Windows should be outfitted with guards or stops to prevent children from falling out.

The fifth hazard on the CPSC list, pool and spa drains, can cause the most gruesome injuries. Broken drain covers are usually the cause of this hazard. Often, suction from the drain can be so powerful that it can hold a child under water. The body can become sealed against the drain, or hair can be entangled. In June, a six-year-old Minneapolis girl had a section of her intestinal track ripped out by a powerful pool drain. The CPSC recommends that pool and spa owners install a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) that detects when a drain is blocked and shuts off the pool pump. Prior to using a pool, it is important to check that drain covers are intact and in place.

Magnetix Building Set Toy Still in Stores Despite Injuring Hundreds of Children

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Magnetix Building Sets, a popular toy that can cause gruesome, and sometimes fatal, injuries to children who swallow the magnets, are still being sold. These dangerous magnetic toys are still on store shelves even after two Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls, a fact that has led many to question the commitment of the toy’s maker, MEGA Brands, to product safety.

Magnetix Building Sets were first marketed in 2003 by Rose Art Industries of Livingston, New Jersey. MEGA Brands acquired Rose Art in 2006 and continued to sell Magnetix. The building sets are composed of small, colorful plastics rods with powerful micromagnets at each end. When children join the rods together at the magnet ends, they can build just about anything. The toy has been a top seller almost from the time it first came on the market.

Unfortunately, the housing around the magnets did not always hold up, and the magnets often came loose. As early as 2003, reports started to come into the CPSC of children who had been seriously injured after they swallowed the loose magnets. Because the tiny magnets are so strong, if a victim swallowed more than one magnet, the objects would be attracted to each other while in the intestinal tract. As a result, the magnets would clump together, causing the intestines to twist. This often led to intestinal blockages, bowel perforations and even death. By the time the CPSC issued its first Magnetix recall in 2006, it had received 34 reports of injuries related to the toy. One of them involved a 20-month old child who died as the result of an intestinal blockage. The recall was only aimed at toys purchased for children under the age of 6. MEGA Brands continued to sell the product, but with a new label warning about the swallowing hazard.

In April 2007, the CPSC expanded the recall to include all Magnetix sets sold before March 2006. By then, injury reports had reached 1,500. The commission had also received reports that even older children were swallowing the magnets – usually on a dare – and being injured. According to a recent New York Times article, MEGA Brands has not been cooperative in getting its products away from children. Even as the two recalls were in effect, the company was slow to answer the CPSC's requests for information. Records show that the company violated the terms of the recall and as a result, dangerous toys were allowed to remain on store shelves long after they were recalled. A spokesperson for MEGA Brands even told the New York Times that the company has no idea how many Magnetix sets were sold prior to the recalls, although they estimate that the number is in the millions. As a result, it is unknown how many defective sets are still out there.

MEGA Brands continues to market Magnetix toys, saying that it has redesigned the product to insure that the magnets do not come loose. The company contends that the problem with the toy is a small-parts issue, and has included labeling warning that the building sets should not be given to children under six. Considering that sales of Magnetix netted the company $100 million dollars in revenue last year, it is not surprising that MEGA Brands has resisted calls to discontinue the sale of this dangerous toy.

Magnetic toys recalled after injuries

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A recall of Magnetix building sets has been expanded after more children swallowed the tiny magnets in them and were seriously injured, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced.

In March 2006 Mega Brands Inc. recalled 3.8 million of the magnetic building sets when one child died and four others were seriously injured after they swallowed the magnets. In total, the CPSC and Mega Brands know of the one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. All but one of the cases required emergency surgery.

The expanded recall includes all sets except Magnetix sets sold since March 31, 2006, that are age-labeled "6+" and have the following caution label: "CAUTION: Do not ingest or inhale magnets. Attraction of magnets in the body may cause serious injury and require immediate medical care."

The newer sets better retain magnets because of material and design changes, according to Mega Brands.

The commission received reports of at least 1,500 incidents in which the small magnets separated from the toy.

If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal. While the hazard was thought to be a problem for children younger than 6, at least 10 injuries involved children between the ages of 6 and 11.

Mega Brands spokesman Alex Radmanovich said the company is not going to quibble with consumers over whether they bought the product within the recall period.

"If you've got this product in the home and you feel uncomfortable, please call us," he said.

CPSC said that the expanded recall includes an additional 4 million sets, making a total of about 7.8 million. Radmanovich, however, says even with the expanded recall the total number of sets covered is about 4 million.

Toy and arts and crafts stores nationwide sold the sets. Consumers should contact Mega Brands for a replacement toy. For more information, call Mega Brands at 800-779-7122.

1 death, 19 injuries blamed on magnets

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

At least one U.S. child has died and 19 others have needed surgery since 2003 after swallowing magnets used in toys, the government reported Thursday.

Most of those cases were believed to involve tiny but strong "rare earth" magnets that can link together in children's digestive tracts, squeezing and even perforating the intestines, the researchers said.

The magnets, made from neodymium iron boron or other compounds, have become common in the U.S. toy market in the past five years because they have become cheaper to produce, said Jonathan Midgett, the study's lead author and an engineering psychologist with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

They are used in building sets, action figures and dolls.

"Most people who have never had them in their hands are shocked at how strong these tiny things are," Midgett said.

Kenny Sweet, a 20-month-old boy from Redmond, Wash., died in two days after he began complaining of stomach aches and vomiting. An autopsy found nine small magnets stacked together. They had caused a twisting of the bowel and a blood infection.

The magnets had come off a building set belonging to Kenny's 10-year-old brother, according to his family's lawyers. Mega Brands Inc. recalled 3.8 million Magnetix building sets, added warning labels and agreed to pay $13.5 million to settle lawsuits.

Last month, Mattel Inc. recalled more than 4 million Polly Pocket play sets, dolls with small magnets in their hands, feet, clothing and other accessories.

Last month, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group for the first time included the magnets on its annual holiday warning about dangerous toys.

Midgett said federal and industry officials hope to have a warning label ready within six months for toys containing magnets.

4.4 Million Toys Recalled after Kids Swallow Magnets

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

A consumer research group called for warning labels on toys with magnets after more than 4 million Mattel play sets were recalled over injuries to several children who swallowed magnets that fell off.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall of magnetic Polly Pocket sets as the holiday gift-buying season begins, urged shoppers to avoid buying toy sets with small magnets for children under six. The recall doesn't include Polly Pocket play sets now on store shelves.

The commission received 170 reports of the small magnets falling from Polly Pocket dolls and accessories. Three children swallowed more than one magnet and suffered intestinal perforation that required surgery. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal.

"Swallowing a magnet is not like swallowing a penny," said Alison Cassady, research director of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group in a statement that accompanied its annual toy safety survey. "Powerful magnets can wreak havoc inside the body."

U.S. PIRG said the commission should require labels on all magnetic toys warning parents to seek immediate medical help if their children swallow a magnet.

In its annual safety survey, U.S. PIRG researchers found toys with small parts for children under age three, despite a government ban on the sale of these toys for that age group. They also found items for children under age six without the required choke hazard warning.

The Polly Pocket recall does not include sets currently on store shelves. Mattel redesigned those sets to make them safer, said CPSC Spokesman Scott Wolfson.

Wolfson said the government is "actively pursuing new voluntary standards" from toy makers. "That work is being pursued not at the mandatory level but the voluntary level right now," he said.

Sara Rosales, vice president of communications at Mattel, said the company is working with others in the toy industry, consumer advocates and the government "to make appropriate revisions to the U.S. toy standard to prevent such issues in the future," Rosales said.

The Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories featuring small magnets measuring 1/8 inch in diameter. The magnets are embedded in the hands and feet of the dolls, plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories that attach to the dolls.

The recall applies to about 2.4 million sets that were manufactured before April 1, 2005, and sold at department stores and toy stores in the United States from May 2003 through Sept. 2006. They cost between $15 and $30. It also affects another 2 million Polly Pocket play sets were sold worldwide.

Last March, another toy company, Mega Brands Inc., recalled 3.8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets after one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in them.

In 2005, there were 20 toy-related deaths and 152,400 toy-related injuries involving children under age 15. The majority of injuries were sustained from riding toys.

The recalled Polly Pocket brand sets include: Polly Place Hangin' Out House, Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse, Spa Day, Quik-Clik Boutique, Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset, Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset and Totally Zen Playset. Polly Totally brand Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner sets are also being recalled.

The commission said consumers should take the toys away from children and contact Mattel to arrange for the return of the toy and to receive a voucher for a replacement toy. For more information about the recall, contact Mattel at 888-597-6597 or visit http://www.service.mattel.com or http://www.cpsc.gov.

Dangerous Toys Still on Store Shelves

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Despite decades-old laws requiring safer toys and other children's items, many hazardous toys are still being sold in stores across the country, according to the 21st annual toy safety survey released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG).

"While we can report substantial progress after more than two decades of advocacy on behalf of America's littlest consumers, U.S. PIRG's researchers still found trouble in toyland," said U.S. PIRG Research Director Alison Cassady, the author of the report.

According to the most recent data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), almost 73,000 children under the age of five were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries in 2005. Twenty children died from toy-related injuries last year.

"Even one toy-related death is too many, because these deaths are preventable," said Cassady.

The 21st annual U.S. PIRG Trouble in Toyland report offers safety guidelines for purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards.

U.S. PIRG's research focused on several categories of toy dangers:

toys that pose choking hazards,
toys with powerful magnets,
toys that contain lead, and
toys that pose strangulation hazards.

Choking Hazards

In 1979, the CPSC banned the sale of toys for children under three if they contain small parts. The 1994 Child Safety Protection Act required an explicit choke hazard warning on toys with small parts for children between three and six.

Despite those regulations, U.S. PIRG found toys for children under three with small parts and toys with small parts for children under six without the required choke hazard warning.

Children continue to choke on toys that meet the letter of the law. In September, Playskool recalled the Team Talkin' Tool Bench after two children suffocated when the toy's oversized plastic nails became lodged in their throats. U.S. PIRG found several toys on store shelves that have parts shaped like corks or these toy nails that could pose similar suffocation hazards.

"Toddlers put everything in their mouths," said Cassady. "CPSC should make the small parts test more protective of children under three and consider warning labels for toys with parts shaped like corks or the toy nails that caused two children to suffocate," continued Cassady.
Magnetic Toys

Toymakers have started using powerful magnets in building toys and magnetic jewelry. If a child swallows more than one magnet, they can attract each other in the body and cause a bowel obstruction or life-threatening perforation. A little boy died last Thanksgiving and many others have had life-saving surgery after swallowing magnets from MEGA Brands' Magnetix toys.

"Swallowing a magnet is not like swallowing a penny. Powerful magnets can wreak havoc inside the body," cautioned Cassady.

MEGA Brands has modified the design of Magnetix and placed a label on the toy's packaging warning parents about the dangers of magnets. U.S. PIRG called on CPSC to require a warning label on all magnetic toys that tells parents to seek immediate medical attention if a child swallows magnets.
Lead in Jewelry

Children exposed to lead can suffer delayed mental and physical development or even death.

In February, a four-year-old died of lead poisoning after he swallowed a bracelet charm that contained 99% lead. U.S. PIRG researchers went to just a few stores and easily found four items of children's jewelry that contain high levels of lead, ranging from 1.8% lead to 34% lead by weight.

"We've known for decades that lead poses serious health risks to children, so it is unacceptable that consumers can still find lead-laden children's jewelry on store shelves," said Cassady.

U.S. PIRG called on CPSC to enact and enforce mandatory requirements for jewelry manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers to ensure their products do not contain lead.
Strangulation Hazards

CPSC has decided to take another look at the dangers posed by water yo-yo balls after a five-year-old Bellevue, Washington boy almost suffocated last month when the toy's stretchy cord wrapped tightly around his neck several times. CPSC has recorded about 400 injuries to the eyes, face and neck since the water yo-yo ball came on the market three years ago.

"CPSC should not wait until a child dies to protect children from the dangers posed by playing with this toy," said Cassady.

U.S. PIRG called on CPSC to follow the state of Illinois's lead and ban the water yo-yo immediately.

Cassady also reminded parents that the toy list in the U.S. PIRG report is only a sampling of the potential hazards on store shelves.

"Shoppers should examine all toys carefully for hidden dangers before they make a purchase this holiday season," Cassady concluded.
Latest Recalls

Parents and others buying gifts for children should check the latest safety recalls. If you're shopping on eBay or at a thrift store or bazaar that resells used items, check safety recalls from earlier years as well. Although it clearly has the capability to do so, eBay does nothing to screen items aimed at children.

The ConsumersAffairs.Com recall section lists child-related recalls dating back to 1999.

4.4 million toys recalled after kids swallow magnets

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

A consumer research group called Tuesday for warning labels on toys with magnets after more than 4 million Mattel play sets were recalled over injuries to several children who swallowed magnets that fell off.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall of magnetic Polly Pocket sets as the holiday gift-buying season begins, urged shoppers to avoid buying toy sets with small magnets for children under 6. The recall doesn't include Polly Pocket play sets now on store shelves.

The commission received 170 reports of the small magnets falling from Polly Pocket dolls and accessories. Three children swallowed more than one magnet and suffered intestinal perforation that required surgery. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal.

“Swallowing a magnet is not like swallowing a penny,” said Alison Cassady, research director of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group in a statement that accompanied its annual toy safety survey. “Powerful magnets can wreak havoc inside the body.”

U.S. PIRG said the commission should require labels on all magnetic toys warning parents to seek immediate medical help if their children swallow a magnet.

In its annual safety survey, U.S. PIRG researchers found toys with small parts for children under age 3, despite a government ban on the sale of these toys for that age group. They also found items for children under age 6 without the required choke hazard warning.

The Polly Pocket recall does not include sets currently on store shelves. Mattel redesigned those sets to make them safer, said CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson.

Wolfson said the government is “actively pursuing new voluntary standards” from toy makers. “That work is being pursued not at the mandatory level but the voluntary level right now,” he said.

Sara Rosales, vice president of communications at Mattel, said the company is working with others in the toy industry, consumer advocates and the government “to make appropriate revisions to the U.S. toy standard to prevent such issues in the future,” Rosales said.

The Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories featuring small magnets measuring 1/8 inch in diameter. The magnets are embedded in the hands and feet of the dolls, plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories that attach to the dolls.

The recall applies to about 2.4 million sets that were manufactured before April 1, 2005 and sold at department stores and toy stores in the United States from May 2003 through September 2006. They cost between $15 and $30. It also affects another 2 million Polly Pocket play sets were sold worldwide.

Last March, another toy company, Mega Brands Inc., recalled 3.8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets after one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in them.

In 2005, there were 20 toy-related deaths and 152,400 toy-related injuries involving children under age 15. The majority of injuries were sustained from riding toys.

The recalled Polly Pocket brand sets include: Polly Place Hangin' Out House, Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse, Spa Day, Quik-Clik Boutique, Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset, Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset and Totally Zen Playset. Polly Totally brand Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner sets are also being recalled.

The commission said consumers should take the toys away from children and contact Mattel to arrange for the return of the toy and to receive a voucher for a replacement toy. For more information about the recall, contact Mattel at 888-597-6597 or visit www.service.mattel.com or www.cpsc.gov.

Boy has part of bowels removed after swallowing magnets

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The parents of a 3-year-old boy who had part of his intestine removed after he swallowed several magnetic toys want the building set removed from store shelves.

Macguire Butterfield earlier this year swallowed three magnets contained in a Magnetix building block set. They became lodged inside his small intestine, but laxatives helped the child pass the toys.

Within a few weeks, however, the boy developed fevers, more stomach aches and vomiting. Doctors said the magnets were attracted to each other while inside the boy's body and caused damage.

"The magnets lodged in different loops of the bowel, and their attraction to one another squeezed parts of his bowel together cutting off blood flow to a portion of the bowel and killing it," said Lori Butterfield, the child's mother.

The bowel twisting caused an infection that nearly killed him, she said.

Butterfield and her husband, Mike, have filed a complaint against the toy's New Jersey-based distributor, RoseArt Industries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it has collected reports of 34 incidents involving the toy, including the death of a 20-month-old child who swallowed magnets from the toy.

RoseArt Industries instituted a voluntary recall and replacement program for about 3.8 million of the toys, and says consumers can return the sets to the company for a free replacement product suitable for children younger than 6. The building sets had been marketed to children 3 and older.

Vic Bertrand, chief operating officer for RoseArt's parent company, said in a statement that Magnetix products will remain on store shelves targeted for children of an appropriate age.

"We were deeply saddened to learn of reports of children being harmed by ingesting small parts," Bertrand said. "As the father of four children and as a member of the family that helped build this business, I am personally committed to safe and creative play experiences for children who use our products."

Defective Magnet Toys Lawsuit Lawyer Mattel Magnetix

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Magnetic Toy Sets

Another Mattel Magnetic Toy Set Recall
On August 14, 2007, Mattel Inc. issued additional recalls for millions of Magnetic toy sets. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall notices, the magnets included in the Magnetic toy sets, which measure 1/8 of an inch in diameter and are embedded in the hands and feet, plastic clothing and accessories of the Magnetic toys, can come loose and pose a hazard to children if swallowed. Included in the recall where 7.3 million Polly Pocket Play Sets; 1 million Doggie Day Care Play Sets; 683,000 Barbie and Tanner Play Sets; and 345,000 Batman and One Piece Action. If a child swallows more than one of the powerful magnets from the toy, they can become attracted to each other in the intestinal tract. This can cause the intestines to twist, and can lead to bowel obstructions, intestinal perforations and other serious injuries. According to the CPSC recall notice, Mattel has had more than 400 reports of magnets coming out of the recalled toys. No injuries involving toys from this recall have been reported so far. Please see the far right of this page for a complete list of all Magnetic toy sets included in the August 14th Mattel toy recall.

Mattel Magnetic Toy Recall
On November 21, 2006, Mattel Inc. recalled 4.4 million Polly Pocket magnetic play sets after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that three children were hospitalized with serious injuries from swallowing tiny magnets that fell off the toys. The CPSC received 170 reports of the tiny magnets falling out from the dolls and accessories in the Polly Pocket sets. Each of the three injured children swallowed more than one magnet and suffered intestinal perforation, where surgery was performed.

The Polly Pocket play sets consist of plastic dolls and accessories that include small magnets measuring approximately a 1/8inch in diameter. The magnets are set in the hands and feet of the dolls, plastic clothing, hairpieces and other accessories that attach to the dolls. This recall applies to 2.4 million sets that were manufactured prior to April 1, 2005 and sold at department stores and toy stores in the United States from May 2003 through September 2006. The toy sets cost between $15 and $30. This recall also affects one more 2 million Polly Pocket play sets were sold worldwide.

The recalled Polly Pocket brand sets include: Polly Place Hangin‘ Out House, Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse, Spa Day, Quik-Clik Boutique, Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset, Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset and Totally Zen Playset. Polly Totally brand Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner sets are also being recalled.

RoseArt Industries Magnetic Toy Recall
On July 29, 2006, RoseArt Industries instituted a voluntary recall and replacement program for approximately 3.8 million magnetic toys marketed to children three years of age and older. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it has gathered reports of 34 incidents involving the toy, including the death of a 20-month-old child who swallowed magnets from the toy.

Earlier in 2006, a 3-year-old boy swallowed three magnets contained in a Magnetix building block set, manufactured by RoseArts Industries. The magnets got stuck in the boy’s small intestines, but were later passed through his system. A short time later the child encountered additional stomachaches, vomiting, and fevers, which was attributed to the magnets being attracted to each other while inside the boy.

The magnets were wedged in various loops of the bowel, and their attraction to one another squeezed parts of his bowel together, cutting off blood flow to a portion of the bowel and killing it," said the child's mother. The bowel twisting caused an infection that nearly killed him, she said.

Children's Toys can be Very Dangerous
Many children’s toys on the market are extremely dangerous. The majority of these toys are very tiny and are often used by children of inappropriate ages. Toy manufacturers constantly fail to advise parents of the real hazards. Many times toys are not recalled until a child dies or is severely injured.

If your child has been seriously injured a result of a a defective magnetic children’s toy set, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation from an experienced products liability attorney.