Target employee Dan Swift removes recalled Polly Pocket toys from the shelves at the store in Richmond, Virginia, United States, yesterday. Mattel recalled nine million Chinese-made toys Tuesday, including Polly Pockets play sets and Batman action figures, because of dangers to children from lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed. - APNEW YORK (AP):
Mattel Inc. announced the recall of a Chinese-made toy yesterday because it may contain excessive amounts of lead paint. The expected announcement would mark the second recall involving lead paint by the world's largest toymaker within two weeks.
The latest recall, whose details could not be immediately learned, involves a different Chinese supplier, according to three people close to the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
It follows a highly publicised worldwide recall, announced August 1 by Mattel's Fisher-Price division, of 1.5 million preschool toys featuring characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo. That action included 967,000 toys sold in the United States between May and August.
No word from officers
One of the three people confirmed the latest case involves lead paint.
Scott Wolfson, a spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, declined to comment. Mattel officials did not immediately return phone calls.
On August 2, Mattel apologised to customers for the preschool toy recall and said the move would cut pre-tax operating income by US$30 million. In that case, Fisher-Price 'fast-tracked' the recall, which allowed the company to quarantine two-thirds of the tainted toys before they reached store shelves.
In documents filed the nextday with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Mattel noted that additional information became available in July on "other smaller product recalls and similar charges were recorded". Those recalls involved design problems, according to company officials questioned last week.
Temporary ban
Days after the Fisher-Price recall, Chinese officials temporarily banned the toys' manufacturer, Lee Der Industrial Co., from exporting products. A Lee Der co-owner, Cheung Shu-hung, committed suicide at a warehouse at the weekend, apparently by hanging himself, a state-run newspaper reported Monday.
Lee Der was under pressure in a global controversy over the safety of Chinese-made products. It is common for disgraced officials to commit suicide in China.
Until now, Fisher-Price and parent company Mattel had never recalled toys because of lead paint.
The latest recall would mark the latest in a string of toy recalls that have rocked the toy industry just as it prepares for the critical holiday season. With more than 80 per cent of toys sold worldwide made in China, toy sellers are nervous that shoppers will shy away from their products.
