Do Baby Einstein Products Make Your Child Stupid? Well, The Lead Tainted Blocks Don't Help

Back in August, the University of Washington issued a press release about a study in the Journal of Pediatrics that examined the effect that baby videos (such as the Disney “Baby Einstein” series) had on young children.

The study concluded that the videos, when watched alone, were potentially harmful to the development of a child’s vocabulary. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for children under 2.)

Disney’s CEO, Robert A. Iger, then issued his own press release, demanding a retraction from the University of Washington, calling the University’s press release “grossly unfair, extremely damaging, and, to be blunt, just plain wrong in every conceivable sense.”

The President of the University of Washington, Mark A. Emmert, politely refused to retract the press release, responding (in still another press release), that the researchers did not feel that the press release was inconsistent with their findings.

Today, Kids II Inc., a company that licenses the name “Baby Einstein,” (the brand Disney was so worried about protecting from the “grossly unfair” academics at the University of Washington), recalled some “Baby Einstein” blocks because the paint contained “excessive levels of lead.”

We truly, and without one hint of sarcasm, can’t wait to hear what Robert A. Iger has to say about this.

Kids II Recalls Baby Einstein Color Blocks Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard [CPSC]

PREVIOUSLY: Walt Disney Demands Retraction From University of Washington Over Baby Einstein Video Press Release
University Of Washington Stands Up To Disney, Will Not Retract “Baby Einstein” Press Release
Disney, Toys ‘R Us To Begin Random Testing Of Toys

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