The AG of California recently pointed out that some of Target’s Valentine’s Day plush bears contained unacceptable levels of lead. A nonprofit consumer watchdog group tested the bears and turned the findings over the California AG, who in turn wrote Target a strongly-worded letter. Target has responded by pulling the toys while they investigate. The company says the Chinese-made toys passed testing.

“In this case, the laboratory identified lead levels nearly 10 times higher than those allowed under federal law,” the AG’s letter stated. “We ask that you stop selling the bears immediately and that you accept returns of the product, even without a receipt, as part of any corrective action.”

“We are locking this item at point of sale so guests are unable to purchase it while we conduct an internal investigation on the safety of this product,” [a Target spokesperson] said. “Target’s initial investigation indicates this product had compliant testing results when it was shipped.”

Target pulls Valentine’s toys over lead concerns [AP]

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