Mattel is probably going to take another toy off the shelves due to overleaded paint, reports the AP and a tipster. The announcement of which toy could come today.
lead
Chinese Lead Toy Maker Commits Suicide In Mattel Recall Aftermath
By 8.13.07
The owner of a Chinese toy factory identified by Mattel as the maker of the lead-tainted toys involved in a million unit recall committed suicide Saturday afternoon inside his factory, according to Chinese officials, the AP reports. According to the article, dishonored officials commonly commit suicide.
China: It's Mattel's Fault That Chinese Companies Manufactured Toys Covered With Lead. What?
By 8.11.07
China’s General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) blamed Mattel for the recent lead contamination of nearly 1 million toys, saying that the toy maker did not adequately supervise their suppliers. Mattel’s oversight safeguards are widely regarded as the “gold standard” for manufacturing in China. From the LA Times:
Is China Going To Execute Lead-Toy Vendors?
By 8.9.07
Chinese officials have announced that they will “severely” punish the vendors responsible for the recent lead-tainted toy snafu. That leads us to ask, what do they consider severe punishment? Remember what they did to the director of the food and drug agency for accepting poisoned toothpaste bribes? And the new state-sponsored video game “Incorruptible Fighter”, where players get to execute corrupt officials with magic or weapons, is so popular that it’s been downloaded over 100,000 times.
Mattel Identifies Manufacturer Responsible For Supplying 967,000 Tainted Toys
By 8.8.07
Mattel is blaming a potentially bankrupt cardboard box vendor for supplying 967,000 toys covered with lead paint. The toy maker publicly identified the Lee Der Industrial Company in Guangdong province in the hopes that other toy makers will take their business elsewhere. The AP tried to call Lee Der for comment, which resulted in this odd exchange:
Lead-Tainted Charms From China Very Unlucky
By 8.7.07
The poisonous lead story continues this week with news that 20% of trinkets and charms sold in the United States still contain dangerous levels of lead. In a surprise to no one, “of the 17.9 million pieces of jewelry items pulled from the market since the start of 2005, 95 percent were made in China.” Here’s a good scare quote to drive home the danger:
Jewelry is perhaps the most dangerous place for lead because children can swallow an entire ring or pendant, causing acute poisoning, which can cause respiratory failure, seizures and even death, whereas neurological damage and learning deficiencies are often associated with exposure to lead paint. Many children also tend to suck on jewelry or put it in their mouths, allowing lead to be absorbed into their bloodstream.
More Coverage Of The Fisher Price Recall
By 8.2.07
The clip has a sound bite from the CPSC, as well as your typical concerned Mom interviews and a round-up of recent Chinese Poison Train stories.
Toxic Lead Paint Prompts Recall of 967,000 Fisher-Price Toys
By 8.2.07
Sorry kids, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fisher-Price are recalling Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and 83 other types of fun toys that happen to be covered with toxic lead paint from China.
Thomas The Poisonous Tank Engine Recall Fallout Continues
By 6.20.07
Today’s New York Times has an interesting article about the process of assigning blame in the recent Thomas the Tank Engine recall debacle. Whose fault is it? The company that outsourced the manufacturing to China, RC2? The company that holds the rights to Thomas the Tank Engine, HIT Entertainment? Both? Neither?
Recall Round-Up: The Toy Is Full Of Kerosene And Other Adventures
By 6.15.07
The jewel decorations on the shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Units: About 1,800 Manufactured in: China
1.5 Million Thomas & Friends Toys Recalled Due To Lead Paint From China
By 6.13.07
Way to go, China! You’ve turned our “Chinese Poison Train” into something literal. Good job!
Lead Prompts Recall Of Children's Necklaces, Earrings, And Rings
By 2.25.07
Kmart and Big Lots! are voluntarily recalling 121,000 necklaces, earrings, and rings that contain lead. This stunning announcement is sure to devastate Valentine sweethearts in pre-schools across the nation.
Vitamine Shoppe Multivitamins Contaminated With Lead
By 1.19.07
- Of 21 brands of multivitamins on the market in the United States and Canada selected by ConsumerLab.com and tested by independent laboratories, just 10 met the stated claims on their labels or satisfied other quality standards.
Lead Snaps On Kid’s Clothes, Bad Idea
By 1.9.07
The CPSC has a recall of two types of overalls sold at Dilliard’s. What’s wrong with the overalls? They have “coatings on the snaps in the overalls and shirt contain excessive amounts of lead, posing a serious risk of lead poisoning and adverse health effects to young children.” This is a bad idea. Isn’t the first rule of children’s clothes…no lead? It’s at least the second rule.
Dangerous Amounts of Lead Found in Capitol Hill Gift Shop Trinkets
By 12.13.06
If you thought visiting Washington could be bad for your health, you’re right. Seven products, including bracelets, pendants and a souvenir spoon, were removed from the shelves of four gift shops in response to preliminary lead test results requested by Sen.Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.
Surprise, “Cars” Toy Box Full of Lead
By 11.9.06
Cars don’t use leaded gasoline anymore, but boy, oh boy … do toy companies still use lead paint! This Disney/Pixar branded toy chest is painted with red paint that “contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.”
The News; Myspace Eats Lead
By 7.24.06
• Just make sure your kids eat the lunch, not the box. [ABC] “FDA Warns Lunch Box Makers About Lead”
Coke Sued to Stop Using Leaded Labels
By 5.16.06
Coke? Will that be unleaded or regular? California prefers the former and sued Coca-Cola yesterday, asking it to pretty please with a dead baby on top, to stop using lead-based paint on their labels. Reports the LA Times:
