rc2

Over 17 Million Items Recalled For Lead Contamination In 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen… Boys and Girls… The final tally for lead recalls is in.

RC2 Sues Munchkin, Inc For "Sippy Cup" Patent Infringement

RC2 Sues Munchkin, Inc For "Sippy Cup" Patent Infringement

RC2, whom you probably know as the company that makes the lead-tainted Thomas & Friends toys, has filed a lawsuit against rival Munchkin, INC for allegedly infringing on a spill-proof sippy cup patent.

Thomas & Friends Customers Sent Lead Tainted Toys As Apology For Lead Tainted Toys

Thomas & Friends Customers Sent Lead Tainted Toys As Apology For Lead Tainted Toys

If you returned a recalled Thomas & Friends toy to RC2, you probably received an apology and a “bonus gift.” We hope you didn’t give the toy to your kid, because some of the “bonus gifts” have been recalled for lead contamination.

Lead Recall Watch: 11,395,350 Items Recalled For Lead Contamination In 2007

Lead Recall Watch: 11,395,350 Items Recalled For Lead Contamination In 2007

Here at Consumerist we’ve been keeping an eye on the 2007 lead contamination recalls. Here’s September’s update:

New York Times Reporter Detained By "Thomas The Tank Engine" Toy Factory

New York Times Reporter Detained By "Thomas The Tank Engine" Toy Factory

David Barboza, a New York Times business reporter based in China, stopped by the RC2 corporation’s factory in Dongguan, China to investigate the recent recall of 1.5 million wooden Thomas & Friends toys. He was confronted, accused of trespassing and detained for several hours. Eventually, the police recommended that he write out a confession.

Thomas The Poisonous Tank Engine Recall Fallout Continues

Thomas The Poisonous Tank Engine Recall Fallout Continues

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?