| ■ Mattel Recalls Nearly 1 Million Toys With Lead Paint | 2007.08.06 |
| Toy maker Mattel has recalled nearly one million toys in the United States because they are covered in lead paint. The recall covers 83 different kinds of toys -- many of which feature Sesame Street and Nickelodeon characters -- that were made in China. By halting product shipments from its distribution centers and by contacting retailers last week, Mattel said it prevented more than two-thirds of the 967,000 affected toys from reaching consumers, The New York Times reported. However, more than 300,000 of the lead-tainted toys have already been purchased by U.S. consumers. The affected toys, made between April 19 and July 6, may have a date code from 109-7LF to 187-7LF on the product or packaging, said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "These recalled toys have accessible lead in the paint, and parents should not hesitate in taking them away from children," Nancy A. Nord, acting CPSC chairwoman, said in a statement. This is Mattel's 17th recall in 10 years, the Times reported. |