Toy giant recalls thousands of toys

Kids toy manufacturers Mattel are having to recall hundreds of toys back to China, because of fears they carry high levels of toxic piant or small magnets which could fall off and be swallowed by children.

More than 18.5 million toys are affected all around the world and include makes such as Barbie, Batman and Polly Pocket.

This is the second safety alert from the toy giant Mattel in a month - sparking off serious concerns about whether the toy giant can cope with producing toys for low prices but also providing quality products.

Mattel are responsible for roughly 80 per cent of toys that are available on the UK market, largely because of their ability to produce hundreds of toys at a low value.

Fears that the toys may have been manufactured with paint that containes lead is very worrying for parents everywhere as children constantly have toys in their mouths and lead poisoning can produce severe reactions such as vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, anaemia, loss of appetite, headaches and in particularly high doses, coma and death.

In addition to the lead paint, magnets were also produced which appear to be dangerous because of a design fault which meant they could easily break off and be swallowed. Problems would become more serious if children swallowed more than one magnet which blocked their intestines or made it difficult for them to swallow and breath. Mattel have now rectified the problem.

In March last year, another toy company, Mega Brands Inc, recalled 3.8million Magnetix magnetic building sets after one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing the tiny magnets in them.

Yesterday, Mattel chairman and chief executive Robert A. Eckert commented on the toy recall by saying: "The safety of children is our primary concern, and we are deeply apologetic to everyone affected.

"Mattel has rigorous procedures, and we will continue to be vigilant and unforgiving in enforcing quality and safety."

He added: "Our long record of safety at Mattel is why we're one of the most trusted names with parents. And I am confident that the actions we are taking now will maintain that trust."

Some of the ranges of toys that are thought to be affected are:
Barbie
Batman
Polly Pocket
Dora the Explorer
Lazy Town
Thomas the Tank Engine wooden toys

Mattel have set up a UK Helpline for parents if they are worried about their children's toys. Call 01628 500 303 or email helplineUK@mattel.com for more information.

Thanks to The Evening Standard 14/08/07

For more information about toys which are safe for your children, see our article Which toys are safe for my child?

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Last Modified: 15/08/2007