More Mattel Toys Recalled

EL SEGUNDO, September 5: Mattel has announced yet another recall of China-made toys—its third in just over a month—over impermissible levels of lead found in Barbie- and Fisher-Price-branded products, for a total of 530,000 items in the U.S. and 318,000 internationally.

The new recall includes eight pet and furniture play sets sold under the Barbie brand (the recall does not cover Barbie dolls) and three Fisher-Price toys. The recall stems from Mattel’s investigation of its vendor-sourced toys. The toy giant has also implemented worldwide a strengthened three-point check system to test toys throughout the manufacturing process.

Early last month, Mattel announced plans to bolster its screening system for China-made toys when it revealed a recall of 1.5 million Fisher-Price toys featuring Sesame Street and Nickelodeon characters. The ensuing investigation into its Chinese manufacturers uncovered further irregularities a few weeks later, with the company announcing the recall of 436,000 Cars die-cast vehicles over impermissible levels of lead, as well as more than 18 million magnetic toys.

Mattel’s ongoing investigation has already resulted in it severing deals with several subcontractors, chairman and CEO Robert A. Eckert said in a statement today.

The Barbie playsets recalled were produced by Holder Plastic Company, a Mattel contract vendor, which subcontracted the painting of miniature toy pets and small furniture pieces to Dong Lian Fa (DLF) and Yip Sing (YS). DLF and YS used uncertified paint and are no longer producing toys for Mattel.

Among the three Fisher-Price toys recalled are two Fisher-Price GEOTRAX toys and one It’s a Big Big World toy. The two GEOTRAX toys were manufactured by Apex Manufacturing Company, one of Mattel’s contract vendors, which outsourced paintwork to Boyi Plastic Products Factory. Apex supplied Boyi with certified paint; however, the toys were manufactured with uncertified paint. Boyi is no longer in business. The Fisher-Price It’s a Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toy was manufactured by Shun On Factory, one of Mattel’s contract vendors, which outsourced the molding and painting of one plastic piece. A subcontractor, Jingying Tampo Printing Processing Factory, used uncertified paint on the affected piece.