Mattel announces yet a third recall of toys due to lead

The Mattel Corporation has extended its recall of toys to include another 675,000 items, including Barbie and GeoTrax labels. This on the heels of two other recalls of that have identified over 10 million items in total.

Mattel Corporation announced a third major recall of toys and items manufactured in China. These items are being recalled to to excessive lead paint. This recall of some 675,000 follows a worldwide recall in mid-August of  some 967,000 plastic toys under the Fisher-Price label and another 9 million items due to lead levels in magnets and lead paint.  Mattel made this annoucement in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). 

A list of items in this third recall can be found here. It includes  Barbie accessories manufactured between Sept. 30, 2006, and Aug. 20, 2007. Other items include Geo Trax Locomotive Toys  Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys undet the Fisher-Price brand.

MSNBC reports that over 80% of children's toys are manufactured in China.

Parents are expressing growing confusion over the toys they have purchased in the past. With the county only months away from the holiday season, manufacturers and vendors of childrens toys are expressing dismay and fear that sales will not recover from past year levels.

Toys noted in the second recall include Polly Pocket, Doggie Day Care, Barbie and Batman figures. Years ago, Polly Pocket toys were once part of McDonald's happy meals for children.

Other toys that have been recalled by other manufacturers this year include products of the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway line (RC2 Corporation) and  Easy-Bake Ovens (Hasbro, Inc.).

An official statement by the CPSC was made on August 14th which includes the list of products and pictures.  

A recalled toy can be exchanged for a voucher for a toy of similar or equal value.

Go to http://www.service.mattel.com or the CPSC site to see pictures of the recalled items. Mattel has opened a service hotline: 800-916-4498.