Mattel initiates a staggering recall of Chinese-made toys
A huge recall of nearly 20 million toys is underway. Mattel is recalling toys because of lead paint and because of magnets that could come loose and be swallowed.
Another example of the risk of doing business with China? Only partly, I think.
The sheer size of the recall boggles the mind. Almost 20 million items sold by Mattel are deemed dangers to children:
Mattel Inc. is recalling 18.6 million Chinese-made products around the world, its second recall in two weeks, mostly because they contain magnets that may fall out and be swallowed by children.
The recall includes 18.2 million Barbie, Polly Pocket and Batman toys with magnets, the world's biggest toymaker said today in a statement. El Segundo, California-based Mattel also removed 436,000 die-cast vehicles that contain lead.
In the case of the lead paint, clearly someone in China needs to be held to account, as Mattel is alleging that someone swapped paint suppliers without permission.
The magnet problem, though, might be different. It would seem to me that that there might be a design flaw in these Mattel products:
Additionally, Mattel announced the voluntary recall of magnetic toys manufactured between January 2002 and January 31, 2007, including certain dolls, figures, play sets and accessories that may release small, powerful magnets. The recall expands upon Mattel's voluntary recall of eight toys in November 2006 and is based on a thorough internal review of all Mattel's brands. Mattel is recalling 18.2 million magnetic toys globally (9.5 million in the U.S.); however, the majority of the toys are no longer at retail. Beginning in January 2007, Mattel implemented enhanced magnet retention systems in its toys across all brands.
"Since our November 2006 magnet-related recall, we have implemented more robust magnet retention systems and more rigorous testing. We are exercising caution and have expanded the list of recalled magnetic toys due to potential safety risks associated with toys that might have loose magnets," said Walter.
No one is alleging that the toys were made incorrectly. They may have been made in China, but if the magnet housing was inadequately designed to stand up to the rigours of child's play, then Mattel needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility.
I'm no fan of shoddy Chinese products and workmanship, and we've seen plenty of examples of behaviour in the Chinese manufacturing and agricultural sector that cross the line into criminal acts, but as consumers we have to be careful that Western companies don't evade their responsibility. It would be easy to lump the magnet problem with melamine in pet food and antifreeze in toothpaste and lead paint on toys.
It might also be wrong.
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Comments
...guess what a lot of 3rd world countries are going to get for Christmas...
Posted by: tomax7 at August 14, 2007 11:57 AM
...just think, new GM cars will be made in China.
Try recalling that.
Posted by: tomax7 at August 14, 2007 11:59 AM
Almost 1 million of the recalled toys are in Canada.
Posted by: Reid at August 14, 2007 12:01 PM
...not to hog postings, but I'm thinking on buying a T61 laptop by Lenovo (nee IBM) shortly.
Been reading posting around the 'net and so far it seems they are still well built, albeit the keyboard is a little stiffer.
Maybe I should get the 'older' T60 Core 2 IBM version instead? But I think those are also by Lenovo.
*sigh*
Posted by: tomax7 at August 14, 2007 12:02 PM
You can read here about the dangers of small magnets for infants and children.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5548a3.htm
It looks like there was a previous recall of Polly Pocket toys by Mattel so they have known about the problem for a while.
Parents and grandparents need to be informed and vigilant about this and stop assuming that toys are safe.
Posted by: muttsrus at August 14, 2007 01:46 PM
The story below makes a lie of things we have been told about the recalls--ie. that it is Dollar Stores and WalMart that import these cheap products to keep their prices down. This toothpaste was supplied to upscale hotels around the world. So what is really happening? No mention of the name on the toothpaste tubes.
Published: Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Hotels across Canada were scrambling Monday to destroy miniature tubes of toothpaste made in China after learning they may contain a toxic chemical used to produce antifreeze.
Gilchrist & Soames, an Indianapolis-based company that supplies toiletries to upscale hotels, declared Monday it was starting a voluntary recall after independent tests showed some toothpaste samples contained diethylene glycol, also known as DEG. The company, which imported the tainted toothpaste from Ming Fai Enterprises International Co. in China, said it had distributed the 18-millilitre tubes to hotels in Canada and more than a dozen other countries, including the U.S., Mexico, United Kingdom, France and Italy.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=8e2f3554-73cf-4a9a-854d-e2c4ee1617d3
Posted by: George at August 14, 2007 03:19 PM
...wow, time to buy Colgate stocks. But wait, hotels have their own labels on the stuff don't they?
Ah a conspiracy! Next they'll be saying the towels are laced with saltpeter to stop people taking them home as souvenirs!
Only, I wish this wasn't funny, who know where else our system has failed us.
Remember the PCB laced scare we had regarding coffee filters to make them whiter?
Posted by: tomax7 at August 14, 2007 04:18 PM
Made in China -
I have been trying to trace more information regarding problems with oil tankers running between Alaska and the Lower 48 States. It seems that tankers of the Alaska Tanker Company have had problems. In Dec. 2005, the rudder failed on one ship and inspections on the others indicated the same problems. In Sept. 2006, a mooring bitt failed on 'Alaskan Navigator.' There were also anchor failures. These three types of weaknesses required all of the ships to be repaired. I have seen one report that indicated that all of the parts that failed were made in China. This information could be confirmed by finding out from Alaska Tanker, the US Coast Guard or likely in a article on these ships around the time of their completion in some shipping magazine.
Lance M. Jefferson
Richmond, British Columbia
Posted by: Lance M. Jefferson at August 14, 2007 04:24 PM
Mattel should be out of business on this one. Send every toy in your toy boxes made by them back for refunds.
When it comes to our precious children we should take drastic measures to ensure they get the message.
Posted by: Libby at August 14, 2007 05:53 PM
Lance--remember that Paul Martin's CSL is having ships built in China too. Perhaps they do this on purpose so that they can blame China if anything goes wrong? I am waiting for them to tell us that that oil tanker that ran aground in Alaska and spilled oil has nothing to do with a drunk captain but it had parts imported from China! I wonder if China built that bridge in Minnesota that collapsed or that mine that caved in in Utah?
Posted by: George at August 14, 2007 06:07 PM
Having been the unfortunate service engineer on the receiving end of questionable parts 'made in China' I can quite implicitly state that China builds, markets and sells substandard junk that is not only at high risk of premature failure but also is a danger to humans (and other animals).
These are just toys. Imagine aircraft parts, car parts, surgical tools, etc
Posted by: missing link at August 14, 2007 11:00 PM
Poor Europeans are even worse off:
http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/2007/08/europe-of-results.html
Posted by: Frank Ch. EIgler at August 15, 2007 08:30 AM
...and the beat goes on
Tests conducted this summer by a non-profit health agency show that some vinyl baby bibs sold at Toys "R" Us stores are contaminated with lead, the New York Times reported Wednesday.
The inexpensive bibs, made in China and imported for Toys "R" Us by Hamco Baby Products, contained lead levels three times as high as the level allowed in paint, the Times reported.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293336,00.html
Posted by: tomax7 at August 15, 2007 10:59 AM
Calgary Sun TAB cartoon has a good one. Transformer toy turns into toothpaste
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Comment/TAB/2007/08/16/4421623.html
Posted by: tomax7 at August 16, 2007 06:40 AM
 
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