Made In China Product Recalls

Mattel Consumer Relations Answer Center - Recall Information

Global Recall Information
Please select a recall from the list below and follow the link to learn about that recall. Return to this page if you are interested in learning about additional recalls. This list includes Mattel recalls announced since August 4, 1998. For general recall information on any consumer product, and for earlier Mattel recalls, please visit www.recalls.gov. The links below service recalls for U.S. and Canadian consumers only. For global recall information, please click here to look up contact information for your local Mattel office or distributor.

Spain joins Chinese toy recall | Reuters
Spanish authorities have ordered two Chinese-made toy kits to be recalled, following the lead of the United States and Australia, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The National Consumers Institute is recalling Aqua Dots, made by Spin Master, and a similar toy Bindeez, made by Mouse Enterprise because they could be dangerous, the ministry said. It did not say how many toys were affected by the recall.

In the United States, 4.2 million Aqua Dots craft kits were recalled because the beads could contain a chemical similar to a “date rape” drug and cause unconsciousness, respiratory depression or seizures if swallowed.

LA Biz Observed: New recall spares Mattel
New recall spares Mattel
Mark Lacter • Bio • Email

This time the culprit is a toy called Bindeez, which contains small beads that are found to mimic the effects of a date-rape drug. The toy’s Australian manufacturer said the problem had been traced to a Chinese factory that apparently used a toxic chemical in the manufacturing process. It seems to dry faster than the safe stuff. (The nasty chemical in question metabolizes into gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB), also known as fantasy or Grievous Bodily Harm.) Bindeez is especially hot in Australia but it’s gaining popularity elsewhere. Continue reading “LA Biz Observed: New recall spares Mattel”

China factories feel the squeeze — chicagotribune.com
China factories feel the squeeze
Caught between rising costs at home and low-cost pressure abroad, some firms decide to cut corners

By Michael Oneal | Tribune staff reporter
November 8, 2007

SHENZHEN, China — Sitting in a windowless conference room surrounded by the remote-control toy Ferraris and Mercedes he sells the world over, factory owner Kuma Gu summed up what it’s like to manufacture products for American consumers these days. Continue reading “China factories feel the squeeze — chicagotribune.com”

NDTV.com: China-made toys recalled again
China-made toys recalled again
China-made toys recalled again
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Associated Press
Thursday, November 8, 2007 (Washington)
Millions of China-made toys have been pulled from shelves in US and Australia after scientists found they contained a chemical that converts into a powerful ”date rape” drug when ingested.

With only seven weeks until Christmas, the season that can decide the success of the toy industry for the year, the recall is yet another blow to an industry already bruised by a slew of recalls this past summer.

In the United States, the toy goes by the name Aqua Dots, a highly popular holiday toy distributed by Toronto-based Spin Master Toys.

They are called Bindeez in Australia, where they were named toy of the year at an industry function this year.

Recalls and Advisories: More China-made products pulled from U.S. shelves
More China-made products pulled from U.S. shelves
Friday, October 5, 2007 | 09:55 AM ET

Hundreds of thousands of toys and products were recalled Thursday for unsafe lead levels, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The recall involves the following products:

* 150,000 bookmarks and journals manufactured by Antioch Publishing and sold in U.S. stores between March 2005 and October 2007 for between $4 and $14 US.
* 192,000 metal key chains engraved with “wisdom,” “truth,” “believe,” “love,” “hope,” or “dream,” sold through Dollar General stores in the U.S. from June 2005 through August 2007 for about $1 US.
* 15,000 “Totally Me” children’s decorating sets sold through Toys “R” Us in U.S. stores and online from May 2007 through September 2007 for about $10 US.
* 63,000 Frankenstein tumblers sold at Dollar General stores in the U.S. in September 2007 for about $1.
* 79,000 Eveready Pirates of the Caribbean medallion flashlights sold in stores in Canada and the U.S. and online from September 2006 through October 2007 for between $4 and $6 US.
* 35,000 Baby Einstein Discover & Play Colour Blocks, models 30726 and 30881 with the date codes GE7, GF7 and GG7 sold in U.S. stores from June 2007 through September 2007 for between $10 and $13 US.
* 10,000 Wooden Pull-Along Alphabet & Math Block Wagons , Pull-Along Learning Blocks Wagons, 10-in-1 Activity Learning Carts, Flip-Flop Alphabet Blocks sold in KB stores in the U.S., sold from August 2005 and September 2007.

All of the recalled products were made in China.

Health Canada spokeswoman Joey Rathwell confirmed the decorating sets, Baby Einstein blocks and KB wooden toys were not sold in Canada.

High amounts of lead can harm the nervous system, kidneys and other major organs. Anemia, a decline in red blood cells, can occur, as well as damage to the nervous system that may impair mental function. At worst, lead poisoning can cause seizures or death.

The recalls follow a series of recalls and product safety investigations relating to Chinese imports, including products ranging from pet food to toothpaste and children’s toys.

Recalls and Advisories: Children’s toys recalled for unsafe lead levels
Children’s toys recalled for unsafe lead levels
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | 04:03 PM ET

More children’s toys manufactured in China are being recalled because they contain unsafe levels of lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday.

The recall of toys includes the following products sold in Canada:

* Knights of the Sword toys, distributed by Illinois-based RC2 Corp.
* Happy Giddy Gardening Tools, imported by Minneapolis-based Target.
* Guidecraft Inc. Children’s Puppet Theaters, manufactured by N.J.-based Guidecraft Inc.
The CPSC also announced a recall of about 200,000 Thomas & Friends toys in the United States, including:

All Black Cargo Car included in the Brendam Fishing Dock Set only.

* Toad vehicle with brake lever.
* Olive Green Sodor Cargo Box included in the Deluxe Cranky the Crane.
* All Green Maple Tree Top included in the Conductor’s Figure 8 Set.
* Green Signal Base included in the Conductor’s Figure 8 Set.

Another 850 children’s metal necklaces, manufactured by Rhode Island Novelty, are also being withdrawn in the U.S. because the clasp on the necklace contains unsafe lead levels.

High amounts of lead can harm the nervous system, kidneys and other major organs. Anemia, a decline in red blood cells, can occur, as well as damage to the nervous system that may impair mental function. At worst, lead poisoning can cause seizures or death.

Recalls and Advisories: ‘Bright Ideas’ light bulbs faked CSA certification, recalled
‘Bright Ideas’ light bulbs faked CSA certification, recalled
Friday, February 2, 2007 | 01:38 PM ET

A Toronto-area importer is recalling its Bright Ideas light bulbs, after tests showed they can create temperatures exceeding allowable limits. The bulbs could potentially overheat light fixtures and pose a fire risk.

bulbs.jpgThe bulbs were imported from China and have counterfeit CSA International trademarks. A genuine CSA label means that a product has been tested by CSA International and has met or exceeded certain standards.

The glass envelope of the light bulbs are printed with the name Encore. Most are sold in orange/yellow boxes marked: “Bright Ideas” and “Imported by Encore Sales, Concord, Ontario L4K 3N7.” Some are sold in plain white unmarked boxes.

The bulbs involved include:

* 100 Watt Soft White, UPC No. 60107 82094

* 150 Watt Tri-light, Soft White, UPC No. 60107 82097

* 60 Watt Country Garden Yellow Bug, UPC No. 60107 82091

* 40 Watt Green Party, UPC No. 60107 82088

* 40 Watt Red Party, UPC No. 60107 82086

* 75 Watt Soft White, UPC No. 60107 83880

* 100 Watt Clear, UPC No. 60107 86412

There have been no reports of injury or damage involving the light bulbs. The bulbs were sold across Canada at various retail outlets. CSA is advising consumers to stop using the light bulbs immediately and throw them out or return them for a refund.