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Third recall for China-made toys Third recall for China-made toys
(about 4 hours later)
The world's biggest toymaker, Mattel, has announced its third major recall of Chinese-made products in a month.The world's biggest toymaker, Mattel, has announced its third major recall of Chinese-made products in a month.
About three-quarters of a million toys are being recalled because they are decorated with paint containing too much lead, the US company said.About three-quarters of a million toys are being recalled because they are decorated with paint containing too much lead, the US company said.
They include Barbie doll accessories and toy trains.They include Barbie doll accessories and toy trains.
Mattel chairman Bob Eckert apologised again, but stressed the faults had come to light because the company had recently introduced enhanced testing. Mattel apologised again but stressed the faults had come to light because the company had recently introduced enhanced testing.
"You have my promise that if we find any other issues, we'll continue to do the right thing, we'll let you know about it," Mr Eckert said in a message posted on the company's website. 'Open'
"We are being, open, honest and forthright with consumers with what has been going on," Brian Stockton, a senior Mattel executive, told the BBC.
"We are hopeful consumers will judge us by our actions not by the fact that we discovered some sub-contractors who did not do the right thing."
In the last month it has recalled 18 million China-made toys - because their paint was found to contain lead.In the last month it has recalled 18 million China-made toys - because their paint was found to contain lead.
Parents were also urged to return other items which had small magnets that may come loose.Parents were also urged to return other items which had small magnets that may come loose.
The recalled Barbie accessories include:
  • Dream Puppy House Playset (J9485) sold since 13 October 2006, because of the paint on the dog
  • Dream Kitty Condo Playset (J9486) sold since 13 October 2006, because of the paint on the cat
  • Table & Chairs Kitchen Playset (K8606) sold since 30 October 2006 because of the paint on two dinner plates, the dog, the crisp bowl and the salad bowl
  • Bathtub & Toilet Bathroom Playset (K8607) sold since 30 October because of the brown colour on the cat
  • Futon & Table Living Room Playset (K8608) sold since 30 October 2006 because of the brown colour on the cat
  • Desk & Chair Bedroom Playset (K8609) sold since 30 October 2006 because of the brown colour on the dog
  • Couch & Table Living Room Playset (K8613) sold since 30 October 2006 because of the yellow flower on the handbag.
Inspection callInspection call
In the past week, US branches of the retailer Toys R Us have recalled 27,000 Chinese-made paint and crayon sets after the wooden box packaging was found to contain lead.In the past week, US branches of the retailer Toys R Us have recalled 27,000 Chinese-made paint and crayon sets after the wooden box packaging was found to contain lead.
A fortnight ago, about 300,000 items were recalled by US retailers including SpongeBob SquarePants spiral address books. and diaries, Thomas the Tank Engine spinning tops and some toy buckets sold in the US.A fortnight ago, about 300,000 items were recalled by US retailers including SpongeBob SquarePants spiral address books. and diaries, Thomas the Tank Engine spinning tops and some toy buckets sold in the US.
China has not commented on the latest recall but it earlier pointed out that of the billions of goods it produces every year, only a fraction are found to be faulty.China has not commented on the latest recall but it earlier pointed out that of the billions of goods it produces every year, only a fraction are found to be faulty.
Beijing was quick to act after the first Mattel recall, revoking the licence to manufacture goods at a firm in Guangdong province.Beijing was quick to act after the first Mattel recall, revoking the licence to manufacture goods at a firm in Guangdong province.
The first two Mattel recalls included Chinese-made Sarge die-cast toys from the Pixar film Cars, as well as some toys including Polly Pocket, which contained small magnets that could come loose.The first two Mattel recalls included Chinese-made Sarge die-cast toys from the Pixar film Cars, as well as some toys including Polly Pocket, which contained small magnets that could come loose.
That recall prompted a US senator to call for all toys imported into the country from China to be inspected.That recall prompted a US senator to call for all toys imported into the country from China to be inspected.
Since the initial recall, Mattel has carried out inspections of all toy shipments from Asia as well as an audit of all its suppliers.
'No sympathy'
Christopher Devereux, managing director of ChinaSavvy, which helps foreign buyers find Chinese factories that make products such as plastic parts, said foreign buyers must constantly monitor and inspect their Chinese suppliers.
"I really don't have any sympathy for Mattel," he said. "There's no excuse to let so much product go through with lead in its paint. They should be testing.
"It's not difficult. There are hundreds of quality control laboratories in China."