Lead Poisoning Hazard: Fisher-Price Recalls Licensed Character Toys
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Fisher-Price Inc. (East Aurora, N.Y.), today announced a voluntary recall of 83 toys (about 967,000 total units) because of surface paints that could contain excessive levels of lead. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed, CPSC says.
The long list of affected toys--which includes many Sesame Street and Dora the Explorer figures and accessories--is detailed online at the commission's site, www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07257.html.
The toys were manufactured in China between April 19, 2007, and July 6, 2007, and were sold alone or as part of sets at retail stores nationwide from May 2007 through August 2007 for between $5 and $40. The model names and product numbers for the recalled toys--Elmo Light Up Musical Pal, Bedtime Dora, Dora's Talking House, Go Diego Go Dinosaur Rescue, and dozens of others--are all marked with "Fisher-Price" and have a date code between 109-7LF and 187-7LF marked on the product or packaging.
CPSC says no incidents have been reported but cautions that lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price, CPSC says, adding that consumers will need to return the product and will receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the consumer's choice (up to the value of the returned product). For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at (800) 916-4498 or visit the firm's Web site at www.service.mattel.com.