Mattel Expands Toy Recall
It was a "Black Tuesday" for Mattel Inc. yesterday as the US toy maker, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, expanded its recall of toys made in China due to possible lead paint and loose magnet hazards. Most recently added to the list are Batman™ and One Piece™ magnetic action figure sets, "Sarge" die cast toy cars, Barbie and Tanner™ play sets, Doggie Day Care™ play sets, and various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets.
CPSC reports that the recalled Batman™ toys include: The Batman™ Magna Battle Armor™ Batman™ figure with model number J1944, The Batman™ Magna Fight Wing™ Batman™ figure with model number J1946, The Batman™ Secret ID™ figure with model number J5114, and The Batman™ Flying Fox™ figure with model number J5115.
The seven-inch tall action figures include the Batman logo on the front and include magnetic accessories. The model number is located on the lower right corner of the tag which is sewn to the figure. The recalled One Piece™ toy is the One Piece™ Triple Slash Zolo Roronoa™ figure with model number J4142. The 5.5-inch-tall action figure has green hair, black pants, and has magnets in his hands which connect to magnets on various swords that the figure can hold. The model number is printed on the back of the action figure's left leg.
Small, powerful magnets inside the accessories of the toy figures can fall out and be swallowed or aspirated by young children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract inside the body and cause intestinal perforation, infection, or blockage which can be fatal.
Surface paints on "Sarge" die cast toy cars, CPSC reports, could contain lead levels in excess of federal standards. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
The recall toy cars measure 2.5 inches long by 1 inch high by 1 inch wide, look like a military jeep, and have the markings "7EA" and "China" on the bottom. The toy car is sold alone or in a package of two, and may have the product number M1253 (for single cars) and K5925 (for cars sold as a set) printed on the packaging. The cars marked "Thailand" are not included in this recall.
A small magnet inside Barbie and Tanner™ play sets' "scooper" accessory can come loose, CPSC says. The recall involves set model numbers J9472 and J9560. Recalled scoopers have a visible, silver-colored, disc-shaped magnet on the end of the scooper. Scoopers with a white material covering the magnet and products manufactured after Jan. 31, 2007 are not recalled.
Various recalled Doggie Day Care play sets have figures and accessories that contain small magnets, these include models: H1532, Doggie Day Care Coco; H1533, Doggie Day Care Sparley; G4461, Doggie Day Care Lula and Baby; G4462, Doggie Day Care Crockett and Baby; G4464, Doggie Day Care Taffy and Baby; G4459; Doggie Day Care Snack Time with Cookie; G4460, Doggie Day Care Diaper Change with Ginger; H1530, Doggie Day Care Ice Cream with Ranger; G9703, Doggie Day Care Puppy Park with Dixie; G4457, Doggie Day Care Dream House Nursery with Honey; and G4458, Doggie Day Care Bath Time with Beau.
Also recalled are various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories that have magnets. The magnets measure 1/8 inch in diameter and are embedded in the hands and feet of some dolls, and in the plastic clothing, hairpieces, and other accessories to help the pieces attach to the doll or to the doll's house.
A model number is printed on the bottom of the largest pieces on some of the play sets. A list of recalled models is available at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07273.html. Products manufactured after Nov. 1, 2006 and are currently on store shelves are not included in this recall.
Consumers are advised to immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel toll-free at 888-597-6597 anytime, or visit www.service.mattel.com.