Mattel recalls millions of toys
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mattel Inc. (MAT.N), the largest U.S. toy company, recalled millions more Chinese-made toys on Tuesday due to hazards from small, powerful magnets and lead paint, sending its shares down as much as 6 percent.
The toymaker's second recall this month came as Mattel launched a national advertising campaign to assure consumers it is on top of product safety.
The new recall includes 7.3 million Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said there had been reports of three children swallowing more than one magnet and suffering intestinal perforations that required surgery. When more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.
Also recalled on Tuesday due to magnet dangers were 1 million Doggie Day Care, 683,000 Barbie and Tanner play sets, and 345,000 Batman and One Piece play sets. No injuries were reported from those items.
About 253,000 Pixar Sarge die-cast toy cars with lead paint were also recalled. No injuries were reported in connection with the toys.
Lead has been linked to health problems in children, including brain damage.
Earlier this month Mattel's Fisher-Price unit recalled about 1.5 million preschool toys made by China-based contract manufacturer Lida Toy Co. because the paint on the toys might contain excessive amounts of lead. The global recall included products based on popular preschool characters from "Sesame Street" and "Dora the Explorer."
"The safety of children is our primary concern, and we are deeply apologetic to everyone affected," Mattel Chief Executive Robert Eckert said in a statement on Tuesday. "Mattel has rigorous procedures, and we will continue to be vigilant and unforgiving in enforcing quality and safety."
The earlier recall was Mattel's largest since 1998, when it recalled 10 million Power Wheels vehicles made by Fisher-Price, and the company said it expected to take a $30 million charge from the action.
News of the second recall came as an owner of the Chinese toy factory at the center of the first recall was reported to have committed suicide.
Mattel took out a full-page ad in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today, featuring a picture of three children playing together and a letter to "Fellow Parents" from Eckert.
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our children," the Mattel CEO wrote.
"Our long record of safety at Mattel is why we're one of the most trusted names with parents. And I am confident that the actions we are taking now will maintain that trust."
Mattel shares were down 82 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $22.75 in morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange after falling as low as $22.10 earlier in the session.
List of toys in Mattel recall
By The Associated Press
B2632 Polly Pocket! Polly Place Hangin' Out House
B3158 Polly Pocket! Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse
B3201 Polly Pocket! Spa Day
B7118 Polly Totally! Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner
G8605 Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik Boutique
H1537 Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset
H1538 Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset
H3211 Polly Pocket! Totally Zen Playset
55503 Polly Pocket! Happenin' Pet Station
B2631 Polly Pocket! Polly Place Magnetic Additions Assortment
B3203 Polly Pocket! Activity Lunchbox
B3204 Polly Pocket! Activity Locker
B3207 Polly Pocket! Collectible Lip Gloss
B3209 Polly Pocket! Collectible Make Up Powder Puff
B3210 Polly Pocket! Dip N' Dive Pool
B3396 Polly Pocket! Birthday Surprise
B7078 Polly Pocket! Dazzlin' Pet Show Divine Dogs
B7082 Polly Pocket! Rick's Magic Show
B7125 Polly Pocket! Sweet Treats
B7127 Polly Pocket! Birthday Mailbox
B7128 Polly Pocket! Stretch Polly Disco Lamp
B7129 Polly Pocket! Jewelry Box Purple
B8478 Polly Pocket! Polly Magnet Bus
B9521 Polly Pocket! Collectible Caboodle
B9522 Polly Pocket! Activity Lunch Box Pink
B9523 Polly Pocket! Activity Locker Orange
B9525 Polly Pocket! Polly Glitter Puff
B9578 Polly Pocket! Collectible Caboodle Purple
B9929 Polly Pocket! Fashion Boutique on the Go
C0504 Polly Pocket! Birthday Mailbox Pink
C0505 Polly Pocket! Jewelry Box Yellow
C1341 Polly Pocket! Disco Lamp
C1342 Polly Pocket! Disco Lamp Purple
G8602 Polly Pocket! Mermaid Stars
G8606 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Playset
G8612 Polly Pocket! Snow Cool Hotel
G8614 Polly Pocket! Quick Click House of Style Playset
G8615 Polly Pocket! Polly by Me Totally Beadiful
G8616 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Penthouse
H1553 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Movie Time Playset
J1659 Polly Pocket! Pollywood Limo-Scene Vehicle
J1661 Polly Pocket! Pollywood Dial A Style Lila
J1662 Polly Pocket! Pollywood Dial A Style Lea
J1670 Polly Pocket! Stick N' Style
J1681 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Rockin' Theme Park Playset
J1687 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Dress N' Drive Lounge Playset
J1695 Pollyworld Theme Park Party Quick Click Doll and Fashion
J4169 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Polly Doll
J4170 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Crissy Doll
J4171 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Lea Doll
J4172 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Shani Doll
J9305 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Costume Art Lea
J9306 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Gift Shop Lila
J9648 Polly Pocket! Twirl and Swirl Beauty Case
J9965 Pollyworld Dial a Song Polly Fashions
J9966 Pollyworld Dial a Song Polly Fashions
K3460 Pollyworld Rockin' Tour Bus
H1554 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Pool Party Playset
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
G4458 Doggie Day Care Bath Time with Beau
J9472 Barbie and Tanner play set
J9560 Barbie and Tanner play set
M1253 "Sarge" toy car sold alone
K5925 "Sarge" toy car sold in a package of two
J1944 Batman Magna Battle Armor Batman figure
J1946 Batman Magna Fight Wing Batman figure
J5114 Batman Secret ID figure
J5115 Batman Flying Fox figure
J4142 One Piece Triple Slash Zolo Roronoa figure
I don't mean to stir up xenophobia, but this bugs me. Lead paint in toys? Have we outsourced too much manufacturing to China? Are these just isolated incidents, or should we be more vigilant about chinese imports?
[Edited by - basketballjones on 08-14-2007 12:40]https://
It's not so hard.
