The third Mattel recall concerns various pet and furniture playsets sold under the Barbie brand and Fisher-Price toys. In total, there are 522,000 affected toys in the U.S., and 322,000 affected in the rest of the world including the EU.
The second recall on dangerous toys, received on 16 August, expanded the awareness to Mattel products related to magnetic toys manufactured between January 2002 and 31 January 2007, including various Polly Pocket, Doggie Day Care, and Batman toys as well as an accessory part of a Barbie & Tanner toy.
The first recall notification from its brand Fisher Price, was received by the European Commission on 3 August and concerned products sold between May 2007 and July 2007 that contain illegal levels of lead.
These toys may release small, powerful magnets that can then be swallowed or aspirated by young children or placed by a child in their nose or ears.
The European Commission, in accordance with the EU legislation, sent the two RAPEX [1]notifications received from the British Authorities concerning voluntary recall by Mattel, to the appropriate authorities of all the other Member States responsible for enforcing corrective measures if adequate voluntary steps are not taken.
This news comes after the European Commission confirmed on 10 July the reception of a formal notification from the Spanish Authorities relating to a decision to withdraw, from the Spanish market, two brands of toothpaste of Chinese origin because of a risk to public health.
The brand names were Spearmint and Trileaf Spearmint. Spanish laboratory tests detected the presence of DEG (diethylene glycol) a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent.
For more information of these recalls, please visit:
DG SANCO:
Press release about Toy Safety: EU Consumer Commissioner warns Member States and companies to "raise their game on enforcement of consumer safety law." (12/09/2007)
Third Mattel recall (September 2007)
European Commission to carry out two month review of toy safety controls (September 2007)
Consumer Safety: Products and Services - an overview
RAPEX - Latest notifications
Consumer Affairs
Midday express
Consumers: Mattel expands recall of Chinese toys
EPHA related articles:
Improving safety of children’s toys
Exposure of babies in intensive care to chemical DEHP raises concerns
