Be a Detective...
...Before You Buy!

Toy Safety Statistics and Recall Information.

This page is perpetually under construction, much to our dismay

Standards and Regulations

Latest Recalls:

Recalls by Year, 1997-2007 (Summary Data)

Recalls by Company, 2006-2007 (Summary Data)

About Lead Paint Standards and Federal Law

Lead paint standards were set by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), 15 U.S.C. Subsection 1261(f)(1). Under federal guidelines, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has "by regulation, banned (1) paint and other similar surface coatings that contain more than 0.06% lead ("lead-containing paint), (2) toys and other articles intended for use by children that bear lead-containing paint, and (3) furniture articles for consumer use that bear lead-containing paint." (16 CFR Part 1303). According to the statement of scope and application in 16 CRF Chapter II (1-1-04 Edition) Subsection 1303.1, the 6% lead calculation is base on the "weight of the total non-volatile content of the paint or the weight of the dried paint film." The standards apply to products manufacture after February 27, 1978, as defined in section 3(a)(1) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (1973), which established the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The 6% (or 600 parts per million) standard was introduced in 1998 under the Clinton Administration for toys and other products used by infants, which may account for the reason that Lead recall were not as much of an issue prior to 1999 as they have been since.
At this time, neither the US Product Safety Commission nor officials in China have explained why there has been a signficant increase in lead in products in 2007 (27 recalls for lead in 2007, up from 4 in 2006). Indeed, there have been more lead based recalls in October 2007 than in all of 2005 (which had the highest number of lead based recalls previously). Of the 229 individual toys recalled thus far in 2007 (different from the number of recalls since some recalls cover multiple products), 96.5% (221 products) were manufactured in China and the remaining 3.5% (8 products) were manufactured in Hong Kong. One possible explanation may well be environmental degradation, i.e. increased levels of lead in the ground and surface water used to thin paints and other water-based finishes (see New York Times article on China's environmental problems). Unfortunately, we may never know what has caused the sudden increase in products with unacceptable lead levels.
According to the CPSC, "The mission of United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is to reduce unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths from consumer products, and to assist consumers in evaluating the comparative safety of consumer products." According to the New York Times (reconfirming congressional testimony by CPSC), the Consumer Product Safety Commission currently has 420 employees to oversee all product safety nationally, and:
"At the agency's cramped laboratory, a lone employee is charged with testing suspected defective toys from across the nation. At the nearby headquarters, safety initiatives have been stalled or dropped after dozens of jobs were eliminated in budget cutbacks."
To put it in perspective, the Canadian Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch of Health Canada has 1,200 employees. Given the broad range of products sold in the U.S., it would be virutally impossible for the CPSC to proactively test all products before they are introduced on the market. Currently, companies are not required to test their products for lead or other safety hazards before putting the products on store shelves. As PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) notes in their executive summary for Trouble in Toyland: 21st Annual Toy Safety Survey, "the CPSC does not test all toys, and not all toys on store shelves meet CPSC standards...examine toys carefully for potential dangers before you make a purchase."
Guidance for Lead in Consumer Products (US Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Information, Regulations, and Guidance about Lead in Consumer Products (US Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Trouble in Toyland: 21st Annual Toy Safety Survey (11/21/2006).
Safety Agency Faces Scrutiny Amid Changes (New York Times, 09/02/2007)
U.S./Chinese Product Safety Agencies Improved Product Safety Agreement (September 11, 2007)

The SAFE Consumer Product Act, Summary (Introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, and Rep. Diana DeGette, D-CO, 28 September 2007)

Evaluation of Home Lead Test Kits (CPSC Staff Study, 22 October 2007)

Articles of Interest

Congressional Testimony on Toy Safety, 2007

Note: The transcripts from the most recent hearings are not available at this time. We will add them as they become available.

Presidential Candidates Positions on Toy Safety and the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Barack Obama

    Obama Calls on President to Take Immediate Action to Protect Our Children From Lead- Tainted Toys Press Release. Senate Website. 15 August 2007

    Obama Vows to Protect Kids and Ban Toys with lead Press Release. Presidential Campaign Website. 23 December 2007

    Note: In 2005, Obama introduced the "Lead Free Toys Act." Presidential Campaign Press Release. It should be noted that Hillary Clinton was one of 3 co-sponsors of the original bill. The other two were Richard Durban of Illinois and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland.

     

    Campaign Proposals:

    Double the funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and make sure it has the inspectors it needs to ensure that the goods we're buying are safe.

    Expand the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulatory powers, and help the agency respond quickly and efficiently when it's alerted to a problem.

    Increase fines for companies that fail to disclose known safety hazards with the products they're making.

    Appoint a chairman with a proven record of standing up for consumer safety.

     

Hillary Clinton

    Hillary Clinton Calls for Ensuring the Safety of Toys Imported from China as the Holiday Season Begins Press Release. Presidential Campaign Website. 23 November 2007

    Hillary Clinton Statement on Recent Recall of Toys. Press Release. Presidential Campaign Website. 5 September 2007

    Hillary Clinton Announces Plan to Ensure Toy Safety for Children. Press Release. Presidential Campaign Website. 18 August 2007

    Campaign Proposals (Product Safety)

    Implement a broad import safety agenda, including:

    Creating a single food safety agency responsible for overseeing all federal food safety activities.

    Banning lead in children’s products.

    Requiring independent third-party testing for imported toys.

    Holding foreign producers of drugs, toys, and food to American safety requirements, and holding importers liable for the products they bring into this country.

    Imposing stiffer civil penalties and pursuing criminal prosecutions against companies that put our children and citizens at risk.

    Increasing the number of inspectors at ports of entry and in foreign countries to verify that our safety rules are being followed.

    Mandating and fully funding Country of Origin Labeling.

    Appointing a Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission whose first priority is protecting the public - not industry.

 

John McCain

    Editor's Note: If Mr. McCain has made any statements about product safety or toy safety, we couldn't find it. The subject was not included on his presidential website, nor was it on his congressional site. We could find lots of comments on the war, terrorism, and 2nd Amendment rights, but nothing on what he would do to ensure product safety. If anyone out there can find Mr. McCain's position, please email us and we will add it to the page.

 

Latest Recalls:

Note: Please read the full information on the product. In some cases, only specific variations of a product are being recalled, rather than the entire product line.

  1. April, 2008

    1. Lithium-polymer battery chargers and lithium-polimer batteries, used with AT600 Falcon Helicopter kit recalled by Hobby-Lobby International Inc. of Brentwood, TN. Manufactured by Art-Tech R/C Hobby Co. Ltd. of Shenzhen, China. No. of units: 3,200. Sold at Hobby-Lobby. 04/06 - 07/07. Country of origin.
    2. Interchange Robot Toys recalled by OKK Trading Inc. of Commerce, CADue to Violation of Lead Paint Standard. 9 April 2008. No. of units: 2,000. Sold at Dollar stores nationwide. 10/07 - 12/07. Country of origin: China.
    3. Little Builder Children's Board Book Sets with Toys recalled by Dalmatian Press Due to Choking Hazard. 8 April, 2008. No. of units: 17,000. Wal-Mart, Levy Home Entertainment, Lion Sales of NW Brunswick, Farris Wholesale Outlet, Crane Book Sales, Ingram Book Co., BPDI Corp., Books A Million and Christmas Tree Shop stores nationwide and on the Internet at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com. 08/07 - 02/08. Country of origin: China.
    4. Fun 'N Games Magnetic Dart Boards recalled by Henry Gordy Int'l; Ingested magnets pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards. 8 April, 2008. No. of uints: 870,000. Sold at Family Dollar stores nationwide. 09/02-03/08. Country of origin: China.
    5. Cuddly Cousins Plush Insect Toys recalled by Dollar Tree Stores Due to Choking Hazard. 7 April 2008. No. of units: about 300,000. Sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1, and Deal$ stores nationwide. 03/07 - 12/07. Country of origin.
    6. Imaginarium Multi-Sided Activity Centers and Jungle Activity Centers recalled by Toys "R" Us recalled due to Choking Hazard. 3 April 2008.No. of Units: 16,400. Sold at Toys 'R' Us. Made by Taizhou Orient Toys Company Ltd and Shanghai Cosmos Gift Industry Compay Ltd of Shanghai, China. 08/07- 02/08. Country of Origin: China.

March, 2008

  1. Plush Rocker Toys recalled by Tek Nec Toys Due to Fall Hazard. 27 March 2008. No. of units: 122,000. Sold at Wal-Mart, Toys "R" Us, Kmart, Target, Atwoods, and Pamida. 9/07-3/08. Country of Origin: China.
  2. Ring Toss Games recalled by Educational Insights due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard. 26 March 2008. No.of units: 130. Sold at school supply stores. 12/07-02/08. Country of Origin: Hong Kong.
  3. Toy Penguins recalled by Plan Toys Inc. Due to Laceration Hazard. 25 March 2008. No. of Units: 3000. Sold at specialty toy stores nationwide. 05/07-02/08. Country of Origin: Thailand.
  4. Easter Egg Containers and Spinning Egg Tops recalled by Hobby Lobby Stores Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standards. 21 March 2008. No. of units: 13,000. Sold at Hobby Lobby Stores nationwide. 01/08-03/08. Country of Origin: China.
  5. Toy Puzzle Vehicle Sets recalled due to Violation of Lead Paint Standards, sold exclusively at QVC. 20 March 2008. No. of units: 198,000. Sold by QVC. 9/02-12/07. Country of origin: China.
  6. MEGA Brands Recalls Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-School Magnetic Toys; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards. 17 March 2008. No. of units: 1.1 million. Sold by Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, K-Mart and other toy stores nationwide. 1/05-12/07. Country of origin: China.
  7. MEGA Brands Recalls MagnaMan Magnetic Action Figures; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards. 17 March 2008. No. of units: 1.3 million. Sold by: Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, K-Mart and other toy stores nationwide. 1/05-12/07. Country of origin: China.
  8. Additional Magnetic Construction Sets recalled by Battat; intested magnets pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards. 2nd Recall. 13 March 2008. No. of units: 7,000. Sold by various retailers nationwide. 07/05-02/08. Country of origin: China.
  9. Play Wonder Toy Sundae Sets sold at Target recalled by Battat Inc. Due to Choking Hazard. 13 March 2008. No. of units: 22,000. Sold at Target. 12/06 - 12/07. Country of origin: China.
  10. X Force Commander Toy Airplanes and Super Famous Toy Cars and Motorcycles recalled by S.U. Wholesale due to violation of Lead Paint Standard. 12 March 2008. No. of units: 5,000. Sold at Dollar Stores nationwide. 9/06 - 11/07. Country of origin: China.

February, 2008

  1. FUN ‘N SAFE Magnetic Dart Boards recalled by Family Dollar; ingested magnets pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards. 22 February 2008. No. of units: 250,000. Sold by Family Dollar of Charlotte, NC. 01/01-01/08. Courntry of origin: China.
  2. Cinderella 12-Volt Electric Ride-On Vehicles recalled by Dumar International USA, of Franklin, MA Due to Fire and Burn Hazards. 19 February 2008. No. of units 65,000. Sold by Walmart. 08/05-02/06. Country of origin: China.
  3. Remote-Controlled "Fun2Fly Microcopter-Helicopter Toys recalled by Soft Air USA Due to Fire and Burn Hazards. 12 February 2008. No. of units: 30,000. Sold at sporting goods stores and other retailers nationwide. 05/07-12/07. Courntry of Origin: China.
  4. Transparent Toy Egg Shakers recalled by West Music due to Choking and Aspiration Hazards. 7 February 2008. No. of units: 5,500. Sold at West Music stores, catalog, and exhibition booths nationwide3. 10/06-12/07. Courntry of Origin: China.
  5. Children's Toy Gardening Rakes recalled by Downeast Concepts due to violation of Lead Paint Standard. 5 February 2008. No. of units: 400. Home improvement and toy stores nationwide. Manufacturer: Zhongshan Foods of China. 06/07-11/07. Country of Origin: China.

January, 2008

  1. Baby Einstein Baby Neptune™ Soothing Seascape Crib Toys recalled by Kids II due to Choking Hazard. 31 January 2008. No. of units: 15,000. Sold at Discount department stores and on-line retailers nationwide. 11/07-01/08. Country of origin: China.
  2. Big Wooden Blocks and Jumbo Wooden Train Sets recalled by Christmas Tree Shops due to Violation of Lead Paint Standards. 24 January 2008. No. of units: 15,000. Manufacturer: First Learning Company Ltd., of Hong Kong. Sold at Christmas Tree Shops located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. 10/06-11/07. Country of origin: China
  3. Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems (293 piece and 180 piece) recalled by Battat Inc. of Plattsburg NY Due to Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards. 23 January 2008. No. of units: 125,000. Sold at various retailers nationwide and online sellers. 2005-2007. Country of Origin: China.
  4. Toy Racing Cars recalled by OKK Trading Inc. of Commerce, CA for Violation of Lead Paint Standard. 23 January 2008. No. of units: 2,000. Sold at retail dollar and discount stores nationwide. 10/07-11/07. Country of origin: China.
  5. Cranium Cadoo Board Games recalled by Cranium Inc. of Seattle, WA Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard. 17 January 2008. No. of units: 38,000. Sold at Fred Meyer, Kmart, Shopko, Wal-Mart and specialty game stores nationwide. 10/07-01/08. Country of origin: China.
  6. "My First Kenmore" Play Stoves recalled by Sears and Kmart Due to Tip-over Hazard. 17 January 2008. No. of units: 17,000. Sold at Sears and Kmart. 9/07-11/07. Country of origin: Taiwan.
  7. Toy Wrestler Figures recalled by A.A. of America of East Brunswick, NJ Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard.. 15 January, 2008. No. of units: 5,400. Sold at Dollar stroes and discount stores nationwide. 01/07 - 12/07. Country of origin: China.
  8. Metal Toy Wagons recalled by Tricam Industries due to Violation of Lead Paint Standards. 3 January 2008. No. of units: 15,000. Sold at Tractor Supply Co. nationwide. 09/02 - 11/07. Country of origin: China.

 

 

©Dorsett Publications, LLC.
Last Updated: 15 April, 2008
Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Dorsett Publications Webmaster