Mattel, the world's largest toymaker, has issued a fourth recall of toys over potential health risks.
The toymaker said today it is recalling 55,500 Fisher-Price Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Boats worldwide because their paint includes an unacceptably high level of lead.
Some 12,000 units have been sold in the UK and Ireland, 38,000 in the US, and 5,500 in Canada since June this year
The molding and painting of the toys was done by Chinese company Man Shing, which then subcontracted the painting to another firm, Hua Yi, which used "unauthorized paint," according to Mattel.
On Wednesday, Mattel chairman Robert Eckert said the company has "significantly increased" spot testing and other safety protocols after the recall of more than 20 million products made in China.
Review
The recall is the latest to blight the firm, which has been forced to recall millions of toys in recent months which have resulted in a one percent drop in profits over the past three months.
"There is more work to be done to step up controls. The decision by Mattel to provide advance information to the European Commission and the concerned national authorities is a welcome step in the right direction," EU Consumer Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva, said in a statement.
The E.U. is in the middle of a review of its consumer safety procedures, with a particular emphasis on China.
The review is expected to be published Nov. 22.
In a release, Mattel said it is working in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and applicable regulatory agencies in the EU and Canada.
October 25 2007
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