Toys Fail Toxic Chemical Test

Yesterday at the Women’s Health Expo in Albany, NY, representatives from the Just Green Partnership used a hand-held device called an Innov-X XRF analyzer to test for heavy metals and chemicals in the Take Your Child’s Toys To Work Day Event. According to an article by JULIE A. VARUGHESE, in the Times Union Newspaper, one little girls necklace tested high for lead.

The partnership wants to see three bills signed into law to oversee toxic chemicals in toys.

One bill requires substitutes for phthalates, which have been associated with disruption of hormonal and endocrine systems and are often found in soft plastic toys, and bisphenol A, often found in plastic baby bottles and other containers.

Another bill restricts the use of flame retardants, linked to neurological problems.

A third would regulate the distribution of items that contain lead, which causes an array of neurological problems including lowered IQ and learning disabilities.

PlayWorld Systems Recalls Swing Sets Sold to Day Cares

Yesterday, the CPSC issued a recall on Playworld swing sets sold to day cares and early childhood learning centers in the past year. The swing set recall was due to a faulty part (clevis bearing) which can detach and cause the swing to fall. Over 17,000 swing sets are part of this recall.

How Are Toy Makers Doing Financially After Last Year’s Record Toy Recalls?

Mattel reported a loss for the fist quarter of 2008 due to lower sales of Fisher-Price, legal expenses and higher costs. They are expecting to increase toy prices this year to raise profits.

Hasbro reported a strong first quarter profit on sales of the Transformers , Littlest Pet Shop and Playskool toys.

RC2 plagued with recalls last year on its Thomas and Friends toys reported a lower than expected quarterly profit.

Jakks Pacific maker of Fly Wheels which were recalled last year also reported lower profits due to litigation and product testing costs.

Avon Joins the List of Companies Involved in Child Product Recalls

Today, the CPSC issued two recalls on products for children that Avon sold. The 2006 & 2007 infant Santa outfits sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were recalled due to a choking hazard on the pom-poms and snaps. A Flower Table and Basketball Table sold by Avon in the US were also recalled today due to lead paint.

Last month over 100,000 Cozy Warming Polar Bears sold by Avon were recalled due to a fire hazard when heating the warming pouch.

See rotating pictures on this blog for the latest child product recalls.

8 Companies Agree to Settlement on Drawstring Issue in Children's Clothing

According to the CPSC, the companies listed below have agreed to pay $320,000 in total to settle allegations that they knowingly sold defective products. In 1996, the CPSC issued guidelines on the use of drawstrings in children’s hooded shirts and jackets. The drawstrings are believed to present a risk of strangulation to children.

In 2008 alone, there have already been 8 recalls for girls and boys hooded sweatshirts sold at places such as Marshalls and Nordstroms.


Life is Good Inc.
True Religion Apparel Inc.
The Cayre Group Ltd.
DollarDays International, LLC
Kohl's Department Stores Inc.
Seena International Inc.
Neiman Marcus Group Inc
Gildan Activewear SRL

Interesting Recall Timing on Beco Baby Butterfly Infant Carriers

The CPSC issued a recall today (April 22, 2008) for the Beco Baby Butterfly Infant Carriers. This is the second infant carrier recalled this year (the Ellaroo Infant Sling was recalled on 3/11/2008). As I was entering the recall into the SmartToyChoice.com database, I researched the recall at the http://www.becobabycarrier.com/ site and on their blog, Beco Baby announced the recall on March 7, 2008. Over a month passed from the time the manufacturer announced the recall on a blog to when the CPSC issued a national recall.

Apparently the buckles on the carrier shoulder straps can unexpectedly release tension causing the strap to slip through - which means the baby could fall out. Beco Baby has received 8 reports of the strap slipping though the shoulder buckles but no injuries have been reported.

Rising Toy Prices and the Cost to Parents of Recalled Toys

Toy makers expect toy prices to increase by 5 to 10% by the end of the year. This price increase is apparently not due to all of the toy recalls last year but due to higher wages in China, higher costs of raw materials (plastic has risen by 25% over the past two years due to higher gas prices), and a weaker dollar compared to the Chinese yuan which makes it more expensive to buy Chinese goods.

While we as parents are going to have to pay more for our children’s toys, I would like to point out a statistic that SmartToyChoice follows which is the estimated amount of money parents spend on toys that are recalled. For the 30 toy recalls so far in 2008, the retail value of the toys recalled is $74 million ($611 million in 2007).