GERMANY/ UK: Millions of Mattel toys recalled in Europe

German and British toy stores began removing certain "Mattel" products from shelves as the American toymaker recalled millions of items due to hazards from small, powerful magnets and lead paint. America's largest toy company has recalled millions of Chinese-made toys for safety reasons. Mattel is concerned at potential hazards like small, powerful magnets and lead paint. It's the second time this month the company's recalled a number of toys, on this occasion over 18 million magnetic toys globally, over half in the United States. All have magnets or magnetic parts that can be dislodged. Germany and Britain were among the European countries affected. Toyshops began removing toys including Barbie and Batman dolls from their shelves. Mattel in Germany said it was recalling one million toys from the German market. "These toys are sold in such large numbers which unfortunately means they are found in a lot of children's bedrooms," said Alfred Westenhoefer, a toy store manager in Bonn. "The reason for the recall is that we obviously cannot deny that lead on toys is dangerous," said a spokeswoman for Mattel Germany Regina Meyer. The European Commission, which oversees consumer safety across the European Union, said it had not been notified of any recalls under RAPEX, the bloc's rapid alert system under which countries must immediately report any cases of unsafe products. Nearly two million toys sold in Britain and Ireland were also being recalled due to concerns linked to small magnetic toys. Gary Grant, chairman of the Toy Retailers' Association in the UK, said Mattel had handled the situation very responsibly. A spokesman for Mattel in Belgium said the company had issued a "voluntary recall" of products across the 27-member bloc. He could not say how many products in total would have to be returned across the whole of the EU. Earlier this month Mattel recalled 1.5 million of its toys worldwide sold through its Fisher-Price unit and made in China, including popular Sesame Street characters Elmo and Big Bird, over concerns their paint might contain too much lead. 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.

ITN Source | August 15, 2007

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