Washington, DC – Three more recalls this week reveal a continuing concern with regard to dangerous levels of lead in children’s toys manufactured in China. The revelations give pause to any manufacturer or importer of goods from that country that hard questions need to be asked with regard to the raw materials used, and if sound manufacturing protocols weighed against North American standards, are being followed.
Cases in point are the following recalls announced this week by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Parragon Inc. Recalls
Parragon Inc. of New York is recalling a number of children’s necklaces with ballet shoes charms sold in association with children’s books. The latter is the distributor of the books and the objects in question, while its United Kingdom counterpart, Parragon Books Ltd of the UK, is the importer of record.
The items were sold at retail chains as well as independent bookstores nationwide from January 2003 through June of this year for about $7.
The concern lies with the solder used in the manufacturing of the necklaces, which could contain high levels of lead. The recalled necklace has a silver-colored chain and charm consisting of a pair of ballet shoes and a bow. The necklace was provided with the purchase of a children’s book entitled, The Magical Ballet Slippers (alternatively titled Ballerina’s Magical Shoes), ISBN 1405411449, published by Parragon Books, Ltd. UPC 9781405411448 is printed on the back of the book. Spanish version, Las zapatillas magicas de la bailarina ISBN 1405448385; UPC 9781405448383. French version, Les petits chaussons magiques ISBN 1405449527; UPC 9781405449526.
There were 500,000 sold.
Action Products International’s Shoelace and Necklace Charms Recalled
Another recall targets Shoelace and Necklace Children’s charms craft kits imported by Action Products International Inc. of Ocala, FLA. The clasp in the kits is known to contain high levels of lead, and could be toxic if ingested.
“Super Dooper Charms” (item #63403) and “Shoelace Charms” (item #67310) craft kits contain components (i.e., charms, beads, wire, clasps) to assemble necklaces, jewelry accessories, or charms that can be hooked on shoelaces, backpacks, or used as zipper pulls. The item number can be found on the back of the package.
The products were sold at various retailers nationwide from July 2007 through April 2008.
Lip Gloss and Jewelry Sold at Wal-Mart Recalled
Finally, lip gloss and jewelry sets sold exclusively at Wal-Mart have been recalled for high levels of lead found in the lobster claw clasp of the bracelet. F.A.F. Inc. of Greenville, Rhode Island imported the products from China, with Wal-Mart serving as the exclusive distributor. The recalled three-piece sets contain a rectangle-shaped lip gloss container, a heart-shaped locket necklace, and a charm bracelet.
Item | Model Number | UPC
Frog Set | 6709-4250 | 72783357703
Monkey Set | 6709-4251 | 72783357704
Cat Set | 6709-4252 | 72783357705
“Faded Glory,” the model number, and UPC are printed on the product’s hangtag.
While there have been no injuries stemming these most recent product recalls, the continuing incidents of lead showing up in goods manufactured in, and imported from China serves as a continued warning to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and importers of goods from China that products containing potentially dangerous levels of lead are continuing to reach consumers.
When you need a lawyer who will exhaustively investigate your case and make sure that every responsible party is held accountable, contact The Killino Firm, where Keeping America Safe is our primary goal. To speak to one of our attorneys, please call us toll free at 800-815-2603, or contact a Philadelphia defective product lawyer via email. We will respond promptly to your inquiry so that you can experience The Killino Firm Difference.
