Note: Click here for an updated list of the toy recalls so far this year.
Fisher Price and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the recall of almost one million (967,000) toys due to possible lead contamination.
The recalled Fisher Price toys, including Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer and other licensed characters, were manufactured in China. This is not the first time a large toy recall has been made because of lead being used to paint our children’s toys from China. About 1.5 Million Thomas and Friends wooden railway toys were recalled in mid-June due to surface paints containing lead.
Note: This is a blog and by its nature a blog is an editorial venue. If you wish to skip my rant about how sickening it is that 2.5 million toys went to market in the last few months with lead paint on them, please Click Here to skip to the facts about this recall.
When is our government going to do something about this? When is there going to be more oversight of the imported products being produced in China, a country with virtually no environmental or health regulations? A recall is just that – The Recall of products that have already hit the market. These Fisher Price toys are already being used by children. They were already on the shelves for the entirety of May, June and July, and sold at retail stores across the US.
We can’t afford to keep catching these things AFTER they get into circulation. How many parents will not hear about this toy recall? How many children will continue to play with these recalled Fisher Price toys, sticking them in their mouths, sucking the lead paint right off of the toy?
Lead is a cumulative poison, meaning it builds up over time until the damage it causes is irreversible including: peripheral neuropathy, a paralysis in the hands and legs caused by damaged peripheral nerves, and encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease – among many other adverse health effects associated with lead poisoning or long-term exposure to lead, especially in children.
We simply can NOT afford to keep catching these things after they hit the market! Tell your state representatives to put pressure on the CPSC, the corporations bringing this stuff in from China, and our border / port inspection services. I am willing to pay an extra few dollars for a child’s toy if it means it was made in a country with some oversight. Americans should boycott products made in China until they do something about this!
Yes, boycotting Chinese products is difficult when it seems like 90% of the products we buy come from China. But if the government isn’t going to do anything about this other than warn consumers after the fact, and corporations are going to continue to let products go into the market place without testing them for something as simple as lead paint… whose responsibility does it become to protect ourselves and our children?
How to Find Out If You Have a Recalled Fisher Price Toy
These toys were manufactured in China and sold at retail stores across the US from May 2007 through August 2007 for between $5 and $40. For a complete list of recalled Fisher Price toys, see below. The recall involves various figures and toys that were manufactured between April 19, 2007 and July 6, 2007 and were sold alone or as part of sets. The model names and product numbers for the recalled toys, which are all marked with “Fisher-Price,” are listed below. The toys may have a date code between 109-7LF and 187-7LF marked on the product or packaging.
What to Do if You Have a Recalled Fisher Price Toy
Immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price. Consumers will need to return the product and you will receive a voucher for a replacement toy of your choice (up to the value of the returned product). For additional information contact Fisher-Price at (800) 916-4498 anytime.
Fisher Price Toy Recall List
| 33662 Elmo Light Up Musical Pal
33664 Big Bird Light Up Musical Pal 39038 Elmo Tub Sub 87946 Elmo Keyboard 90609 Elmo Collectible 90612 Zoe Collectible 90614 Big Bird Collectible 93068 Elmo Boom Box 93307 Press N Go Elmo 93492 Cookie Saxophone 93615 Splash Tub Puzzle B7554 Count To Beat Elmo B7987 Elmo In The Giggle Box B9620 Dora’s Talking House C6908 Dora, Backpack, Perrito Figure Pack C6909 Diego Figure Pack C6911 Boots, Tico Figure Pack G5112 Sing With Elmo’s Greatest Hits H2943 Grow With Me Elmo Sprinkler H3344 Birthday Dora H5570 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Zoe, Bigbird) H4628 Water Fun Tote H8237 Blue 3 Pack Figures In Tube H9124 Chef Dora H9186 Giggle Grabber Ernie J0338 Diego Talking Field Journal J0344 Go Diego Go Deep Sea Rescue J0346 Go Diego Go Talking Rescue 4 X 4 J5936 Giggle Grabber Chef Cookie Monster J6537 Sesame Street Giggle Toolbelt J6763 Royal Boots And Tico J7983 Sesame Street Tub Pots & Pans J9692 Dora’s Talking Pony Place K3414 Diego – Talking Gadget Belt K3580 Fairytale Adventure Dora K4140 Toucan Motorcycle Rescue L3194 Surprise Inside Diego Eggs L3488 Sesame Street Birthday Figure Pack L3507 Sesame Street – Super Boom Box L5202 Birthday Dora L8905 Pablo & Pals M0352 Dora Figures Diego & Bear M0527 Sesame Street Giggle Doodler M2051 Lets Go Rescue Center |
33663 Ernie Light Up Musical Pal
34658 Elmo Stacking Rings 39054 Sesame Street Shape Sorter 90267 Ernie Splashin’ Fun Trike 90611 Cookie Collectible 90613 Ernie Collectible 90745 Construction Playset 93107 Action Fire Engine 93308 Rev & Go Cookie Monster 93493 Elmo’s Guitar 93780 Music And Lights Phone B7888 Shake, Giggle & Roll B7989 Silly Parts Talking Elmo C6910 Swiper Figure Pack G3825 Dora Talking Vamonos Van G9717 Giggle Doodler H3343 Cousin Daisy H5569 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Cookie, Ernie) H4187 Dora Figures In Tube H8236 Dora 3 Pack Figures In Tube H8238 Sponge Bob 3 Pack Figures In Tube H9125 Bedtime Dora H9188 Giggle Grabber Oscar The Grouch J0343 Go Diego Go Antarctic Rescue J0345 Go Diego Go Mountain Rescue J5935 Giggle Grabber Soccer Elmo J6762 Queen Mami J6765 Prince Diego J9518 Sesame Street Giggle Drill K0617 Twins Nursery K3571 Go Diego Go Mobile Rescue Unit K4139 Go Diego Go Dinosaur Rescue L0305 Dora Figure L3215 Sesame Street Elmo Jack-In-The-Box L5813 Diego Tub Trike M0351 Dora Figures Dora & Kitty M0524 Go Diego Go Talking Gadget M0732 Dora’s Talking House M2052 Fairytale Castle |
Above are three examples of the products affected in this Fisher Price Toy Recall.
This is Freaking Ridiculous! Parents – actually ALL Americans – should start boycotting these cheap Chinese products until they learn how to regulate their industries a little better, or at least until our own government forces corporations to be more responsible and actually test products before they go onto shelves!
I agree that Chinese products need to be boycotted, but such actions are moot as long as the big box marts are still thriving in this country. They are the reason that labor is shipped overseas in the first place. Just because a product costs less money doesn’t mean it is better. Americans need to place less emphasis on finding a better deal, and start demanding higher quality products produced in areas with high environmental and business standards.
Help stop globalization from continuing to be a race to the bottom.
Chinese products are made by large US corporations in China. Boycotting these products will mean these companies have to turn to other cheap labor countries with even less regulations in order for them to stay in business.
If we boycott a significant amount of Chinese products we will have a major inflation problem in US really fast.
Another possibility is to have an American watchdog coop to test these products.
Many, many products(all types) that we use in this country and others, all come from China, and although this is terrible, we are all hard-pressed to find things made here. I try very hard to find things that are made here. A few weeks ago on NPR radio they had a lady on, that attempted this very thing with her family, and although it was not entirely impossible, it took a very long time to track down everything she had from China, get it out of her house, and find American made replacements(a huge array of products, everything imaginable). It was a large expense as well, (although this is least important when comparing to the cost of a life). Boycotting is a start, though. I wish everyone cared, instead of a handful, as I wish everyone in the world cared about all the species that are headed for extinction, because of us. There are so many heartbreaking issues out there, that need desperate help. I try my best to do my part, but I must admit, my heart does fill with sorrow about it all, so much, and sometimes I feel so helpless to stop the downward spiral.
This IS freakins ridiculous!!!! I have 3 kida and one is 9 months. So everything goes in his mouth! I HAVE EVERY TOY ON THIS LIST!!!!! It took a very long time to dig through all my kids toys and find them all. It is sad when american families are scared to go to the toy store and buy their kids a toy because they dont know if its going to make them sick or not!!
Should we be boycotting Chinese products or American companies like fisher price who don’t know how to manage their Chinese factory?
Your car is actually had more components from China than any other country unless you drive a luxury car or SUV.
I think some people are missing the point. Sure, you can’t possibly boycott 100% of the products coming from China. Our economy would probably collapse. But what we can do is spend the extra few dollars when it comes between a product made here in the US or in a country with higher health, worker’s rights and environmental standards than China. What we CAN do is what this post talks about – write your congress person and tell them to represent your views in Washingtong. Tell them you DEMAND higher standards and that catching these things after the fact just isn’t good enough! Tell them you want corporations to be hel accountable not just by the threat of lawsuit but because it IS the law. And our own government needs to step up the pace as well. We’re over in Iraq fighting for what??? If a terrorist really wanted to get to America all they would have to do is dump some toxic chemicals into some product made in China and we would just let it walk right into our borders unchecked.
Nobody would know until there was a recall announced and thousands had already died.
It’s a G-Damn Shame!
I have been refusing to buy products made in China for many years now, and for many reasons. When I buy something online that is marked as “imported” I always email the company to find out the country of origin. It has become increasingly more difficult and frustrating to find anything not made in China, but I don’t give in unless there is absolutely no other choice. I wish more people would pay attention to what they are buying and where it is made! Perhaps things might cost more if they were manufactured somewhere else – but that is probably a good thing and might help to curve the huge overconsumption issue we have!
As a mother of two I am very upset about the lead that is being using in/on our children’s products, and who knows maybe even ours. The most shocking thing to me is that these products that have been recalled are because of excessive lead. What exactly does that mean? Does that mean that all other products have lead in them but in a safe amount? So, let’s take a little lead from this toy, that is in a “safe” amount, and some more from another toy, again in a “safe” amount…keep doing this and some where down the line doesn’t it become unsafe? Why do these products contain lead at all? I am sorry but lead in/on any toy or anything is not safe in my opinion. I am going to be more aware of the products that I am purchasing for my children and will let them know that certain toys are unsafe for them. I hope others will do the same and I hope this country can put in place better regulations for products that are made over seas and then sold here in our country.
I have been boycotting all products “Made in China” for sometime now. The real question is where are all the American Made products? I won’t even buy fish/seafood if it is a from another country. I would rather pay more and support our own country! Time for more of us to stop buying foreign made products and support our own economy! Go AMERICAN!
are the electronic toys being recalled cause my kids have some and it will really suck if they really love their toy
This is frightening. My daughter was born 3.5 months early 3 years ago. She is disabled (CP) and developmentally delayed with a chronic lung disease. She mouths all toys! I contacted Mattel beginning of August and have not yet received any information. Not to mention the toys she has, there are no product numbers listed on them, just the “DOM” and they all say China! We bought them on July 13th, 2007! So frustrating!
It is difficult to find toys let alone anything else Made in USA, however as long as American THRIVE off of CHEAP goods then nothing will ever be done! Remember: CHEAP=MADE IN CHINA!! Furthermore we have even more to worry about than Lead Paint in our childrens toys, don’t forget about the Petroleum based, chemical rich plastics such as PVC, phthalates, bisphenol A, etc. Don’t be fooled by the “non-toxic” lable on these toys!!
So rather than buying a bazillion toys for your child during their birthday or holiday’s, think about all the toxins that are in the toys and consider buying a slightly more expensive, Made in the USA or Made in Germany/European Union toy that is free of chemicals!!
I believe we need to BAN all products from China and other countries.Bring back jobs to our United States citizens and keep our children safe and protected!
I am so thankful at this moment that we don’t have a bunch of money to blow on kids toys. Didn’t realize this upside of lower middle class before:)
I am a mother of three young children who are all fighting lead poisoning right now. They range in age from 5 to 14 months.The doctors seem to think that it came from some of these chinese toys.What is going to happen next? they need to stop this crap now! i have one question What the **** is happening to this world?
Misty, if you have medical records to prove that your children are being treated for lead poisoning, and the toys to prove they were playing with them, I suggest you fill out the form to your left and let us put you in touch with an attorney in your area who specializes in such cases.
If your kids have played with these toys that is not enough to build a case on. But if they played with these toys AND you have medical proof of lead poisoning, then you have a pretty strong case IMO.
I am sooo scared what are we going to do i have a hard enough time buying things for my kids being a single non working mom…what do we do when we suspect soemthing has lead in it we have to watch our childs heart break because we have to get rid of his or hers favorite toy..THis is why we should never have givin our ocmpany overseas…i will only buy things now that say made in the USA!!
Even as we speak, I have been trying to find info on toys that are for sale NOW. Just because they are not on the recall list doesn’t make them safe in my eyes. What are the retailers doing to help? when I asked I was told they had NO information and no recall lists….
To the anonymous poster above looking for products that have not been recalled yet, but contain lead: We advise you to get a home lead testing kit. They are not perfect and often produce false-negatives, but for about $10 it is worth a try. Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing which products contain lead until a positive result has come back from the labs after testing by a government or public organization.
I have read all of the peoples concerns about the problem facing our children today when it comes to toys. I believe that the big corporations should concentrate on being more “american made” for our personal safety and stop being clinchy with the money, and start to pitch in their share for american workers. How can you call yourself an american based company when your products are not american made? That is the question i would liked answered. So i am fustrated myself when it comes to the toy recalls it seems to have come to not letting our children to play with anything because of the fears of our children might become seriously ill. They honestly should raise the level of standards for products being imported and exported to and from the U.S.
I just don’t understand why it’s so many toys. If markets and companies know that they make there money off of parents buying from them, Common sense would make it a point to make sure there toys arent tainted. As a mother of a 3 year old I really don’t wanna go back to giving him a spoon and a pot to play with. I mean come on now it’s getting out of hand. I went through the list and I swear it’s almost every toy out now.
Your comments are ridiculous!!! You actualy think you can boycott chinese products??? HA!! China is the reason we are able to live with the technology of today. You think we would be where we are without china??.. Yes I do agree that is a bad thing to have lead in these toys but think about our parents and their parents.. They lived with lead and I am talking about high amounts of it. Not only in the thing they used every day but also in the gasoline used in cars. I am sure the amounts of lead in the toys are not extreamly high. I am not accepting the fact of the lead in kids toys but relax it is not that bad that we have to go to such extreams and boycott and bann chinses products.
I am afraid for our children. I don’t know if my parents ever had this problem but i know have to take toys away from my children that they love becouse they are hazzardous to their health. This has to stop and these companies should think about this when they out source.
I have read many different blog comments and heard the outrage from our government on this issue. I can’t help but laugh. Does anyone really think these toy companies had an acceptable percentage of lead on these paint specs? Of course not. This was changed without the knowledge of the parent company by the Chinese supplier. Why didn’t the company check for lead? Why should they? There wasn’t supposed to BE any lead in those toys. Why don’t they test for arsenic or any other poisonous substance? Because none of it should be in there. The American consumer is to blame for this incident. Every one of you who are so indignant need to look in the mirror. Why is it the consumers fault? Where do you buy your toys? Wal-mart. Why? Because that is the cheapest price you can find. How do you think companies are going to find the cheapest prices? They are going to go to China and find the cheapest suppliers they can find. Everyone now says “Buy American!” I am all for that idea. Are you ready for your toy that cost $5 to now cost $10? $15? $20??? Sure. You will do that for the first two months. Then you will realize you don’t want to spend that money and you’ll be back to Wal-mart buying the cheap version, hoping there is no lead in that toy.
I know that this sounds blunt and to the point but we as Americans need to stand together and put a stop to this madness. We are more dependent on countries over seas than we should be. Most of them don’t even like us. Why would they care about our well being. We need to stand together and take our country back!! If we are the land of opportunity then where are all of our jobs! Oh yeah, China. America, stop being lazy and selfish.
This is so RIDICULOUS!!!! I have a 11 month old cousin and a 8 month old sister and it is so hard to buy toys for them without worring weahter or not they have lead in them! We had to go buy both babies new toys because alot of the toys we had were recalled from Fisher Price! As long as we have China makeing our toys chances are that they are going to hurt the children in the US because we dont have to make anything for their kids so they are probally jealous! As long as I’m alive I will make sure that my sister and cousin have safe toys. Parents just make sure that you check your kids toys for led. They have kits that you can buy. Please lets try and make toys safe again!