Mattel suffers from the "lead paint pandemic" ....again. Offers Lead Paint to All

Who do these toy manufactures care about? Obviously not our children. Mattel has once again recalled a plethora of toys. 55,000 to be exact, but with the enormous amounts of despicable toys continue to mount around Mattel's cost benefit analysis.

According to the BBC,

The recall affects 38,000 toys in the US, 12,000 toys in the UK and the Irish Republic and 5,500 toys in Canada.

The items affected are Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Boat toys imported by Fisher Price.

The move is part of a wider recall of 665,000 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Mattel recalled million of toys over the summer.

Mattel's profits have fallen slipped by 1% over the past three months, in the wake of the recalls.

Remember, U.S. trade representatives have already called this "problem" a political issue due to the 2008 U.S. election. Idiots.

US experts told Hong Kong manufacturers that the overwhelming majority of the products do meet safety standards. He added that the current spat over product safety is politically-motivated, and could heighten as the US moves into an election year in 2008. Asia Times

They think we are all as ignorant as they are.

This latest recall marks the fourth in six months, prompting the EU to embark on a two-month review of its toy safety regulations, expected to be complete in November. (how convenient..right before the Christmas "push").

"There is more to be done to step up controls," said Meglena Kuneva, the EU's consumer commissioner after announcing the recall that affected the items in the UK and the Irish Republic. bbc

Adding to the controversy, According to Alan Wong, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council,

the issue with Made in China products is "100% about perception".

and to get around the matter Chinese company's will merely switch the "Made in China" labels,

"We have our work cut out on product safety. But toy safety is not a new issue. We have been dealing with it for a long time," he said. It is unlikely that Hong Kong companies will relocate their plants to other countries to avoid having the "Made in China" label. However, a subtle differentiation is being made to use the "Made by Hong Kong" label, instead." Asia Times

new posts:
China lead toy Fix..Relabel Toys with "Made in Hong Kong", instead of China

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Same Players. Different Scandal.

China lead toy Fix..Relabel Toys with "Made in Hong Kong", instead of China

"the issue with Made in China products is "100% about perception" Alan Wong, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Absolutely ridiculous. As China is in "the throes of passing tougher regulations on toy safety" due to the largest toy recall in history, China and the United States seem to have come to the 'ultimate answer'....Relabel their toys with "Made in Hong Kong".

How did Alan Schoem, senior vice president of the risks consulting law practice of Marsh USA (and former head of the US Product Safety Commission) and Carter Keithley, president of the US Toy Industry Association 'sell' their 'fix'. According to Alan Wong, the deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council,

"We got the impression that legislation will be passed [in the US] to tighten pre-delivery and third party inspections and to lift existing product standards," Wong said. "The level of lead allowed will be reduced from 0.06 parts per million in toys to 0.02. There will, in future, be much more stringent production controls."
.....
it appears that, despite recent adverse publicity on Chinese products, Schoem believes the overwhelming number of product recalls was not about lead content. "Often it is about detachment of parts and sharp angles in toys, and mislabeling, such as saying a product is suitable for a three-year-old and younger, when it is made for older children." Asia Times

But it's ok everyone..according to "Shody Toy" Schoem...it's all about politics, not our children's safety,

US experts told Hong Kong manufacturers that the overwhelming majority of the products do meet safety standards. He added that the current spat over product safety is politically-motivated, and could heighten as the US moves into an election year in 2008. Asia Times

and now for his remedy. According to Wong,

the issue with Made in China products is "100% about perception".
.....
"We have our work cut out on product safety. But toy safety is not a new issue. We have been dealing with it for a long time," he said. It is unlikely that Hong Kong companies will relocate their plants to other countries to avoid having the "Made in China" label. However, a subtle differentiation is being made to use the "Made by Hong Kong" label, instead." Asia Times

Are you kidding, me? It is not "100% about perception". Simply 'relabeling' the toys with "made in Hong Kong" instead of "made in China" doesn't solve anything. From anti freeze in toothpaste, 'killer' pet food, to lead based toys..China is polluting the world with her 'cost minimzation' strategies. The United States is NOT the only nation suffering from the lax regulations. The products that come here are distributed to other nations, as well. This 'problem' needs to be remedied now. It's not about 'poltical' motivations, it's about product safety, health, and the future of our children. Saving a dollar is not worth 'sickening' our future.

Same Players. Different Scandal.