Mattel agreed to pay a record $2.3 million in fines for the sale of toys and toy products which contained unsafe levels of lead. The toys -- which included licensed properties from the Sesame Street line, Barbie, Dora the Explorer products, and toys from the Fisher-Price subsidiary -- were Made in China. An investigation proved that Mattel had knowingly allowed the tainted products to go to market in 2006-2007. The products were part of a series of massive recalls which dominated the news. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it was the largest fine of its kind to-date.
Mattel was not the only company involved in the recalls of products made in China containing excessive amounts of lead, and this is only the first fine levied against any of those companies. Parties agreed Mattel acted quickly and has not had any lead-based issues since.
Lead poisoning can cause a number of problems in children, including neurological problems, learning deficiencies, and mental and physical retardation.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
A rambling melange of pop-culture.
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