Halloween Ugly Teeth, 3 Other Products Recalled

The Consumer Product Safety Commission Wednesday afternoon announced the recall of four more toys and children's products -- more than 440,000 individual items -- because of excessive amounts of lead paint. Exposure to lead can cause permanent brain damage, and children and fetuses are the most susceptible.

There have been more recalls this month than in any previous year since lead paint was banned 30 years ago. Like millions of other toys recalled, the latest four were made in China. At least one was first identified in recent days by a professor doing independent tests of Halloween products. The CPSC recall notice comes on the afternoon of Halloween -- hopefully in time to keep the Halloween teeth out of children's mouths where the lead could easily enter their systems.

Pediatricians can test kids' blood for lead, and parents can help prevent exposure by keeping old paint from cracking and pealing. Homes build before 1975 often contain lead paint, and that remains the main source of lead exposure in the United States. Proper nutrition -- with plenty of iron and calcium -- can also help counteract the effects of lead exposure. Once damage is done, it is irreversible, though.

The CPSC released this information about the latest recalls.

1. SimplyFun Recalls Ribbit Board Games Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
• Name of Product: Ribbit Board Games
• Units: About 1,500
• Importer/Distributor: SimplyFun LLC, of Bellevue, Wash.
• Hazard: Surface paint on the five frog-shaped wooden pieces contain excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
• Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
• Description: This recall involves SimplyFun Ribbit board games. The games are sold with five frog-shaped wooden pieces that act as pawns for movement. The wooden pieces are blue, red, green, yellow and lavender in color.
• Sold by: SimplyFun independent consultants nationwide from March 2007 through October 2007 for about $18.
• Manufactured in: China
• Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the five frog pieces from the game and discontinue using them. Consumers should contact SimplyFun for a refund or a set of five replacement frogs.
• Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact SimplyFun toll-free at (877) 557-7767 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.simplyfun.com
• To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08056.html
2. Toys "R" Us Recalls Elite Operations Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
   • Name of Product: Elite Operations Toys
   • Units: About 16,000
   • Importer/Retailer: Toys "R" Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J.
   • Manufacturer: Toy World Group Ltd/Chun Tat Toys Factory Limited, of Guangdong, China
   • Hazard: Surface coatings on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
   • Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
   • Description: The recall involves four military-style Elite Operations toys, including Super Rigs (#1004), Command Patrol Center (#1020), Barracuda Helicopter (#1023), and 3 Pack 8-inch Figures (#1024). The product number is located on the toy's packaging.
   • Sold at: Toys "R" Us stores nationwide and toysrus.com from July 2007 through October 2007 for between $10 and $30. No other Elite Operations brand military play sets are included in this recall.
   • Manufactured in: China
   • Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the toy away from children, and return them to any Toys "R" Us for a full refund or store credit.
   • Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toys "R" Us at (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.toysrus.com
   • To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08057.html
3. Halloween "Ugly Teeth" Recalled By Amscan Inc. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
   • Name of Product: "Ugly Teeth" Party Favors
   • Units: About 43,000
   • Importer: Amscan Inc., of Elmsford, N.Y.
   • Hazard: The surface paint on the teeth contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
   • Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
   • Description: The fake Halloween teeth are painted white, black and orange with brown gums. They were sold as party favors in packages of eight. "Ugly Teeth," "Amscan," "Party Favors," "Value Pack Party Favors," UPC 0-48419-65002-7 and UPC 0-48419-61663-4 are printed on the packaging.
   • Sold at: Various retailers nationwide from January 2006 through October 2007 for about $2.
   • Manufactured in: China
   • Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled Halloween teeth away from children and return them to the place where purchased for a full refund.
   • Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Amscan Inc. at (800) 335-7585 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.amscan.com
   • To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08059.html
4. Toy Figures Recalled by Henry Gordy International Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
   • Name of Product: "Galaxy Warriors" Toy Figures
   • Units: About 380,000
   • Distributor: Henry Gordy International Inc., of Plainfield, N.J.
   • Hazard: Surface paints on the recalled toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
   • Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
   • Description: The posable spaceman figures are about 4½-inches tall and come with two accessories. They were sold in various colors including yellow, grey, silver, blue, green, gold, black, and red.
   • Sold at: Family Dollar Stores nationwide from January 2006 through October 2007 for about $1.
   • Manufactured in: China
   • Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toys away from children immediately and return the toy to the firm for a full refund plus postage.
   • Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Henry Gordy International toll-free at (888) 790-2700 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
   • To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08060.html

COMMENTS ()