Mattel Recalls More China-Manufactured Toys

By Danielle Lee

Largest toy manufacturer's third recall in just over a month highlights supply chain difficulties.

Mattel announced the voluntary recall of 11 toys distributed globally, including eight under the company’s Barbie brand, in its third recall in just over a month of toys manufactured in China.

The recall, which included 530,000 toys in the U.S. and 318,000 internationally, was tied to “impermissible levels of lead” in the toys’ paint, the company said. The 11 affected toys also include three Fisher Price brands.

Some of the recalled toys had been painted by subcontractors as recently as last month, highlighting Mattel’s difficulties in policing its vast supply chain.

“In August we promised that we'd continue to focus on ensuring the safety and quality of our toys through extensive testing of finished products, through investigation of our vendors and the implementation of a strengthened three-point check system,” said Robert A. Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel, in a statement. “As a result of our ongoing investigation we discovered additional affected products. Consequently, several subcontractors are no longer manufacturing Mattel toys. We apologize again to everyone affected and promise that we will continue to focus on ensuring the safety and quality of our toys.”

Mattel had last month announced a strengthening of its testing into a new three-point check system.

The company completed the testing of the majority of its toys, including all those sourced from outside vendors, according to the statement.

"The reality is, many businesses must extend operations to lower-cost, developing areas like China in order to remain competitive and deliver on their responsibility to their shareholders," said Christopher Park, a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP and the leader of the U.S. firm's Enterprise Sustainability practice. "But businesses have a responsibility to their customers, too. In the evolving global economy, companies like Mattel are taking the lead in improving the security and visibility of their cross-border supply chains, while addressing those issues that do arise in a prompt and thoughtful manner."

Mattel and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offered images of the recalled toys on their websites. Mattel also has b-roll of the affected toys and a video statement from Eckert.

Mattel had warned last month that more recalls could be on the way as its investigation of vendors in China continued.