Mattel, the world’s largest toy distributor has recently recalled several of its newly-released products. The reason for this recall was that some of its toys were found to be defective and dangerous for children to play with.

The most recent recall in September was concerning several of its toys found to be coated with lead paint. These toys were Geo Trax Engine, Barbie accessory set and Its a Big, Big World. Lead paint is extremely dangerous for young children and can seriously damage their health.
This is not the first time Mattel has recalled a toy found to be dangerous after passing its tests and being distributed. Recently two more recalls were sent out for toys with dangerously powerful magnets. A Fisher Price toy was recalled and barely two weeks later five different products brought back for the same reasons. Dora comes under the Fisher Price umbrella.
When small children swallow magnets they can become very dangerous especially when more than one is consumed as the magnets make their way down the digestive tract they are attracted to one another.

If the attraction is too strong, the magnets are drawn to each other through the tissue of different internal organs. This can cause perforations in essential organs and can result in death.
All of these toys so far have been manufactured in China where the safety precautions around toys are much more lax than in the places where they are distributed. Mattel has tried to reassure its customers that they have tightened up any holes unsatisfactory toys could fall through. Many people find this hard to believe as it has been said many times before and still unsafe products have been sold.

With Christmas on its way many wonder how Mattel will fare. With new health scares and Bratz currently in more favour than Mattel’s own Barbie, it might prove difficult for Mattel to do well.

Now also there is a legal battle over the original designs for Bratz, manufactured by MGA Entertinment. Is this a desperate last ditch attempt to stay on top by Mattel?