China Was Aware of Toy Magnet Trouble

Via The Times of India -

BEIJING: China knew about problems with magnets on toys as long ago as March, an industry official said on Wednesday, following a second massive recall of Chinese-made Mattel toys due to hazards from small, powerful magnets.

Mattel Inc, the largest US toy company, recalled millions more Chinese-made toys on Tuesday due to safety risks from the magnets and lead paint and warned it may recall additional products as it steps up testing. "We knew about the situation because since March some toys had been recalled due to magnetic parts problems," said an official with the China Toy Association.

The China Toy Association would meet the commerce ministry and quality watchdog to discuss the recall, the official said. The recall will likely only add to US consumer worries about the made-in-China label. According to a poll, two-thirds said they would support a boycott of Chinese goods.

"There is a very kind of widespread sense in America now that there may be something defective with a number of Chinese products," said James Fallows, a lecturer in US foreign policy at Shanghai's Fudan University.