Aug. 17, 2007 — An inspection of V.I. stores by the V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs turned up none of the Mattel toys recalled for impermissible levels of lead and choking hazards created by small, powerful magnets.
“DLCA’s search of the territory’s stores disclosed that K-mart, following notice of the recall, had already removed 59 items from their shelves on St. Thomas and 119 items on St. Croix,” according to a news release from the agency. “No recalled toys were found at any of the other retail stores checked. As Mattel stated in their press release, ‘The safety of children is our primary concern.’ DLCA investigators moved hastily to ensure that the items were removed from the shelves, thus removing any threat to children in the territory.”
The Mattel toys affected by lead include the die-cast Sarge character from the movie “Cars,” manufactured between May and August 2007. Magnetic toys recalled are Polly Pockets, Doggie Day Care, Batman and certain Barbie accessories. A full list of products is available on the company’s website.
Mattel urges consumers who already have these toys to take them away from children immediately and contact Mattel to arrange for a return and to receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the consumer’s choice, up to the value of the returned product.
For more information regarding the Sarge die-cast toy, contact Mattel at (800) 916-4997. Information about the magnetic toys is available at (888) 597-6597. V.I. consumers may also call DLCA’s Consumer Protection Division at 774-3130 on St. Thomas, 773-2226 on St. Croix or 693-8036 on St. John.
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