Exclusive: Mattel Inc MD on risk posed by toxic toys

TOY RECALL: Mattel Inc recalled 7,500 units of Barbie doll sets, because these contain high levels of lead paint.

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New Delhi: CNN IBN-Toxics Link special investigation finds that branded toys, many claiming to be non-toxic, in fact, contain dangerous amounts of lead. Mattel Inc which is the manufacturer of the iconic Barbie doll toys, on Wednesday recalled 7,500 units of Barbie doll sets, because these contain high levels of lead paint.

Sanjay Luthra , MD Mattel Inc spoke to Paromita Chatterjee about the risk associated with the toys and the company’s decision to recall these toys.

Ques: Now that Barbie accessories have been re-called by Mattel, are the remaining toys safe?

Sanjay Luthra: We will do a thorough investigation of our complete toy process. And if we find that there is something wrong, we would bring it to the knowledge of the consumer.

This is our third recall of Barbie accessories. When we did our first recall last month, we had committed to our consumers that we will do a thorough investigation of our complete toy processes.

If we find that there is something wrong, we would bring it to the knowledge of the consumer. We have scanned close to 10,000-15,000 toys. While auditing all those toys, we have found in two accessories—the tiny little miniature bag and a toy dog, which has got excessive amount of lead. As we have done a voluntary recall of that, we maintain our continuous commitment to the consumer.

Ques: Despite the fact that there are no compulsions by companies to follow BIS standards, has Mattel been following them here?

Sanjay Luthra: The Indian toy market is estimated to be a thousand crore and 75 per cent of that is unorganized. The unorganized market has potentially been selling unsafe toys.

Ques: Do they follow the same norms that they practice for safe toys in US and Europe, in India?

Sanjay Luthra: In India we have norms which are comparable to the best in the world. The US follows ASTN norms and Europeans follow EN 71 norms. Indian standards are comparable to the best in the world. But these norms are there and it is the responsibility of the manufacturers to adhere to those norms.

Ques: How much of lead is acceptable as per Mattel's internal norms? Production in India - what norms do they follow for toys made here?

Sanjay Luthra: Only a lab can test the toys and tell whether it has excessive amount of lead in it or not. However these norms of ASTN and EN 71 are both followed by Mettel. In fact Mettel standards are a little higher than those followed by others.