Parents are being advised to pay more attention to what their children are playing with after a global recall of contaminated toys from China.
Fisher and Price's parent company Mattel issued a worldwide recall of 967,000 plastic toys for preschoolers, after lead was found in the paint used to decorate them.
Sesame Street toys, Dora the Explorer, and a range of children's musical instruments are some of the 1300 toys being recalled in New Zealand.
This follows a recall of Thomas and Friends toys in June that were covered with toxic paint, and recent reports of contaminated food from China, including seafood and toothpaste.
Barnardos New Zealand chief executive Murray Edridge said parents should be concerned after a spate of contaminated products from China.
- headaches
- memory problems
- reduced coordination
- hyperactivity
- increased sleeping
- hearing loss
- vomiting
- muscle weakness
- constipation
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- poor appetite
- weight loss
"You've got to wonder about the quality control that allows these products to get in to the country," he said.
He said parents must ensure that their children are playing with safe and suitable toys.
"Particularly when we are talking about toys, about children. Kids put things in their mouths, that's how they learn."
"People should be really careful that they look at the marks, that they look for the certification on the toys they purchase."
He said parents should avoid toys that dismantle with small parts.
"Parents need to be attuned to those products when they buy these toys."
Consumers will be given a full cash refund for the products and for more information Mattel can be contacted on 0800-174-063.
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