Stuffed toys affected by the largest recall on record in Canada include a dog, a moose and bear dressed as Mounties. About 2.5 million were sold nationwide, primarily at souvenir and airport gift shops, since 1996.
RCMP-themed toys recalled after Star probe
Millions of stuffed made-in-China Mounties pulled due to lead concerns in country's largest recall yet
November 19, 2008
Comments on this story
David Bruser
STAFF REPORTER
Prompted by a Toronto Star investigation, the federal government is recalling millions of RCMP-themed toys because they contain dangerously high levels of lead and pose a choking hazard to children.
It is the largest recall of products in Canada on record.
The stuffed animal Mounties join a growing and shocking list of toxic toys and jewellery that Health Canada failed to keep away from children until the Star did its own testing.
We found high levels of lead in a baby pacifier, a jewellery-making kit advertised as "Lead Free," and a dollar-store scrapbook charm that was so full of lead that Health Canada determined a child could die from swallowing the penny-sized bauble.
Our testing also found high levels of lead in the belt of the RCMP uniform on a stuffed husky dog. The $20 toy was sold at a Pearson International Airport souvenir shop.
After these and other findings, Health Canada in October ordered thousands of toys off store shelves nationwide. The RCMP toys were not recalled then as the agency said it was still working out the specifics of the recall.
More than six weeks ago, then-Health Minister Tony Clement called the Star's findings "deeply disturbing" and said enforcement of leaded products is not good enough. He pledged to the Star that he would introduce a law to better protect consumers. He said he would consider a restriction on lead in pacifiers.
It has been nearly a year since Clement and Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced plans to modernize and strengthen Canada's consumer product safety laws.
No law has been passed.
After the recent federal election and cabinet shuffle, Clement was replaced.
The Star requested to speak with new Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, and a spokesperson said she was not available.
The made-in-China stuffed animal Mounties were imported by Northern Gifts of Burnaby, B.C., and are dressed in a red jacket with gold-coloured buttons and a brown plastic belt with gold buckle.
Health Canada confirmed the Star's testing, and found lead in the plastic belt that exceeded the legal limit.
Health Canada also found that the gold buttons can detach from the red jacket and pose a choking hazard to children.
About 2.5 million of the toys from Northern Gifts were sold nationwide, primarily at souvenir and airport gift shops, since 1996.
Other stuffed animals captured in the recall include a bear and moose. Northern Gifts is not the only supplier of RCMP-themed products. It is the only company named in the recall.
The company said on its website that the products were not available in toy shops, were not designed as toys and were not marketed to children.
But the company said that Health Canada considers the stuffed animals toys that could end up in the hands of young children.
Northern Gifts said it has never received a report of an injury related to these products.
Health Canada says consumers in possession of these toys should immediately throw out the jacket and belt. Northern Gifts says it will replace the uniform for any affected consumer.
Recall notices are posted on the federal agency's website, healthycanadians.ca.
Recalls are voluntary and it is up to the offending companies and parents to keep the dangerous items from children.
Health Canada has not punished a company for selling, importing or manufacturing dangerous children's products in more than a decade.
Lead can damage the most vulnerable without warning.
Experts say sucking on or mouthing a lead-laced toy can cause damage that might not be readily apparent to caregivers or doctors.
Possible symptoms of lead poisoning – such as irritability, a drop in IQ and poor school performance – could easily be confused with other ailments.
Repeatedly sucking on or swallowing heavily leaded items can bring on a wide range of symptoms, from prolonged vomiting, diarrhea and cramping to possible death.
Toronto Star