New recall of Chinese toys in US
Thomas the Tank Engine branded spinning tops have been recalled
Two more US firms have recalled Chinese-made toys, saying they include paint with dangerous levels of lead.
The items include SpongeBob SquarePants spiral address books and diaries, Thomas the Tank Engine spinning tops and some toy buckets sold in the US.
The recall of about 300,000 toys comes a week after US firm Mattel recalled 18.5 million toys.
That prompted a US senator to call for all toys imported into the country from China to be inspected.
Ohio toy firm Martin Designs and Schyllings Associates of Massachusetts issued the recall through the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
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About 250,000 of the books were sold between June 2006 and July 2007, while the spinning tops and buckets were in shops between 2001 and 2002.
Parents are being told to take the items away from children.
Beijing concerns
China has not commented on the latest recall but it earlier pointed out that of the billions of goods it produces every year, only a fraction are found to be faulty.
Recalls are not uncommon for toys and children＇s products - they＇re not uncommon with products across the board
Christopher Byrne
Toy analyst
Beijing was quick to act after the first Mattel recall, revoking the licence to manufacture goods of a firm in Guangdong province.
Analysts say that it recognises the importance of consumers and overseas firms keeping faith in the Made in China label.
The latest recall would further undermine confidence in product safety, but showed that checks to keep dangerous products off the shelves was effective, said toy consultant Christopher Byrne.
"Recalls are not uncommon for toys and children＇s products. They＇re not uncommon with products across the board," he said.
The Mattel recall included Chinese-made Sarge die-cast toys from the Pixar film Cars, as well as some toys including Polly Pocket, which contained small magnets that can come loose.
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