Toys "R" Us recalls China-made wood coloring cases
Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:41AM EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Toys "R" Us Inc is recalling about 27,000 Imaginarium wooden coloring cases that were made in China because they violate federal lead paint standards.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall on Thursday, said the 213-piece coloring cases were sold at the toy retailer's stores and on its Web site from October 2006 through August 2007 for about $20.

The printed ink on the outer packaging of the wood case contains lead, and some of the black watercolor paint contains excessive levels of lead, the agency said.

It marks the latest in a string of recalls of Chinese-made products due to lead paint, including Mattel Inc's recent recall of Pixar Sarge die-cast toy cars, and Sesame Street and Dora the Explorer toys.

Lead paint has been linked to health problems in children, including brain damage.

The spate of recalls has sparked concern over the quality of products made in China, and the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection will also hold a September 19 hearing on how to protect U.S. children from toys, jewelry and other imported products containing lead paint.

The CPSC said no injuries were reported from the Imaginarium coloring cases, and consumers should return them to Toys "R" Us for store credit.

Toys "R" Us is owned by a consortium that includes Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co and Vornado Realty Trust.

(Reporting by Tenzin Pema in Bangalore and Nicole Maestri in New York)

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