More Lead Paint Recalls of Public Company Products (DIS, ENR)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced more toy recalls today for lead paint violations.  There is a full list of product recalls here, but interestingly enough this may actually have an impact on more of the companies than just the ones noted herein.

Because these recalls announced today are "Winnie the Pooh" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" it could technically have an impact on Disney’s physical toy and physical merchandise.  It doesn’t mention the company and Disney has many outside arrangements, but guess who has the trademarks. 

We will be the first ones to point out the actual numbers of product recalls are small in the grand scheme of things, but there are many parents and consumer activists (as well as free trade activists/foes) that are watching this like a hawk.  There are also no known incidents of note.  We only included the ‘lead paint recall items’ in this. 

Public companies: Energizer (NYSE:ENR) and Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS).  Below is a brief summary of the product recalls announced today:

Name of Product: Key Chains
Units: About 192,000
Importer: Dollar General Merchandising Inc., of Goodlettsville, Tenn…..Dollar General, now part of KKR…..
Hazard: The key chains contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic ifingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Name of Product: Frankenstein Tumblers
Units: About 63,000
Importer: Dollar General Merchandising Inc., of Goodlettsville, Tenn….Dollar General, now part of KKR…..
Hazard: Surface paint on the center of the eyes of some of the cups cancontain high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Name of Product: “Pirates of the Caribbean” Medallion Squeeze Lights
Units: About 79,000
Importer: Eveready Battery Co., of St. Louis, Mo…..Energizer(NYSE:ENR) distributed approximately 78,500 units of this product inthe U.S. market.
Hazard: Surface paints on the leather strap attached to the medallionsqueeze light contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federallead paint standard.

Name of Product: Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks
Units: About 35,000
Distributor: Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga.
Hazard: Surface paint on the blue block contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

KB Toys….Name of Products: Wooden Pull-Along Alphabet & MathBlocks Wagons, Wooden Pull-Along Learning Blocks Wagons, 10-in-1Activity Learning Carts, and Flip-Flop Alphabet Blocks
Units: About 10,000
Hazard: Surface paints on the toys can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Jon C. Ogg
October 4, 2007