Lead Paint Hazard Found In Four Children's Puzzles

PRODUCT: Approximately 10,000 puzzles imported by U.S. Toy Company, Inc. The following four models were sold: model MTC-2033, the "Rooster" puzzle; model MTC-2026, the "Vegetable" puzzle; model MTC-2028, the "Garden Tools" puzzle and model DL-4002, the "Animals" puzzle.

PROBLEM: The red paint of each puzzle contains excessive levels of lead.

WHAT TO DO: The Rooster, Vegetable and Garden Tools puzzles should be returned to the stores where purchased for an exchange. Puzzles ordered through U.S. Toy Company, Inc.'s home/parent and school catalogs should be returned to: U.S. Toy Company, Inc., 1227 East 119th St., Grandview, MO 64030 for an exchange and postage reimbursement. For more information consumers may call U.S. Toy Company, Inc. at: (816) 761-5900, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Eastern time.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), U.S. Toy Company, Inc., Grandview, MO, is voluntarily recalling the following four puzzles: "Rooster," "Vegetable," "Animals" and "Garden Tools." CPSC testing of the puzzles in accordance with regulations under the Consumer Product Safety Act revealed levels of lead in the red paint of each puzzle that exceeds government standards, presenting a safety hazard to children. Even though CPSC and U.S. Toy Company know of no poisoning incidents, this recall of approximately 10,000 puzzles is being conducted to prevent the possiblity of poisoning.

The Rooster, Vegetable and Garden Tools puzzles measure 9-l/2 inches x 12 inches. The wooden knobs attached to the puzzle pieces measure 3/4 inches round. The labels on the cellophane wrapping in which the puzzles were sold read: "DORON LAYELED LTD. MADE IN ISRAEL."

The Animals puzzle measures 21 inches x 6 inches. The wooden knobs attached to the puzzle pieces measure one inch round. The labels on the cellophane wrapping in which the puzzles were sold read "DORON LAYELED LTD. MADE IN ISRAEL."

The Rooster puzzle, model MTC-2033, has six pieces that, when put together, make a rooster. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1991.

The Vegetable puzzle, model MTC-2026, has five pieces that, when put together, make an ear of corn, a carrot, a head of lettuce, a cucumber and a tomato. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1991.

The Garden Tools puzzle, model MTC-2028, has six pieces that, when put together, make a saw, a hammer, a tool box, a wrench and a file. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1991.

The Animals puzzle, model DL-4002, has four pieces that, when put together, make a kitten, a duck, a fish and a dog. The puzzles were sold from January 1, 1980 through May 31, 1992.

The puzzles were sold by Constructive Playthings stores located in Garden Grove, California; Skokie, Illinois; Leawood, Kansas; Carrollton, Texas; North Wales, Pennsylvania and Apopka, Florida and through U.S. Toy Company, Inc. catalogs. Additionally, the Garden Tools, Rooster and Vegetable puzzles were sold nationwide in retail stores. A total of approximately 10,000 puzzles were sold for approximately $15 to $17 each.

Consumers are urged to immediately take the puzzles away from children. The Rooster, Vegetable and Garden Tools puzzles can be returned to the stores where purchased for an exchange for a puzzle that meets government standards. The Animals puzzle can be returned to one of the six Constructive Playthings stores for an exchange for a puzzle that meets government standards. Puzzles ordered through U.S. Toy Company, Inc.'s home/parent and school catalogs should be returned to: U.S. Toy Company, Inc., 1227 East 119th St., Grandview, MO 64030 for an exchange for a puzzle that meets government standards and reimbursement of postage. For more information, consumers may call U.S. Toy Company, Inc. at: (816) 761-5900, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30 a.m - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Neither CPSC nor U.S. Toy Company, Inc. is aware of any poisoning incidents involving these puzzles. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of poisoning. These unsafe puzzles were identified by CPSC during retail inspections.
CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unresonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.