Toymaker Mattel last night announced a third recall of Chinese-made toys, saying it would take back more than 800,000 units globally that contain "impermissible" levels of lead.
The latest recall involves three Fisher-Price toy models and eight Barbie brand playsets. No Barbie dolls were included.
In total, 522,000 US toys and 322,000 outside the United States are being recalled. The toys were shipped between August 3rd, 2006, and July 31st, 2007, the company said. The Republic of Ireland is understood not to be affected.
A spate of toy recalls has sparked concern over the quality of products made in China.
The US House of Representatives' subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection is to hold a September 19th hearing on how to protect US children from imported products containing lead paint - which has been linked to health problems in children, including brain damage.
The recall follows Mattel's investigation of its toys manufactured by vendors in China. In the last five weeks, the company already announced two recalls of millions of Chinese toys due to excessive amounts of lead paint and other dangers.
"Mattel, along with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and other companies, is doing a systematic inventory of products that may contain lead paint," said CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese. "This is the result of Mattel's review."