ACCC issues lead caution on toy car set: Military play set toy recalled

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued a second advisory alert to consumers warning that a toy car set has been identified has having a potential lead content hazard.

"Preliminary assessment of the Auto Super Cars toy set, comprising four brightly coloured toy cars, has indicated that some of the paint on the cars may represent a potential hazard," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "Further tests are under way to determine whether the toys may have unacceptable lead levels."

The retailer, Red Dot Stores, which operates a chain of variety stores throughout Western Australia, is cooperating fully with the ACCC and taking steps to remove the product for sale pending further verification test results.

As a precautionary measure, all parents and carers are advised to remove all components of the car set from children and to store them in a safe location. If the need for a recall is confirmed, advice on the recall should be available next week and as soon as test results are available.

Following earlier action on a different toy by the ACCC, a military play set is being recalled by the supplier, Australian Discount Retail (Trading) Pty Ltd. Final test results received by the ACCC established that the paint on the toy contains unacceptable lead levels. The product is identified as the Special Mission Combat Force Military Play Set which was sold at The Warehouse, Go-Lo Discount Stores, Crazy Clark's and Makro Warehouse discount variety stores. It is a military action set comprising a truck, mounted helicopter, military vehicle and soldier figurines.

The supplier has cooperated fully with the ACCC on this matter and immediately removed the product for sale when the potential safety hazard was brought to its attention.

A ban on products containing more than 90 milligrams per kilogram of lead was introduced on 17 September 2007.

Both these toys were found during national surveys by the ACCC and testing of randomly purchased toy samples for the presence of a lead content hazard.

"The ACCC will continue to be vigilant in this area," Mr Samuel said.