Home>News Center>Life
         
 

Dangerous Barbie dolls?
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-07 11:09

Shanghai quarantine authorities say they are on the lookout for dangerous Barbie dolls.


Barbie dolls are sold in a local Carrefour hypermarket yesterday. Media reports in Germany claimed some dolls contain the chemical phthalate, which is linked to cancer.Local quarantine officials said they are keeping an eye on imported dolls. [Shanghai Daily]

The comment comes in response to media reports in Germany that said the dolls contain the chemical phthalate, which has been linked to cancer.

A German magazine reported that 24 out of 30 toys it had checked at a laboratory were contaminated with the chemical, including the popular doll, raising concerns about its safety.

But the Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau said their routine tests on imported toys don't cover phthalate, and there are no government standards covering the chemical in toys.

"This is not the time to take any action as the news hasn't been verified and the producer hasn't recalled its products," said bureau official Fang Yong.

Officials added that most toys China imports enter the country through borders in southern Guangdong Province, and only a few enter through Shanghai.

The company licensed to sell the dolls on the mainland, Guangzhou Shangwei Trade Co, said it is aware of the German reports, but wouldn't comment until it heard from Mattel, the US company that produces the dolls. Mattel is expected to make a public statement about the report today.

"In my personal opinion, it's irresponsible for the report not to clarify the batch number but only to point out Barbie in a general way," said an official surnamed Zheng with the company's local sales department.

Zheng said Barbie Dolls are mostly made in southern China and Indonesia.



"Bizarre pet" in a fever
Aniston sues paparazzo, warns media over topless photos
Miss World contestants in swimsuits
  Today's Top News     Top Life News
 

China, US start new round of strategic talks

 

   
 

Foreign firms' monopolies cause concern

 

   
 

Dam planned to contain river pollution

 

   
 

Deaths rise to 74 in Hebei coal mine blast

 

   
 

US air marshal kills passenger, citing threat

 

   
 

Saddam's stop-start trial goes on without him

 

   
  World marks 25th anniversary of Lennon murder
   
  Pushing the envelope on love letters
   
  Top 500 reveals poor records in Chinese firms
   
  Coca-Cola to launch coffee-infused Coke Blak
   
  Brad Pitt is said to be proposing to Angelina Jolie
   
  Rowling possibly set to kill Potter
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Feature  
  Could China's richest be the tax cheaters?  
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement