Voluntary Recall of 4 Toys

Mattel® Announces Voluntary Recall of 4 Toys as a Result of Extensive Ongoing Investigation and Product Testing

MELBOURNE, Sept. 5 /Medianet International-AsiaNet /--

Mattel® (NZ) Ltd announced today that, as a result of the company’s ongoing investigation of its toys manufactured by vendors in China, the company has voluntarily recalled four toys in New Zealand, pet and furniture playsets sold under the Barbie® brand, due to impermissible levels of lead.

NO Barbie® dolls are included within the recall. In total, approximately 285 toys have been distributed in New Zealand. There have been no reports of injuries involving the affected products in New Zealand or overseas.

Mattel has completed the testing program for the majority of its toys, including all of its toys currently sourced from vendors. The voluntary recall results from Mattel’s thorough investigation of vendor-sourced toys. Mattel has also globally implemented a three-point check system to test toys throughout the manufacturing process.

``In August we promised that we’d continue to focus on ensuring the safety and quality of our toys through extensive testing of finished products, thorough investigation of our vendors and the implementation of a strengthened three-point check system. As a result of our ongoing investigation we discovered additional affected products. Consequently, several subcontractors are no longer manufacturing Mattel toys. We apologise again to everyone affected and promise that we will continue to focus on ensuring the safety and quality of our toys,’’ said Robert A. Eckert, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mattel®.

The four Mattel Barbie®-branded toys being recalled in New Zealand were sold between November 2006 and August 2007 and include the following products:

PRODUCT NUMBER | DESCRIPTION | AFFECTED ITEM WITHIN PLAYSET
K8606 | Barbie® Table& Chairs Kitchen Playset | Two dinner plates / Miniature dog / Potato chip bowl / Salad bowl
K8607 | Barbie® Bathtub & Toilet Playset | Miniature Cat
K8608 | Barbie® Living Room Playset | Miniature Cat
K8609 | Barbie® Desk & Chair Bedroom Playset | Miniature dog

PLEASE NOTE: NO Barbie® dolls are included within the recall.

The playsets affected by the recall were produced by Holder Plastic Company (Holder), a Mattel® contract vendor, which subcontracted the painting of miniature toy pets and small furniture pieces to Dong Lian Fa (DLF) and Yip Sing (YS). DLF and YS used uncertified paint and are no longer producing toys for Mattel.

Mattel’s investigation revealed that the subcontractors painted the affected four toys between March 2007 and August 2007. However Mattel is being cautious and recalling the entire production of the toys painted by the subcontractors. Therefore, toys manufactured beginning in October 2006 are included within the recall.

Mattel is working with retailers worldwide to identify and remove affected products from retail shelves.

There are three ways to contact Mattel to determine if your product is affected:

1 | Visit Mattel’s website at www.service.mattel.com and click through to New Zealand

2 | Email Mattel via – infoaust@mattel.com

3 | Call Mattel New Zealand: 0800-174-063 between Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm

Return of affected toys will be direct with Mattel® and at Mattel's® expense. Retail stores are not able to refund any of the recalled products. Consumers will receive a refund to the value of the returned product. Consumers do not need to have the toy’s original packaging or a receipt to return affected products to Mattel®.

Mattel® Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel® family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People®, Rescue Heroes®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel® employs more than 30,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. Mattel's® vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

ENDS

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