Target Recalling Children's Belts Over Lead Paint

Target is recalling about 105,000 Children's' belts under an agreement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The voluntary recall is a result of excessive levels of lead in the buckles, violating the federal lead-paint standard, according to a joint release.

The belts—for boys and girls—were manufactured in China and sold through Target stores nationwide from December 2008 through December 2009 for $7-$9

No injuries have been reported, but the CPSC and the retailer urge consumers to stop using the belts immediately and return them to a Target store for a full refund.

This belts involved are:

• Boys' Cherokee belts—black and brown reversible belts with heavy stitching in sizes M-XL sold in two-pack with the numbers 202/08/0018, 202/08/0019 or 202/08/0020 embossed on the belt.
  
• Girls’ Circo belts—pink and white with heart buckles in sizes XS-L were sold in a 2-pack with the numbers 202/05/0071, 202/05/0072, 202/05/0073 or 202/05/0074 listed on the product label attached to the inside of the belt.

Fort more information, see the recall notice.

In the past two weeks, the CPSC has announced three other recall cases, involving major companies.

On June 3, the commission and Maytag, a subsidiary of Whirlpool, announced the voluntary recall of 1.7 million dishwashers, of various models, sold between February 2006 through April 2010, which because of an electrical failure in the heating element can lead to a fire.

In another case, some 12 million promotional cups at McDonald's were to be recalled. "Shrek Forever After 3D” Collectable Drinking Glasses, distributed by the fast-food giant to coincide with the film's release, were determined to contain cadmium in their external designs. The commission says long-term exposure can cause "adverse health effects." The cups, which were sold nationwide between May and early June, were manufactured by ARC International of Millville, N.J.

Finally, on June 10, General Electric announced a voluntary recall of about 181,000 front-loading washing machines because of the possibility of fire and electrical shock.

The Commission now handles about 500 recalls a year, all voluntary, covering a wide range of everyday products, such as toys and appliances. In most cases, consumers should stop using the recalled product and contact the firm for a free repair or replacement, or refund.