Mattel apologises for massive recall of China-made toys

Mumbai: Mattel Inc, the world''s largest toy maker, has apologised for damaging China''s reputation by the recent massive recalls of China-made toys, including some which met US safety standards.

"Our reputation has been damaged lately by these recalls," Thomas Debrowski, Mattel''s executive vice president of worldwide operations, told China''s quality watchdog chief, Li Changjiang, in the Beijing.

"Mattel takes full responsibility for these recalls and apologises personally to you, the Chinese people and all of our customers who received the toys."

Mattel, which has come under scrutiny following the recall of about 21 million of the toys in a span of five weeks, many because of excessive levels of lead paint, admitted it targeted some goods that were actually up to scratch.

Debrowski said he realised the damage that had been done to the reputation of Chinese goods, adding the company was committed to manufacturing in China.

Too many toys had been recalled, but Mattel said that was because it puts safety first.

The follow-up inspections have confirmed that part of the recalled toys complied with the US standards, Mattel added.

Li told Debrowski of his displeasure for targeting too many toys. "You cannot recall 10,000 products just because one is substandard. This is unacceptable," he said.

Li also struck a conciliatory tone with the company, which directly and indirectly employs thousands of Chinese.

Debrowski did not talk to reporters, whom the quality regulator had invited to witness most of the meeting.