Latest recall really bites: toy teeth

WASHINGTON — Hours before trick-or-treaters began going door to door, the government warned consumers Wednesday that fake Halloween teeth sold by the tens of thousands since last year contain excessive amounts of lead.

The $2 packages of "Ugly Teeth" are the latest in a long line of Chinese-made toys and novelty items recalled because of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall in a news release.

In an interview, the commission's acting head defended the last-minute action in notifying consumers about the teeth. Nancy Nord said the possible danger was not brought to the agency's attention until late last week.

The agency estimates that since January 2006, retailers have sold 43,000 eight-piece packages of the party favors. There were no reports of injuries or illness.

Amscan, of Elmsford, N.Y., imported the fake teeth. A message left with the company was not returned.

Also Wednesday, Toys "R" Us recalled about 16,000 Chinese-made Elite Operations toys because of lead contamination, the commission said.

The recall included four Elite Operations toy sets: the Command Patrol Center, the Barracuda Helicopter, the Super Rigs set and a three-pack of 8-inch figures.

No other Elite Operations toys are included in the recall.

The toys were sold at Toys "R" Us stores and on toysrus.com between July and October. They can be returned to any Toys "R" Us store.

The commission also announced recalls of 380,000 Galaxy Warriors figurines and 1,500 SimplyFun Ribbit board games, both for lead-contaminated surface paints.

The figurines were manufactured in China and distributed by Henry Gordy International. The board games were manufactured in China and imported and distributed by SimplyFun.

Millions of Chinese-made toys have been recalled in recent months. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., this week urged Nord to resign.

Nord said Wednesday she has no intention of resigning.