What does "Made in the USA" Really Mean When Buying Toys?

Over 1 million Fisher-Price toys from Mattel are being recalled because of excess lead levels. These toys were Made in China. As a result I have compiled a list of sites to help educate the consumer about how to find toys that are Made in the USA and what that means.

Complying with the Made In the USA Standard

From the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)

This is a very interesting read about what constitutes Made in the USA!

Complying with the Made In the USA Standard: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is charged with preventing deception and unfairness in the marketplace. The FTC Act gives the Commission the power to bring law enforcement actions against false or misleading claims that a product is of U.S. origin. Traditionally, the Commission has required that a product advertised as Made in USA be "all or virtually all" made in the U.S. After a comprehensive review of Made in USA and other U.S. origin claims in product advertising and labeling, the Commission announced in December 1997 that it would retain the "all or virtually all" standard. The Commission also issued an Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims to provide guidance to marketers who want to make an unqualified Made in USA claim under the "all or virtually all" standard and those who want to make a qualified Made in USA claim.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Keep up on all the lastest toy recalls

CPSC Home Page: Consumer Product Safety Commission: official Federal Agency website, including recalls, reports, alerts.
Infant/Children Product Recalls (not including toys): Infant/Child Product Recalls (not including toys)
(Listed by date of issue with most recent first).

Toys that are "Made in the USA"

Vermont Teddy Bear Company: Vermont Teddy Bears are the Creative Alternative to Flowers for Birthday gifts, Valentine's Day gifts, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, get well gifts, new baby gifts or any occasion. All Vermont Teddy Bears are handmade in Vermont and guaranteed for life. Show you care - send a bear.
Maple Landmark Woodcraft: While much is being made of the dangers of imported products, there are alternatives. We craft a wide range of wooden toys, games, and gifts made right here in Vermont, USA. We follow American standards of product safety, employee safety, and environmental protection. The shortcuts of doing it any other way are not what Maple Landmark is about.
Holgate Toys: America's Finest Wooden Toys Since 1929!
Stack and Stick: Stack and Stick - A better building block.
Tagtoys Superstore: TAG Toys are proudly designed and manufactured in The United States of America.
Uncle Goose: We have been producing the highest quality American Made Alphabet Blocks since 1983. Alphabet Blocks, Froebel Gifts, and our other classic toys aid in the development of fine motor skills, spatial recognition, math, and language skills in kindergarten and pre-school aged children. We also manufacture Alphabet Blocks in many languages, including Danish, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish, as well as Braille and Sign-Language.
Roy Toy: These are the Roy Toy sets that originated in 1930. The box cover and the classic building sets are the original designs. Packaged in plastic
reusable tote that is great for easy storing and quick pick up, a favorite with moms.
Poof-Slinky, Inc: The Slinky® is still made in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania with the original equipment Richard James created. The Slinky® has changed little in over 60 years. A crimp was added to the ends of the wire to ensure safe play. At $2.99, the Slinky® remains a value-priced toy for children of all ages.
Perlerbeads.com: Perler Rocks! Click the designs above for these cool patterns!
Craftsbury Kids: Craftsbury Kids - New Arrivals Gift Ideas Toys Baby Art & Decor Books Clothing Sale! Holiday Gift Guide USA Made Toys European Toys Fair Trade Craftsbury Kids, craftsburykids.com, handmade, toys, gifts, baby, clothing, art, kids, babies, children.

John Ratzenberger's "Made in America" Toys

Made in America : Slinky Toys : Travel Channel: John Ratzenberger gets the story behind Slinky Toys.
Made in America : Marx Toys : Travel Channel: John Ratzenberger gets the story behind Marx Toys.
Made in America : Maple Landmark Woodcraft : Travel Channel: John Ratzenberger gets the story behind Maple Landmark Woodcraft.

Mattel Toys Recall Links List

Mattel Consumer Relations Answer Center - Recall: There has been a recall announcement for Fisher-Price toys representing various Nickelodeon and Sesame Street characters.
Mattel CEO: 'Rigorous standards' after massive toy recall - CNN.com: The CEO of Mattel Inc. insisted Tuesday that his company has "rigorous standards" and apologized as the company was forced to recall millions of toys for the second time in two weeks.
Mattel Apologizes To China Over Recalls: LOS ANGELES - Mattel Inc. tried to save face Friday with Chinese officials, taking the blame for the recent recalls of millions of Chinese-made toys as it strives to mend a strained relationship with the nation that makes most of its toys and fattens its profit.

Mattel recalls 1.5 million toys

Aug. 2 - A major US toy maker is recalling 1.5 million Chinese-made toys because of high levels of lead in the paint. The recalled toys made for Mattel's Fisher-Price range include popular pre-school characters like Elmo and Big Bird along with dozens of other items. The recall comes amid heightened concern worldwide about the safety of China's exports. Mattel said it had isolated two-thirds of the affected toys before they reached the shelves. In the United States, the Fisher-Price toys were sold nationwide between May and August. Customers who are worried are advised to go to Mattel's website for more information. Helen Long reports.

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