AG: Walmart, Target Sold Kid's Toys With Alarming Levels of Lead

Walmart and Target are accused of committing thousands of violations by selling toys with alarming levels of lead across New York State.

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On Thursday, New York Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced a lawsuit against Target Corporation, Walmart Inc. and importer LaRose Industries, for allegedly committing thousands of violations of multiple New York laws governing the safety of children’s toys sold in the state.

The action stems from testing conducted by the Attorney General’s office that found “Cra-Z-Jewelz” jewelry-making kits that were imported by LaRose and sold by Target and Walmart in New York.

The toys contained parts with lead levels up to 10-times higher than the federal limit of 100 parts per million, officials say.

The findings of the Attorney General’s investigation previously resulted in a nationwide recall of the toys.

The lawsuit, filed in Albany County Supreme Court Thursday, alleges that Target, Walmart and LaRose violated multiple New York State laws, including selling hazardous toys and false advertising by importing, distributing, selling, or holding for sale thousands of Cra-Z-Jewelz kits in New York between 2015 and 2016.

“No parent should have to worry that their child’s toy may be toxic. As we allege, these companies imported and sold toys with dangerous levels of toxic lead – jeopardizing the health of New York’s children and breaking the law,” Underwood said. “Our lawsuit seeks to hold these companies accountable for the failures that allowed lead-contaminated toys on store shelves, while forcing them to take responsibility for the safety of the products they sell.”

The suit seeks civil penalties from the retailers and LaRose for the alleged violations and a court order to require the companies to implement additional measures to ensure they do not again sell children’s toys containing high levels of lead in New York.

People who are exposed to lead, especially children, can develop behavioral and learning problems, officials say.

AG: Walmart, Target Sold Kid’s Toys With Alarming Levels of Lead