Skip to main content
News release

Moms Urge Toys “R” Us to Live Up to Its Promise to Pull Toxic Toys from Shelves

February 4, 2011

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

National Mom Advocacy Group Sends Card and Petition to Company Headquarters Urging Removal of Products Containing or Packaged with PVC
In 2008, Toys “R” Us issued a news release indicating that it would reduce the use of a common but dangerous toxin called polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in products and packaging and offer more PVC-free products. That has not yet happened. MomsRising.org, an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization for moms and everyone who has a mom and cares about family economic security, is urging the company to make good on that promise.
 
The group has sent a card to Toys “R” Us headquarters along with a petition bearing the signatures of nearly 15,000 moms, dads and others concerned about children’s health, urging the company to keep its promise “to keep kids safe from toxic PVC chemicals in toys and packaging.”
 
PVC chemicals have been linked to rising chronic diseases in children, including learning disabilities, obesity and cancer. According to a report from the Center for Health, Environment & Justice toys that have tested positive for PVC include Barbie, “Toys Story 3” Woody and Buzz Lightyear figures, Disney Princess Royal Giggles doll, Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Hangout, Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Diego figures, Sesame Street Elmo Faucet Cover, Club Penguin figurines, Imaginext toddler action figures and many others, from dolls and balls, to baby bath time toys and products, and even My Name Sippy Cups. PVC was also found in toys whose brands are owned by Geoffrey LLC, a subsidiary of Toys “R” Us, including You and Me dolls, Especially for Baby, and Sizzlin’ Time items. The tests were conducted by the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
 
“Chemicals that can irreparably ruin a child’s life and health have no place in our stores or our homes,” said MomsRising Executive Director Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. “Toys ‘R’ Us made a promise to its customers. We teach our children that when you make a promise, you have to keep it. And keeping this promise can make the difference in children’s lives. We are only asking Toys ‘R Us to live up to its word.”
 
MomsRising organized the petition drive to support a campaign directed by the Center for Health Environment and Justice.
 

# # # #

MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.