China Toy Recalls Hit Barbie

"As a result of the company's ongoing investigation of its toys manufactured by vendors in China, the company has voluntarily recalled 11 (types of) toys globally," the statement from company headquarters in El Segundo, California said.

It is the third such recall of Chinese toys this summer.

Prior recalls affecting millions of toys prompted an internal investigation of Mattel toys made by Chinese vendors, which resulted in Tuesday's recall of 522,000 items within the United States and 322,000 more worldwide, the statement said.

Mattel blamed Chinese manufacturers for using "uncertified paints" with excessive amounts of lead, especially in yellow, brown and orange paints applied to the toys.

"Consequently, several subcontractors are no longer manufacturing Mattel toys," said Mattel's chief officer Robert Eckert in the statement.

Several of the affected items are Barbie accessories, but not the dolls themselves, Mattel said.

The company also recalled three toys in its Fisher-Price range, again made by Chinese manufacturers, and will refund the purchase price to consumers.

The toys that are being pulled from store shelves include Barbie kitchen and furniture items, Fisher-Price train toys and Bongo Band drums. Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law.