Skip to Content

Looking for the best info on potty training your toddler? Click here.

Reebok to pay $1 million penalty for lead paint violation

Categories: Shopping and recalls

Blaming China for all the lead-contaminated products they send to the U.S. is fair, I think. After all, they made the stuff, right? But what about the U.S. companies they make it for? The Consumer Product Safety Commission has promised to make these companies responsible for what they sell and the recent passage of the Consumer Product Safety Commission reform bill gives them more leverage in that regard.

And just to prove they mean business, yesterday the CPSC handed down the largest ever civil penalty for violation of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Reebok was fined $1 million for importing and distributing bracelets containing toxic levels of lead. The Chinese-made bracelets, given away as free gifts with the purchase of children's footwear, were recalled in 2006 after a four-year-old boy died after swallowing the heart pendant attached to the bracelet.

"This civil penalty sends a clear message that the CPSC will not allow companies to put children's safety at risk," Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord said in a release.

The fine was the result of a settlement with Reebok, who deny violating federal law. Since the recall, Reebok says they have established procedures "which ensure all gift-with-purchase and promotional items and premium products associated with our brand meet or exceed the highest quality and safety standards."

Recent Posts

ParentDish Polls

    Hollywood's Hottest Dad
    51% of you voted Hugh Jackman the Hottest Dad in Hollywood by a landslide. Wolverine edged out Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp -- and we can see why.

    Jewel Samad/Getty Images

    Best Stepdad
    How cool would it be to have Ashton Kutcher as your stepdad? Pretty cool, according to 52% of you. After all, you wouldn't have to teach him how to send a text message or use Twitter! Kutcher is pictured here in 2007 with stepdaughters Rumer and Tallulah Willis.

    Evan Agostini/Getty Images

    Who cares about IQ?
    Not ParentDish readers! 80% of you said that this 24-year-old UK mom should be allowed to keep her baby--even after social workers said she was "too stupid" to take care of her.

    Jenny Goodall, Daily Mail / ZUMA Press

    Enough With the Gosselins!
    Will you buy Kate Gosselin's cookbook? 64% of you say no -- and you're also tired of hearing about her.

    David Livingston, Getty Images

    Best Babysitters
    31% of you said that you would leave your kids with Ellen and Portia, while only 9% would trust Oprah to babysit. Interesting, since none of the celebs are parents.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images

    Fav Celeb Mom
    Jennifer Garner is your favorite celebrity mom, beating out Angelina Jolie and First Lady Michelle Obama with 37% of the vote.

    Kris Connor, Getty Images

    Bad Mommy
    Dina Lohan and Courtney Love tied for worst celebrity mom, each with 32% of your votes. Only 3% of you said that Kate Moss was a bad mom, though, which says a lot -- mostly what a mess Dina Lohan is.

    Michael Buckner, Getty Images

    Unimpressed
    Only 8% of you think Bristol Palin a better parent than baby daddy Levi. [Get the full story]

    Getty

    Octo Overload?
    60% of you are worried about her kids. Maybe because she reportedly once stripped under the name "Angelina?" [Get the full story]

    Getty

    Tough to Swallow
    45% of you said this Burger King ad was "totally inappropriate." What would the King say? [Get the full story]

    YouTube

Features

Recent Comments