Toymaker Ty Inc. refuses to recall toxic doll of death

Sure, I like to harp about how greedy corporate interests are always putting profits over the public good. I don’t spend any time looking at all the good things big corporations do for society, you say. I’m thinking maybe you have a point. Then, of course, I come across Sam Roe’s and Ted Gregory’s story, “Toymaker fights state recall,” in the Chicago Tribune (via The Consumerist) and all my skepticism seems worthwhile.

Here’s what happened after Illinois officials asked Ty Inc. why the Jammin’ Jenna doll, which tests show has unsafe levels of lead, was still on shelves:

When the attorney general’s office confronted Ty, best known for its Beanie Babies, the Westmont-based company said it would no longer sell new versions of Jammin’ Jenna to Illinois retailers. But it refused to recall dolls already in stores, according to the state.

The Tribune, by the way, has done some fine work over the last year with their investigative series Hidden Hazards: Kids At Risk.