TOXIC watchdog BAN Toxics has called on the government to conduct market inspections as lead-containing toys were detected being sold in toy stores across Metro Manila.

The group revealed that an increasing number of retailers are displaying a wide variety of children’s toys in anticipation of early holiday shopping.

These toys include cars, trucks, dolls, musical instruments, robots, battery-operated toys, squeaky toys for toddlers, food-shaped toys, kitchen sets, makeup toys, basketball sets, bubble toys, dinosaur figurines, mini billiards, marbles, and sports toys, according to BAN Toxics.

“We are calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to prevent exposing our children to unsafe toys that may contain toxic chemicals such as lead,” said BAN Toxics Campaign and Advocacy Officer Thony Dizon.

“The lack of proper labeling alone should be reason enough for them to conduct inspections,” Dizon added.

Out of 50 toy samples screened by BAN Toxics, 41 were found to contain lead.