Shoppers are being warned not to buy children certain cheap toys and lipsticks which have been found to contain alarmingly high levels of lead.
The Commerce Commission is investigating six toys which have been sold at some Bargain, Coin Save and Dollar City shops in the Auckland region.
The Ministry of Health has requested a voluntary recall of four brands of children's lipstick, which contain low levels of toxic substances that should not be used in cosmetics at all.
The commission says it is treating the investigation as a matter of extreme urgency.
One of the toys involved - a Combat Mission Gun bought from Coin Save in Waiuku - was found to have 314 times the acceptable level.
The commission's enforcement manager, Greg Allan, says it is concerned a child might ingest or absorb the lead from playing with or chewing the toy.
The commission has removed the toys from the stores it knows are selling them, but fears there may be other shops that still have them on the shelves.
Mr Allan says once they have tracked down the supplier, that person could face prosecution.
The commission was alerted to the toxic lead levels after the Ministry of Consumer Affairs tested toys as part of its surveillance programe.
Lipsticks recalled
Routine testing also showed four brands of children's lipstick contain low levels of lead.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, John Holmes, says it has asked retailers to withdraw the lipsticks from sale immediately.
Dr Holmes says the lipsticks were found in at least two discount stores, and a commuity pharmacy - but it is not yet known how widely they are being distributed.
The brands of lipstick that have been voluntarily recalled are K.K. Lipstick, Coral Colours Cosmetics, Ludy and Midie Lipstick. They should either be returned to the store, or disposed of immediately.
A clinical director at Auckland's Starship Hospital, Dr Mike Shepherd, says parents who are worried their child may have ingested lead should contact their local GP.
More details about the lipsticks and toys being investigted are on the Commerce Commission's website.
