Kmart joined Toys R Us and Generations Toy Store when it recently removed vinyl
teething toys, rattles and pacifiers from its shelves. Children ingest softeners called phthalates when they suck on these toys. Several European countries have banned or restricted the use of vinyl softened with phthalates in infant toys. Canada's public health agency, Health Canada, has issued an advisory instructing parents and caregivers to dispose of vinyl toys for young children. Manufacturers such as Gerber, Mattel and Little Tikes have also agreed to phase out the use of these toxic softeners.
