Mega Brands, consumer magazine spar over lead level claims

Quebec consumer magazine "Protegez-Vous" is standing by its claim that blocks made by toymaker Mega Brands Inc haveelevated lead levels.

Tests on lead concentration in a sample of toy building blocks are valid and were done according to Health Canada standards, the non-profit magazine said at a news conference Wednesday.

But Mega Brands said in a statement they "have just learned that Health Canada tested Mega Bloks and declared it safe."

"This confirmation puts to rest the confusion Protegez-Vous created," president and CEO Marc Bertrand said Wednesday in a statement.

"We are pleased that Health Canada, the Canadian Toy Association and Bureau Veritas have now all confirmed that our products are safe," Bertrand said.

Mega Brands is also seeking an injunction in Quebec Superior Court to prevent distribution of the magazine's 2008 toy guide, which is to be available this Friday.

Montreal-based Mega Brands has said "Protegez-Vous" used an inaccurate test to determine the lead content in a sample of its toy building blocks.

While it is not unusual for plastic products to contain traces of lead, they can be toxic if ingested by young children.