McDonald's recalls 100,000 Chicago Bears bobblehead dolls

OAK BROOK, Ill. -- McDonald's Corp. is recalling about 100,000 Chicago Bears bobblehead dolls because the paint on some of the figurines contains excessive levels of lead.

The dolls are designed to look like Bears players Brian Urlacher and Anthony Thomas. They were sold for about $5 in the Chicago area, Rockford, central Illinois and northwest Indiana between Aug. 19 and Sept. 12.

McDonald's spokesman Bill Whitman said Tuesday most promotional items are tested before distribution. In this case, he said, manufacturers sent these dolls to the restaurants before the company was able to review the test results..

A statement posted on the company's Web site said, "Our medical and safety experts have assured us that normal handling of this product in the amount of time this figurine has been on the market does not pose a significant health risk."

The paint could cause lead poisoning if ingested over time, the statement continued.

McDonald's stopped selling the dolls after learning about the problem, he said.

The restaurant chain plans to terminate its contract with doll supplier Bobble Dreams USA, of Fountain Valley, Calif., which is participating in the recall.

Replacement dolls are not available. Customers should call the McDonald's Customer Service Center at (800) 244-6227 for information about returning the dolls and receiving a refund.