As a distributor and retailer of natural and organic toys, I know that Parenting, HAS approached us on occasion for samples, but I don’t think much has ever come of it. It is certainly worthwhile to send letters to the editor so that they know that their readers are becoming more savvy and notice such glaring discrepancies.

Hi Rob, thanks for stopping by! Good to know that Parenting has approached you…. And you have a great site! Folks, check out: squidoo.com/challengeandfun

My kids have several little cars, a tea set, a stove, some pots and pans, lots of wooden foods that can be “cut up” with a little wooden knife (the pieces are joined together by velcro), and a rocking horse. Next I’d like to get the little buildings, vehicles, etc. that make up the PlanCity collection.

We’ve had some of these toys for three years and so far nothing has fallen apart or been broken. They are not cheap, but they are well worth the price.

Here’s what their web site says about the consumer and environmental safety of their toys:

We are strongly committed to manufacturing fine-quality and safe educational toys under environment-friendly conditions. The timber we use is plantation rubberwood (Hevea Brasiliensis), which is recovered from old rubber trees after they no longer generate latex and are due for burning. We process and kiln-dry the timber, in a chemical-free environment; no wood preservatives are used whatsoever. The paint which we use to varnish Plan Toys products is non-toxic water-based paint which has been scientifically tested by independent accredited laboratories and found to be safe for children and non-polluting in natural water sources. We use natural latex glue to do the joining work on our toys. In certain cases, we need to use plywood in our production. Special care has been taken to ascertain that our plywood complies with E1 standards, thus ensuring emissions of urea formaldehyde at levels below those acceptable to the World Health Organization (WHO). We do not use PVC in our packaging. All cardboard cartons used in our packaging can be fully recycled.

Holly - thanks so much for sharing this detailed information about Plan Toys. I am especially impressed that they do not use PVC in their packaging. Finding eco-friendly toys and organic foods packaged in PVC plastic is one of my pet peeves. In fact, my latest post lists the need for eco-friendly packaging as one of the top ten organic and eco-friendly products Moms really need. — Lynn

And I am actually opening my own “safe” store on Friday. http://www.nontoxictots.com

Good luck with the store, Mama K! We sure need more non-toxic toys. Hope they are eco-friendly too. — Lynn

Jane (not a big fan of Parents magazine)

Jane - Thanks so much…I will pick up that issue and will probably write a post about it closer to the holidays. In fact, I should subscribe! Thanks, Lynn