Melissa and Doug Toys are free of all toxins and lead based paint.

Melissa & Doug have 6 children themselves, and are very diligent about the safety of every toy they produce. All of the M&D toys are made in China. After the toys are made according to M&D strict standards they are inspected in the Chinese facilities by M&D employees from the United States (this is very important to remember– M&D DO NOT OUTSOURCE the testing of lead based paints and toxins in toys to a 3rd party or to the manufacturer of the toys, they have a team of employees from the US in China full time to do all the actual testing)

Once the toys are brought to the M&D warehouse in Connecticut from China they are tested again (which is not required) by a different set of M&D employees to make sure nothing was contaminated during the shipping process. After 2 stringent quality control procedures the toys are released to stores.

Hope this helps.

When I was a lass, we had toys that were dangerous, but not from lead (unless you count the ammo in my brother’s BB guns, or the metal in Lawn Darts).

I wish my kids were young enough still for these lovely toys, esp the fold up Princess Castle (that is so beautiful). Wow. The unisex Melissa and Doug castle is also impressive–I may have to order that for my nephews, who are almost 5. They would really love it!