Toys 'R' Us is recalling about 27,000 Imaginarium wooden coloring cases that were made in China because they violate federal lead paint standards.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall yesterday, said the 213-piece colouring cases were sold at the toy retailer's stores and on its website from October 2006 through August 2007 for about $20.

The printed ink on the outer packaging of the wood case contains lead, and some of the black watercolour paint contains excessive levels of lead, the agency said.

It marks the latest in a string of recalls of Chinese-made products due to lead paint, including Mattel Inc's recent recall of Pixar Sarge die-cast toy cars, and Sesame Street and Dora the Explorer toys.

Lead paint has been linked to health problems in children, including brain damage.

The spate of recalls has sparked concern over the quality of products made in China.