A total of 190 products were recalled last year across consumer goods, food, and pharmaceuticals, according to City law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC).

The consumer goods category - which includes Mattel's Fisher Price toys - saw the biggest rise to 91 recalls from 73 the previous year.

Food and drink recalls also increased from 71 to 74, while recalls in the pharmaceuticals category dropped from 35 to 27.

RPC said total recalls rose to 190 from 179 the previous year.

RPC partner Mark Kendall said: "We have been warning for years of the risks in uncontrolled out-sourcing to China and other developing countries.

"Many companies need the cost savings from outsourcing to China to drive their earnings, but the statistics show that putting in place proper quality-control procedures to protect their customers is easier said than done."

Mr Kendall warned: "While lessons will have been learned from the Mattel recall, the problem will not be solved over night. We expect to see more of the same."

RPC said quality controls were less robust in China than in the UK and other Western countries.