After all the publicity about the recalls of toxic toys from China and the danger of lead poisoning for kids who use them, comes a story out of Australia that raises concern to a whole new level and has already had an impact in Canada.
Officials in the land Down Under have ordered a popular plaything made in the Far East called back after it was discovered it contained a chemical that turns into a powerful date rape drug if it's ingested by children. At least three youngsters have already been sent to hospital suffering from the effects of gamma hydroxy butyrate or
GHB.
It's not that someone put the drug into the beads found in Bindeez (top left.) It's just that when swallowed, the chemicals used in their manufacture turn into the drug inside the body. Symptoms that follow can include drowsiness, unconsciousness, seizure, coma and even death.
The specific toy isn't sold in Canada but a similar one called Aqua Dots is. While no official recall has been issued here, Toys 'R Us has voluntarily pulled that product from its shelves because it's made by the same company that manufactures the Aussie item in question. Parents here who have the toy are advised to think twice before letting their kids play with it.
It's the latest in a long line of worries about toys made in China. Manufacturers like the country because labour is cheap and it helps keep the costs down on store shelves. But many are reconsidering that strategy after a year filled with seemingly non-stop call backs over dangers of lead contamination and other problems.
The troubles have cost toy makers millions of dollars and have harmed the reputations of giants like Mattel.
Meanwhile, there was another huge toy recall in the U.S. on Wednesday. At least 405,000 products made in China have been pulled, once again over lead concerns. Among the playthings:
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380,000 Pull-Back Action Toy Cars
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7,500 Dragster and Funny Car toys
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Duck Family Collectable Wind-Up Toys,
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Dizzy Ducks Music Box,
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"Robot 2000" collectable tin robot and
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Winnie-the-Pooh Spinning Top.