China bans sale of toys linked to date-rape drug

The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. has recalled Chinese-made Aqua Dots from store shelves as the toys contain a chemical that converts into a “date rape” drug when ingested.

The year of recalls is going stronger than ever, with China leading bulk of these recalls. This one is more serious in nature: The toys are manufactured in China for Australia-based Moose Enterprises, which sells them in 40 countries including the US. The toys are sold as Aqua Dots in the U.S. and as Bindeez in Australia. Aqua Dots consist of colored beads that can be arranged into designs and then fused together when sprayed with water. The recall was reported first in Australia, when officials pulled them off shelves after three children there were hospitalized after swallowing the beads. It was later discovered that a chemical in the toy converts into a “date rape” drug when ingested. Seven more U.S. children were reportedly sickened in the same manner because of the toxic chemical coating. When ingested, the chemical transforms into the “date rape” drug gamma hydroxy butyrate. This may cause breathing problems, mental confusion, coma, loss of consciousness and even death. A spokeswoman, Julie Vallese, for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said they had reports of sickened children from five states: Texas, Delaware, New Hampshire, Illinois and Utah. The agency recalled the Spin Master Aqua Dots toy Wednesday after two children were knocked unconscious, and then hospitalized after eating the beads. Vallese said they received additional reports of more children sickened by this product, bringing the total to nine. The recall from the agency covers 4.2 million Aqua Dots toys from across the nation. The CPSC will now follow-up with retailers to remove the toys from the shelves and also do surveillance. The CPSC will also contact auction websites and second-hand stores to ensure they don’t resell these goods. China’s government has now suspended the exports of toys after they were recalled in many countries according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. They say they have sealed the manufacturing plant and are doing an investigation by the quality control department. Consumers are encouraged to return the toy back to its distributor, Spin Master, a Toronto-based company who will provide a replacement toy. Contact Spin Master´s customer service department at: (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. et, Monday through Friday to arrange to receive reformulated replacement beads or an item of similar value. I would almost say the best thing to do is avoid giving any toys to children until the situation improves. It seems we have a serious problem with them -- first lead paint and now the date rape drug.