Thursday, October 27, 2011

Company Whose Toy Beads Metbolized to Date-Rape Drug GHB Fined

From the AP via the WaPo:
The federal government slapped a hefty $1.3 million fine on a toy company that sold popular arts-and-crafts beads that were linked to a dangerous drug and sickened about a dozen children.The civil penalty, announced Thursday, marks the third largest toy-related fine issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Aqua Dots toy beads were imported by Spin Master in 2007 and recalled after tests showed they were coated with a chemical that, when ingested, can metabolize into the so-called “date-rape” drug gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). The compound can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death....MORE 
Here's CNN's 2007 Holiday Shopping Forecast:
12 Best toys of 2007
Aqua Dots Super Studio  
Toys Wishes magazine call this "one of the most innovative activity sets" to hit the market in a long time....
Marketed in Australia as Bindeez it was also named the Australian "Toy of the Year" for aught-seven.

"Gee the kids are so quiet and well behaved".