Kids fall ill in NSW and US from drug toy
November 08, 2007 08:59pm
Article from: AAP
THE Bindeez toy scare has spread to North America with two children there falling ill after swallowing beads containing a chemical the body converts into the illegal party drug fantasy.
Thousands of stores in the US and Canada, including giant retailer Toys 'R Us, are clearing the toy from their shelves after scientists discovered it contains a chemical that converts into gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB), also known as fantasy or Grievous Bodily Harm.
Two North American children had been admitted to hospital in a near comatose state after swallowing the toy's beads, it emerged today.
In Australia and New Zealand, six children have fallen ill after ingesting the beads.
Manufactured in Hong Kong and distributed by Moose Enterprises, the toy, known in Australia as Bindeez, is similar to a product called Aqua Dots in North America.
Both Bindeez and Aqua Dots contain small beads that can easily be swallowed by a child.
Bindeez, the 2007 Australian Toy of Year, has been pulled from shelves across Australia after a two-year-old New South Wales boy and a 10-year-old New South Wales girl were hospitalised over the past two weeks after swallowing 60 beads.
A Queensland toddler fell ill on Tuesday, while yesterday it emerged two children in New Zealand had needed hospital treatment after swallowing Bindeez beads.
The toy company's North American representatives, Spinmaster, today issued a statement saying the product was being recalled there.
"Following notification by Moose Enterprises of a recall in Australia of a product called Bindeez, which is similar to the line of toys we distribute for them in North America under the Aqua Dots brand, we are requesting that retailers remove the Aqua Dots toy from retail shelves and sale in North America," the statement said.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we have stopped shipping this item and are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada."
In NSW, a spokeswoman for Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital confirmed a toddler had been admitted this afternoon after swallowing Bindeez beads.
"The child is in a serious but stable condition," she said.
The family has asked the hospital to withhold further details about the child.
Authorities in NSW raised the alarm on Monday, and NSW Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney has said Moose Enterprises was cooperating in a national recall and refund program.
Moose will refund returns of Bindeez toys in Australia and has set up a telephone hotline (1800 303 895).
Information is also available at the company's website mooseworld.com.au.
from news.com.au
So here is the thing. How the hell were these toys released in the first place? I am presuming that somewhere along the line of production at least one person had the thought the glue used for these children's toys could endanger the lives of the consumer. And if not, why not?
Kids love to put things where they don't belong. Whether it be ears, noses or mouths. Its what they do. It is part of growing up. this company is in the business of making toys for children yet obviously do not know there audience let alone care for their well being. I was horrified to hear that the consumer watchdog in Victoria and NSW took over 24 hours to act on the discovery that the product could kill. how many levels of irresponsibility can there be in this case?
I hope Moose are prepared to pay for the lives endangered in their lack of research and if they survive as a company, I certainly hope they learn from their incompetence and get to know their consumers.
I wonder how many people chasing a high went searching for Bindeez in toy stores after the news of this broke?
*I had to giggle at the news.com.au page that this appeared on. The image of the baby above was on the same page advertising a mobile phones story.
