Recall for toys with 'date rape' chemical

Up to 500,000 Bindeez children's craft toys are being recalled across Ireland and Britain over concerns the product contains a chemical that converts to a powerful "date rape" drug when ingested.  Paul Cullen , Consumer Affairs Correspondent, reports.

Character Group, which distributes Bindeez toys, has asked retailers and consumers to return the products following reports that children in the United States and Australia have been taken to hospital after swallowing beads that form part of their products.

The toy beads, which are made in China, can be arranged into designs and fused together when sprayed with water.

Scientists have said a chemical coating on the beads, when ingested, metabolises into the date rape drug gammahydroxy- butyrate, which has also been abused by clubbers and bodybuilders.

The National Consumer Agency, which earlier this week called on Irish toy shops to take the product off their shelves, welcomed the recall decision by Character Group.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times