Chinese manufacturer issues Aqua Dots apology

CBC News

The Chinese manufacturer of a toy that was found to contain a powerful chemical that metabolizes into a potent date-rape drug when consumed has issued an apology.

The toys, sold under the name Aqua Dots in North America and Bindeez in Australia, included beads made by Hong Kong's Jssy Ltd.

Spin Master Ltd. has recalled about 4.2 million Aqua Dots toys in North America.
(Health Canada) "The incident has given the 'Made in China' brand a negative [impact] during the Christmas season," company director Liao Juyuan told reporters at a news conference in Shenzen. "I have to deeply apologize."

The toys were coated with 1,4-butanediol, which when ingested can cause unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.

The toys were pulled from store shelves in early November, after three children who swallowed the beads fell ill within a 10-day period. At least nine children in the U.S. were sickened after ingesting the beads. No illnesses have been reported in Canada.

Toronto-based distributor Spin Master Ltd. has issued a North American recall of about 4.2 million Aqua Dots toys.

In recent months, U.S. and Canadian officials have issued a series of recalls of made-in-China toys for safety problems.

With files from the Associated Press