Toy stores countrywide have removed Aqua Dots beads from their shelves after it became known that the toy beads are coated in a chemical which becomes the "rape drug" when ingested. Approximately 4 million Aqua Dots toys were pulled from shelves in the US. The toy, which is manufactured in China, is also marketed in Australia under the brand name Bindeez Beads.
Scientists say a chemical coating on the beads, when ingested, metabolizes into the so-called date rape drug, gamma hydroxy butyrate. The toy beads were supposed to be coated with 1,5-pentanediol, a non-toxic compound found in glue, but instead contained 1,4-butanediol which is much cheaper.
Despite the fact that the importer of Aqua Dots, Alfit Toys, has recalled the item, and the Ministry of Industry Trade and Labor has instructed its inspectors to check for the dangerous toys in stores, there is a strong likelihood that it is still being sold. This is because the product is very popular in Israel and is sold in most toy stores.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on November 11, 2007
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