Friday, November 30, 2007

Chinese maker apologizes for toys tainted with 'date rape' chemical

A Chinese manufacturer is apologizing for "damaging" the image of products made in China by producing toys that were tainted with a "date rape" drug.

The director of the company (Jssy Ltd.) says the incident has given the "Made in China" brand a negative impact during the Christmas season.

The popular craft toys, known as Aqua Dots in North America and Bindeez in Australia, were pulled from store shelves earlier this month. At least nine children in the U.S. and three in Australia became sick after swallowing the beads.

The toys are coated with a chemical, which when eaten, can metabolize into the so-called date-rape drug (gamma hydroxy butyrate) - which can cause breathing problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.

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