Best recall ever: Australian toy turns into DRUGS

Now I feel cheated that I didn't get high every time I swallowed my Legos. An Australian craft toy called Bindeez has been recalled because the easily-ingestible pieces contain chemicals that turn into the famed date-rape drug GHB when eaten. Whoah! "Don't cry, little Jimmy -- the shaking means you're just gettin' used to ridin' the grape dragon!"

A popular children's toy found to contain a chemical that the human body turns into the party drug "fantasy", or "GHB", has been banned in three states and is being recalled by its Melbourne creator.

Three children, two in (New South Wales) and one in Queensland, have been admitted to hospital in the past 10 days after ingesting the toy's beads. The toy is produced by Melbourne company Moose and won this year's toy of the year award at the Melbourne Toy and Hobby Fair. Bindeez consists of colourful craft beads that are joined together to create designs. They are sprayed with water to fix them.

Who could be behind this nefarious plot to introduce the "party drug 'fantasy'" or "grievous bodily harm" to Australia's innocent children? Of course -- the Chinese:

The company yesterday ordered a nationwide recall of the Chinese-made product, saying a chemical had been substituted without the company's knowledge. The toy contains beads that have been found to contain a chemical that the body metabolises into gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB), also known as "grievous bodily harm". It should instead contain a non-toxic glue.

Scientists in NSW discovered the chemical's link to GHB, which can have serious effects such as seizures and is potentially life-threatening. Moose's marketing manager, Christie Nicholas, said the voluntary product recall followed a small number of incidents worldwide in which children had swallowed beads and needed medical attention.

"These incidents did not result in any long-term effects," she said. "When used as intended and clearly instructed, the product is safe. However, if misused and swallowed, it may have adverse results and cause the child to become ill."

Ms. Nicholas said that when the product was returned to the market an ingredient would be added to the beads to produce a foul taste.

"Foul taste?" I don't know how much Ms. Nicholas knows about kids, but it took a lot more than "foul taste" to get me off of poppers when I was a toddler. Just look at those toys -- they look like acid-trip sculptures made of uppers and downers. Chemical mix-up or not, it certainly wouldn't be the first time illegal drugs were covertly marketed to children.

Via The Age (Australia)

Image Credit: The Age