Thursday, November 08, 2007

Date Rape Drug in Toys -- Move Along, Nothing to See Here

While the Consumer Product Safety Commission is trying to reduce its staff size and get out of that whole product safety biz, we've got a brand new Chinese toy recall -- because the toy is coated in a date rape drug.

Heckuva job, CPSC!

Something called "Aqua Dots," billed as this Christmas' Cabbage-Patch-Tickle-Me-Elmo-Must-Have-Thing, contain a chemical that when swallowed turns into a chemical similar to gamma hydroxy butyrate -- or GHB.

Two kids in the U.S. have already been hospitalized.

CPSC Acting Commissioner Nancy Nord recently sent letters to Congress asking them to reduce the agency's budget and cut its staff. That staff is already overworked. But the staff's been causing problems for big businesses. Just last month, they ordered 60 recalls -- 25 for toys and other items covered in led paint. (MSNBC)