Toys recalled over 'date rape' drug fear

Last updated at 11:36am on 9th November 2007

The toy won the title of Most Popular Toy in Australia in March and it was tipped to be a popular Christmas present in the UK with sales forecast at £10million.

Shares in Character Group plummeted eight per cent today on news of the product recall, as it warned the situation would "inevitably" hit sales in the key pre-Christmas trading period.

Up to 500,000 toys are being recalled after concerns they contain a chemical that converts to a powerful "date rape" drug if ingested.

 

Character Group - the UK distributor of Bindeez beads has asked retailers and consumers across the UK and Ireland to return the products as China froze exports of the similar "Aqua Dots" product.

Scientists have said a chemical coating on the beads, when ingested, metabolises into the Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB

It follows reports that children in the US and Australia have been taken to hospital after swallowing the beads.

They can be arranged into designs and fused together when sprayed with water but scientists have said a chemical coating on the beads, when ingested, metabolises into the gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB).

Character Group said it believes an "unapproved formulation" might have been used in the manufacturing process.

Replacement products will be sent to all consumers and retailers affected by the recall, with the new supplies available from the first week of December, Richard King, chairman of Character Group, said: