Maya asks:

Remember last year the aqua dot toys that had GHB drugs on them? well they returned with a different name, Pixos. The same commercial is being shown on Disney Channel but with the different name. I checked their web site www.buypixos.com but it does not say anything about the ghb. Are these toys safe now?

Well, Maya, if by "safe" you mean, "Did the company stop outsourcing their products to manufacturers who think nothing of sneaking a powerful chemical that turns into a recreational drug when swallowed into a children's toy?" Well, it's hard to say.

The Australian company responsible for the toy, Moose Enterprises, says they've switched factories and changed the name of the toy in order to "protect" consumers from the recalled product.

"Moose's primary focus will continue to be the safety and welfare of children," a spokesperson said.

"By rebranding and re-educating consumers on the differences, we can protect consumers from the recalled product."

I guess it's just up to you to decide whether or not you believe him.

Bindeez are back, but now drug-free

[News.au]

Marc says:

I just picked up the morning edition of the Louisville, KY newspaper - The Courier Journal to read while eating breakfast at a local Waffle House. In it was the following circular ad for a Toys-R-US sale. I almost choked to death when I opened the circular to see on the inside right hand page, just below the fold, a 25% off advertisement for the Aqua Dots starter pack.

I haven't been paying too close attention so I don't know if the whole aquadots/GHB thing has been resolved. But in today's edition of the Ventura County Star, the daily in our Southern California county, an insert from Toy's R Us advertising its "Doorbusters" sale included a 25% off ad for Aquadots. I don't know the situation on the actual store shelves, but I'm curious if instead of recalling the toy they've just decided that date rape at three-quarters the price will make sure their doors get busted down?

Toys R Us

According to KHON news, Walmart's catalog contains two such toys, the "date rape" Aquadots and Fisher-Price's Laugh and Learn kitchen.

Walmart says, "Unfortunately, this book was printed and shipped prior to completion of the additional testing and the recalls of these two products." They also said they're putting up signs informing shoppers of the recalls, (in the hopes that they'll get fewer complaints from people who aren't aware that the toys had been recalled, we assume.)

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Recalled toys make it into Wal-Mart's Holiday Guide [KHON]

China Confirms Poison Was on Toy Beads [NYT]
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Recalled Date Rape Drug-Filled Toy Looks Pretty Cool
Popular Australian Toy Filled With GHB