Unfortunately for parents out there preparing for the upcoming holiday season, this past year's toy recalls have to be a constant reason for concern, and today we get news of another recall. By now we are pretty adjusted to reading news of recalls due to high levels of lead paint, but today's recall involves something a little more alarming ... a date rape drug!

Yes, you read that right, it has been announced that millions of toy products in North America and Australia have been taken off the shelves after it was discovered that they contained chemicals that, when digested, convert into the date rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate (street name of GHB). The toys in question are toy beads that go by the name Aqua Dots, and are considered a highly popular holiday item, which is distributed by Toronto-based Spin Master Toys. For Australian consumers, the toy sells under the name of Bindeez.

Just how popular is this toy line? This year in Australia it was named toy of the year. Just how dangerous is the ingestion of the drug? If swallowed, one of these beads can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.



If you think your child may already have some of these toys, or if you believe that you may have some stored away for holiday presents, it is recommended that you take these toys away immediately. For more details on this recall, as well as all the other recalls already taken place this year, be sure to visit the U.S. Consumer Product Commission website.

Michael Fowlkes has worked as a stock trader for seven years and spent the last two years working as an analyst for the online investment advisory service Investor's Observer.