U.S. safety officials have recalled more than 4 million of the popular Chinese-made Aqua Dots bead toys. The toy's coating contains a chemical that, when swallowed, converts into the toxic drug GHB, or gamma-hydroxy butyrate.
At high doses, GHB can cause comas, seizures, and hypotonia, a condition in which all muscles become very flaccid. It has gained notoriety in recent decades from its use as a “date rape” drug.
The toys, aimed at children 4 years and older, have been selling in the U.S. retail as "Aqua Dots" and in Australia as "Bindeez Beads."
The toy was named toy of the year in Australia, and recently made Wal-Mart's list of top 12 Christmas toys.
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