A popular toy and date rape drug

MELBOURNE: A popular children’s toy, Bindeez, was withdrawn on Tuesday from all toy stores in Australia after scientists found it contained a chemical that mimics the effects of a ‘date rape’ drug when ingested.

Over the past ten days, three children have hospitalised after they swallowed beads from the craft toy. Bindeez was named Australia’s toy of the year.

The beads in the toy are arranged into designs and fuse together when sprayed with water. Scientists say the beads contain a chemical that the human body metabolises into gamma hydroxy butyrate, a drug also known as Fantasy. When ingested, it can induce seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.

New South Wales Minister for Fair Trading Linda Burney took the extreme step of recalling the toys after a 2-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were admitted to a Sydney hospital. A 19-month-old toddler from Queensland also was receiving medical help after eating the beads, Australian Broadcasting Corp said.

The toys are made in Hong Kong and Australian authorities have started investigations. ”I am treating this matter very seriously,” Burney was quoted as saying by a news agency. “One of the considerations is how, in fact, such a substance, such a toxic substance, is actually used in a children's toy.”