McDonald’s will recall about 12 million
”
Shrek
”
drinking glasses because federal regulators found they contain
the toxic metal cadmium, which can pose health risks.
McDonald’s will recall about 12 million “Shrek” drinking glasses because federal regulators found they contain the toxic metal cadmium, which can pose health risks.
The glasses have been sold for $2 apiece at McDonald’s restaurants across the country as a promotional tie-in with the popular movie. Purchasers will be advised to keep them away from children and to return them to McDonald’s for a refund.
The recall, which will be officially announced Friday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, was set in motion by an anonymous tip last week that came to U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif. Speier alerted the consumer commission, which in turn tested the glasses on an accelerated basis, confirming the presence of cadmium.
Speier’s office said that McDonald’s, at the urging of the commission, voluntarily agreed to recall the glasses.
Though Speier commended McDonald’s for acting quickly, her office also said the fast-food giant and other corporations must “do a better job of thoroughly reviewing their domestic and international supply chains to keep products with potentially dangerous elements from ever hitting their shelves.”
It was not immediately known where the glasses had been produced or how they came to contain cadmium.
“Our children’s health should not depend on the consciences of anonymous sources,” Speier said. “Although McDonald’s did the right thing by recalling these products, we need stronger testing standards to ensure that all children’s products are proven safe before they hit the shelves. Cadmium is a toxic substance that is extremely dangerous to the developmental health of children.”
McDonald’s spokesman Walt Riker said in an interview: “We’ve had a good, constructive two-way dialogue with the congresswoman’s office and with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”
The commission declined comment.
In the past, the safety commission has warned manufactures to avoid cadmium in children’s products. Speier said the episode points to the need for stronger safety measures. Earlier in the year, Speier introduced legislation banning cadmium and other toxic metals from children’s jewelry.
