McDonald’s is recalling 12 million drinking glasses it is selling to promote the new “Shrek” movie because painted designs on the cheap collectables contain the toxic metal cadmium.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission warned consumers to immediately stop using the glasses; McDonald’s said it would post instructions on its website next week regarding refunds.
The glasses, which are being sold for about $2 each as part of a promotional campaign for the movie Shrek Forever After, were available in four designs depicting the characters Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots and Donkey…
The CPSC noted in its recall notice that “long-term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects.” Research has shown it can cause problems to the kidneys and can cause bone softening.
In the case of the Shrek-themed glassware, the potential danger would be long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium, which could leach from the paint on to a child’s hand, then enter the body if the child puts that unwashed hand to his or her mouth.
Though the amount of cadmium leaching from the paint is only a fraction above limits – which the CPSC is still developing – McDonalds is cooperating in the recall.
You may not see much of a political flap over this. The glasses weren’t made in China.
“And the glasses weren’t made in China!” /// So, I’m thinking Mexico===but NOOooooo! Pyrex glass right here in GOUSA!!
I’d love to see the initial spec requirements. I’d think by now Pyrex ((fer christ’s sake!!)) would have the consumer glass ware division requirements down pretty pat?
Or easily, McD just got spooked what with the “standards still not set or under review?”
On the issue of HEAVY METAL and kiddies you’d think “everyone” would have a zero use policy by now?
So, JUST LIKE THE CHINESE–just good capitalists selling poison to the consumers.
Who here, c’mon==raise your hands, thinks that poisoning the public should be left to the free market system?
Egad! What color was it? Cadmium red, orange, blue, yellow?
Will numerous pieces of art be recalled, too?
How many McDonalds glasses would a child have to eat to become poisoned?
For that matter, how many oil paintings would I have to eat to be toast?
It doesn’t matter. The kids will break the glasses by the third use.
And, isn’t the paint on the outside of the glasses?
Of course, if it weren’t for children and their gullible parents, Mac D would be a small fraction of its current self. So, I guess they will kiss the tush of parents regardless of how silly it is.
Funny, I never use promotional glasses. I bought the Star Trek glasses from Burger King, but like a nerd, left them in the original packages.
I bought all clear glasses because I grew up in a house with out matching glasses. Everyone of our glasses growing up was promotional. I have dinner parties and want to look like I have some kind of tastes.
#3 “And, isn’t the paint on the outside of the glasses?”
Yeah, but now rules are made as if everyone is a two-year-old who licks everything.
#3 “The kids will break the glasses by the third use.”
It was usually about the 25th use for me growing up.
what do you wanna bet the paint came from China
At a supermarket I watched as a two year old kid opened a “child proof” bottle of liquid laundry detergent and tried to drink the contents. I stopped him. That batch was not recalled.
Presumably the glasses have already been handled by the employees at the various restaurants, and the cadmium has been transferred in small amounts to the equipment, food, clothing, etc. Does it taste sweet like lead?
I echo PMitchell. Nowhere does the article say where the raw materials came from. Where was the glass made? Here in the US or elsewhere?
Where was the paint made?
We don’t have the full story.
BUT… Remember what happened to Mattel when they had their recall? They were brought before the Chinese government and MADE TO APOLOGIZE for wanting their stuff too cheap (and hence the lead paint)!!
So I imagine the true source of the Cadmium may never be revealed.
#1, RTFA.
“Arc is based in France and owns the Pyrex brand of cookware in Europe.”
Pyrex USA is owned by World Kitchen LLC and manufactured in Pennsylvania.
Haha, read the headline and thought “Was the movie THAT bad?”
Bat21–yes, thank you. I read it and assumed a closer connection between Pyrex a la Francaise and the USA. Indeed, we need the government to control misleading use of Trademarks in such manner. Who knew the French didn’t care about poisoning their kiddie cups?
I thought THIS blog posted a while back about the new consumer law regarding the new testing all “child” products had to undergo which was going to put many small manufacturers out of business? I recall raw wood products that were nand carved were all going to dissappear as a result? Maybe the Frogs got “le waiver?”
Cadmium poisoning can’t be any worse than watching Shreck.
The cadmium in the glasses would be only marginally more toxic than the so called “Food” that is prepared and sold in these establishments.
#6 – I had to look it up to be sure but my memory proved correct: China is the largest producer of Cd. Coincidence? Probably.
Of general significance, absorption of Cd transdermally is not usually a serious consideration. The toxic effect is most prominent in industrial workers who inhale the fumes. It can also build up to toxic levels by ingesting the element. The most common method of inhaling Cd is through cigarette smoke.
This seems like a serious over-reaction to me but kudos to McDonalds for not taking any chances.
Now, light up, kids.
By the way, if you managed to get a set of the glasses, hang onto ’em. They’ll be worth a fortune in a few years. If we have an economy left…
was interesting . good luck .
#15–Animby==thank you for that input. I think we have the picture now. “Science” tells us that ingestion of .0001 parts cadmium is bad for the kiddies. McD determined that normal use of these classes could provide .000000001 exposure but they know they can be sued for coffeee that is too hot and afterall it would only take 1000000 big gulps before this exposure level would be reached.
Given it is McD’s goal that every kiddie visits at least that number of times before dying from the ingestion of salt and fat, they moved rapidly to protect their market.
Well Done. Bozo would be proud.
Actually the glasses sound healthier than the rest of their food.
#16 – Animby said: “By the way, if you managed to get a set of the glasses, hang onto ‘em. They’ll be worth a fortune in a few years. If we have an economy left…”
Read in the news that 7 millions were sold before the recall… I don’t think 7 millions glasses qualify as “rarity”.