McDonald's recalls 12M cadmium-tainted Shrek glasses

[G_j]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/06/04/general-us-mcdonald-apos-s-cadmium-shrek_7660259.html


Associated Press
McDonald's pulls 12M cadmium-tainted Shrek glasses
By JUSTIN PRITCHARD , 06.04.10, 02:32 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- McDonald's is recalling 12 million drinking glasses it is selling to promote the new "Shrek" movie because painted designs on the cheap collectibles contain the toxic metal cadmium.

The fast food chain said early Friday that it wants customers to stop using the 16-ounce glasses, which have been sold for about $2 each and were available in four designs depicting the main characters from the animated movie.

Cadmium is a known carcinogen that research shows also can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems

more..

[theophilus]

1. I ain't lovin' it. n/t

[jpak]

2. Well at least is wasn't melamine or lead

whew!

:thumbsdown:

[Blue-Jay]

3. I'm gonna guess that they were made in China.

Article doesn't say, so I'll dig a little bit.

[tammywammy]

4. They were made in New Jersey. n/t

[Blue-Jay]

6. What about the paint they used?

[Quantess]

9. was that a joke?

[tammywammy]

10. No, they were made in New Jersey.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65329220100604?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

"The CPSC said designs on the glasses, made by ARC International in Millville, New Jersey, contain cadmium and "long-term exposure ... can cause adverse health effects." Cadmium is a known carcinogen that research shows also can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems."

[Quantess]

11. Amazing. Something was actually Made in the USA?

[tammywammy]

13. The US still manufacturers quite a lot, contrary to popular opinion.

The US is still the world's largest manufacturer. Even the shirt I just bought is made in the USA.

[Liberal_in_LA]

24. wow. i would have guessed china

[Canuckistanian]

15. That can't be. China has a "most-favored" trade rating

They wouldn't knowingly export poisonous goods would they? The very idea is preposterous.

[Blue-Jay]

18. Here's why I like you:

You're able to make a successful sarcastic statement without using the "sarcasm smiley". People who use that smiley are not able to properly convey sarcasm.

Fact is, Chinese products have been recalled before for containing high levels of Cd (that's cadmium, for those of you without a periodic table of elements handy). Sure, the product may have been finished in NJ, but I suspect that the Cd-laden paint was imported from China.

The fact that we have a different standard for USA-produced products versus imported products is a travesty.



Bonus Rant: The fact that we import products from ANY country that doesn't adhere to our admittedly loose standards regarding workers' rights drives me crazy.

[Canuckistanian]

19. You flatter me, sir

However, I am well-aware of the flood of substandard goods into our countries from the PRC.

As for cadmium, Chinese companies seem to LOVE the stuff to make jewellery and especially children's toys. They seem to have cornered the market on cadmium battery production:
http://www.globalmon.org.hk/en/01news/021gp-battries-cadmium/03other-battery-poisoning/cadmium/

It seems they have a lot of Cd left over to poison our children with.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Cadmium has been banned in metals manufacturing for close to a decade, I think.

Steel parts used to use cadmium for corrosion resistance, but with RoHS in place, that's unavailable in the market...if it's in the paint, I wonder if the glass supplier got a good deal on some really old paint stock?

[MilesColtrane]

7. Over 12 million served (severe kidney problems)

[phleshdef]

8. Who cares about cadmium when you are feeding your kids Mcdonalds in the first place?

Just sayin'

[flvegan]

14. This.

[ima_sinnic]

12. more resources wasted on something that was never needed in the first place (nt)

[Incitatus]

16. x

[dems_rightnow]

17. Today's kids are soft

When I acted up, my parents made me sit in a corner a CHEW cadmium. And we dang well liked it.

[spanone]

20. made in the good 'ol usa

Manufactured by ARC International of Millville, N.J., the glasses were to be sold from May 21 into June. Roughly seven million of the glasses had been sold; another approximately five million are in stores or have not yet been shipped, said Whitman.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37504287/ns/health-food_safety/

[tabasco]

21. They'll be extra collectible now. n/t

[felinetta]

22. Why would anyone eat McD's or other fast food?

[TK421]

23. The cadmium probably triples the nutritional value anyways n/t