Customs will launch an investigation into a toy banned in Australia and recalled in Hong Kong to see if the chemical discovered in it violates the drug control and toy safety l
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The probe came after Australia reported three cases of poisoning involving children who ingested some plastic beads that are part of the award-winning Bindeez toy, made by Moose Enterprise.
Australian authorities reportedly found in the beads a substance that the body converts to gamma-hydroxy-butyrate or (GHB), a date rape drug. The drug is described as "life-threatening" to children.
"We will ascertain if there are any activities that contravene the Dangerous Drug Ordinance and Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance," said a spokeswoman for the Customs and Excise Department.
Widely regarded as a party drug, GHB in liquid or tablet form can relieve anxiety, but it can result in sleep, coma or death.
Toys `R' Us announced it had removed the product from its shelves yesterday but did not release details on how many of the toys had been sold and whether consumers could obtain a refund. The consumers' help line is 2991 6222.
"We are currently following up the matter with the manufacturer while this process is ongoing," the store said.
"We recommend the parents to keep this product away from children until further information is available."
Sogo department store in Causeway Bay reported its stock of Bindeez had sold out.
Moose's Hong Kong office refused to answer questions on the ban yesterday. Overseas reports said the toy was made in the city, though the package only says made in China.
John Ho Wing-shing, of the biochemistry department at Chinese University, said he had not heard of plastic that can turn into GHB.
"It is difficult to tell what turns the plastic into GHB as there are many chemicals involved that serve different functions," he said. "Only the manufacturer knows the formula."
He said the beads might contain GHB or it could be a result of chemical reactions in the human body.
Professor Ho said plastic ingredients such as "phathalate", a toxic softener, had been an increasing concern for regulatory authorities in the United States and the European Union.
Customs records show only one case of GHB cracked in Hong Kong. In 2002, 1.4g of the drug in solid form was seized.
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