Associated Press reported today that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), together with McDonald’s, is recalling the “Shrek”- themed drinking glasses due to cadmium contamination, after it was discovered that cadmium was present in the painted design on the glasses.
The glasses (16-ounce) were sold nationwide at McDonald’s. The recall involves approximately 12 million of the cheap collectibles. The painted designs included the main characters of the latest Shrek animated movie (“Shrek Forever After“): Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots and Donkey, and were sold for $2 each.
Long-term exposure to cadmium poses a serious health risk as cadmium is a known carcinogen. It can also cause bone softening and severe kidney problems. However, it is still used to create red and yellow paint, so one of the pigments in the paint used on these specific items contained cadmium in low levels.
The recall stems from fears that cadmium could then leach from the paint and enter the consumer’s body through food held with unwashed hands.
The CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled glasses, and go to McDonald’s website for refunds.
This recall further raises concerns for child safety after the recent recall involving toxic metal found in children’s jewelry. This spring alone, three major retailers, including Wal-Mart, recalled contaminated products with cadmium levels above the currently accepted levels.
So far, the latest recall of contaminated glasses notes that roughly 7 million of the glasses had been sold, while about 5 million more are in stores or have not yet been shipped.
