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McDonald's Canada is recalling all four versions of its “Shrek”-themed drinking glasses after a mass recall south of the border. Earlier this morning, McDonalds in the U.S. announced that they were recalling some 12 million "Shrek" themed glasses after cadmium was found in the paint used in the glasses' cartoon design.
McDonald's Canada says its recall was made “in an abundance of caution” following consultations with Health Canada.
The 16-ounce "Shrek" glasses, which sold around $2, were collectables tied to the movie’s release last week, sporting one of four characters from the film: Shrek, Donkey, Puss in Boots or Princess Fiona. The recall notice, posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, told people to stop using the glasses immediately and wait for refund instructions from McDonald’s.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission will address the warning today, advising consumers to immediately stop using the glasses. The recall was spurred by anonymous tip to California Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier last week.
The CPSC states that "long-term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects." Cadmium, which is used to create reds and yellows in some paints, is a known carcinogen substance that like lead, can hinder brain development in the very young, according to research. It has also been linked to bone softening and severe kidney problems.
"A very small amount of cadmium can come to the surface of the glass, and in order to be as protective as possible of children, CPSC and McDonald's worked together on this recall," CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson told the Associated Press.
He would not specify the amounts of cadmium that leached from the paint in tests, but said the amounts were "slightly above the protective level currently being developed by the agency."
McDonald's USA spokesman Bill Whitman told Associated Press, "We believe the Shrek glassware is safe for consumer use." "However, again to ensure that our customers receive safe products from us, we made the decision to stop selling them and voluntarily recall these products effective immediately."
McDonald's Canada also noted in its statement this morning that "the glassware was evaluated by an independent third-party laboratory and determined to be fully in compliance with all applicable Canadian requirements at the time of manufacture and distribution."
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 Mr. Whitman.
The recall will be addressed today, so check back on refund instructions.
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