Spain joins Chinese toy recall
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish authorities have ordered two Chinese-made toy kits to be recalled, following the lead of the United States and Australia, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.
The National Consumers Institute is recalling Aqua Dots, made by Spin Master, and a similar toy Bindeez, made by Mouse Enterprise because they could be dangerous, the ministry said. It did not say how many toys were affected by the recall.
In the United States, 4.2 million Aqua Dots craft kits were recalled because the beads could contain a chemical similar to a "date rape" drug and cause unconsciousness, respiratory depression or seizures if swallowed.
Australia has banned Bindeez after three children fell severely ill after swallowing beads from the toy.
In Spain, the two games are distributed by Toys'R'Us, Hasbro y Giochi Preziosi.
Earlier on Thursday, officials said consumer and enterprise chiefs from the European Union and United States would meet in Washington on Friday to agree on worldwide standards for global toy safety after a spate of recalls of Chinese-made toys.
(Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Writing by Jane Barrett)
