by Leigh Goessl

Created on: June 04, 2010   Last Updated: August 31, 2010

McDonald's is well known for their marketing campaigns directed at children. Their most current campaign, which features collectable drinking glasses from the latest "Shrek 4: Forever After" movie, has been a big hit. The 16 oz glasses each featured one of four characters, Shrek, Fiona, Puss in Boots and Donkey.

If you walked into McDonald's across the U.S. in the immediate few weeks after the glasses went on sale May 21, 2010, many of the character glasses were unavailable as the items were selling like hotcakes at $2 a pop and sold out until new shipments arrived.

After a discovery of cadmium in the painted images, McDonald's recalled the popular glasses, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall Friday, June 4, 2010.

The CPSC states on their website " Long term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects" and at this time no injuries or harm has been reported. According to a report released by WSBTV in Atlanta, GA, "Cadmium is a known carcinogen that research shows can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems". Kids who hold the glasses while drinking could be exposed to cadmium on their hands which could end up in their mouths. This long term exposure could be very unhealthy.

Cadmium is definitely not an item parents or caretakers want their kids ingesting.

While the exact amount of cadmium contained in the design paint is not known at this time, CPSC spokesman stated "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," (Courtesy of WSBTV), and indicated the levels were "slightly" above acceptable levels.

In the past year there have been several recalls due to dangerous levels of cadmium in various jewelry products sold at many popular retailers. The CPSC representative did note that the levels in the Shrek glasses were less than the jewelry recalls.

Overall 12 million glasses were affected by this recall. Customers who purchased these items are advised to stop use immediately. At the time of the recall announcement information regarding refunds was not available, but McDonald's will offer information beginning on June 8, 2010.

The CPSC advises consumers can obtain additional information by calling McDonald's at their hotline (800) 244-6227 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST or visit the company's official website for the latest updates and information regarding the "Shrek" drinking glass recall.

Approximately 7 million of the 12 million glasses recalled were purchased by consumers, the other 5 million are still in stores or warehouses.

Sources:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/23791540/detail.html

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10257.ht ml

McDonald's FAQ Page with Recall Updates

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