McDonald鈥檚 recall prompts House investigation of cadmium
The McDonald's recall of some 12 million promotional Shrek drinking glasses has prompted a congressional investigation of the prevalence of cadmium, a toxic metal, in children鈥檚 products.
As part of the larger inquiry, Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent the fast food giant on Wednesday. The California Democrat asked company officials to reveal what measures McDonald鈥檚 takes to ensure its products don't contain hazardous materials. The letter requested that all documents pertaining to the recall be submitted to the committee.
Representative Waxman also sent a letter to ARC International North America Inc., of Millville, N.J., which produced the recalled glasses.
The glasses, which came in four versions decorated with likenesses of characters from the upcoming movie 鈥�Shrek Forever After,鈥� were voluntarily recalled after cadmium was detected on the exterior enamel.
Before they were distributed, the glasses were found to meet state and federal safety requirements, said McDonald鈥檚 and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The company announced the recall in an 鈥渁bundance of caution,鈥� according to a statement, and the CPSC reiterated that the glasses were not toxic.
The detection was made as the CPSC prepares to set new safety standards on cadmium in all children鈥檚 products 鈥� currently, the agency only regulates levels of the toxic metal in children鈥檚 toys. The agency recalled a series of children's jewelry earlier this year for high levels of the substance. The CPSC suggested that McDonald鈥檚 voluntarily recall the Shrek glasses because the items would not meet the new standards, which have not yet been released, the New York Times reported.
McDonald鈥檚 has gone to extra lengths to appease customers upset about the recall and to make sure all the glasses are returned. The company is offering a $3 refund on the glasses, which cost consumers $2 with the purchase of a meal. McDonald's is losing a reported $15 million on the recall.
