Joint Media Release by CASE and
MOH
4 March 2010
TOXIC CHEMICAL FOUND IN "EXTRUSION BEAN" TOY
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) and the Ministry of Health (MOH)
would like to alert consumers to the presence of a toxic chemical found in a
broad bean seed squeeze toy, “Extrusion Bean” (refer to
Annex). The toy may be
the cause of a recent spate of mass vomiting involving 17 primary six students
at Ai Tong School.
On 4 February 2010, MOH was notified that a group of students from Ai Tong
School developed vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps. Subsequent
investigations from MOH found that the students had earlier played with the
“Extrusion Bean” toy and had not washed their hands properly prior to consuming
food in school.
Laboratory tests conducted on the toy identified the presence of two phathalates
- dibutyl phthalates (DBP) and diethylhexyl phthalates (DEHP). Consumption of
phathalates can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, stomach ache and
vomiting.
Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers, or substances added to plastics to
increase their flexibility and durability. The two compounds (DBP and DEHP) were
banned from all toys and childcare items in the European Union by the European
Parliament in 2005 in view of their long term toxic effects.
MOH concluded its investigations on 25 February and immediately informed CASE of
the probable chemical poisoning from the accidental ingestion of phthalate from
the “Extrusion Bean” toy. There have been no further reported cases from the
school after the incident on 4 February.
As a safety precaution, CASE and MOH would like to urge all consumers who own
the toy, “Extrusion Bean”, to immediately discard it. Members of the public who
have come into contact with the toy and exhibit symptoms such as diarrhoea,
nausea, stomach ache and vomiting should seek medical help immediately.
CASE would also like all the distributors and retailers of the “Extrusion Bean”
to recall and stop selling the product with immediate effect.
Consumers who had bought the “Extrusion Bean” toy should inform CASE of the
outlet from which they had made the purchase. CASE can be reached at 6463 1811.
Yeo Guat Kwang
President
CASE
Other
press release can be found
here.
