Again, I'd like to highlight extracrispy as the one who has the straight dope, as it were.

The real problem is that, even if an item isn't labeled as made in China, the parts for the item could have been made there and shipped elsewhere. That's why my nephews are getting magazine subscriptions and handmade wooden cars -- preferably made by some old Amish guy.

It's quite normal for even older kids to chew on toys occasionally. Some kids in general need more sensory stimulation, and they're not eating the things, they're just absent-mindedly sticking it in their mouths. Isn't there anyone here who ever chews on their pen caps while they're thinking?

It's irresponsible for anything being marketed to kids (or adults-without proper markings) to be poisonous- No parent can be expected to watch every move their kid makes 24/7.

Thank you for those that see the need for parents to supervise their kids so that they don't eat ANYTHING that they are not supposed to eat.

Oh, and I think Soylent Green was made from Texans as that is where some of the scenes were shot and that's what finally happens to all the people they execute down there.

1. Don't buy CRAP (e.g., stuff made in China, peddled at Wal-Mart, et al.)

2. Don't shop at CRAPPY stores (I mean, come on, how do you think places like Wal-Mart get their prices that low... it's not some smiley fairy that comes into the store at night and makes them all come falling down... it's all a lie, like the toothfairy).

3. Don't let your kids put crap in their MOUTH (this is an age old piece of wisdom, but it bares repeating... I still have to remind myself not to do this sometimes... heheh)

@cde: Does that make everclear a date rape drug then?

@swalve: Whats the difference? E can be both, weed can be both, etc etc.

Besides, it takes an ungodly amount of ghb to knock a person out, and ghb tastes like utter crap. Might as well give them everclear.

GHB tastes very salty. It would be immediately apparent if someone slipped it into your drink.

GHB is used recreationally. It's a particular favorite on the gay party circuit. So Consumerist is correct in referring to GHB as a "party drug."

@Hanke: Somebody suggested that kids might be licking the toys to make them stick together, but I'm certain I read somewhere about a 10-year-old girl who vomited up a bunch of the beads, so we have 10-year-olds who still put toys in their mouths...

I wonder if this turned into some kind of schoolyard rumor before the adults found out about it. "Hey, I heard that if you eat AquaDots, you get really really high!"

Never mind the fact that somewhere between 9 and 18 parents seem to be feeding their kids Aqua Dots...

I understand a big hullabaloo over having that type of material in your kids' toys, but for goodness sakes, should they be eating the stuff anyway?

Solution should be as simple as: "Little Timmy, please take the GHB infested choking hazard out of your gaping maw."

Huh? Party drug? If date rape is a party to you...

You know, why the hell are these toys, which are clearly not for children that may eat parts of their toys, being given to children who eat their toys?

You know, they apparantly have a big thing for getting their production facility approved using the proper materials over there, and then switching out the goods after production is approved. The Micronaut figure reissues of a few years back were plagued with problems, most notably in the rubber parts that the figures rely on to stay together, as well as several plastic quality issues. When the company investigated, they found out that the manufacturer had switched to cheaper materials after using the proper ones for the test samples that got them the contract.