Mass recall for McDonald's

Shrek glasses

The end of last week saw a mass recall for McDonald's, not the kind of publicity the fast-food chain desires just days before the 2010 World Cup starts - of which it's a major sponsor. The recall in question was for 13.5 million drinking glasses promoting the new Shrek movie, which were sold in the US and Canada.

The glasses were recalled due to the painted designs on them containing the toxic metal cadmium, which can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, nervous system and brain.

The glasses have been sold in the US for about US$2 each and are available in four designs depicting the animated film's main characters.

In the case of the Shrek glasses, there are concerns about long-term exposure to low levels. The metal could leach from the paint onto a child's hands and then enter the body if the child put the unwashed hand to his or her mouth.

McDonald's recall

McDonald's said it was asking customers to stop using the glasses "out of an abundance of caution."

"We believe the Shrek glassware is safe for consumer use," said McDonald's USA spokesman Bill Whitman, the BBC reported.

"However, again to ensure that our customers receive safe products from us, we made the decision to stop selling them and voluntarily recall these products, effective immediately."

CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said: "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."

He said the amounts of cadmium that had leached from the paint in tests were "slightly above the protective level currently being developed by the agency".

McDonald's offers an incentive

McDonald's aren't just expecting you to hand over the glasses though, customers will be able to fill out a refund slip and return the glassware to any McDonald's restaurant in the US, the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said today on its website, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The company said its safety standards were among the highest in the industry and that it had a strong track record.

This mass recall for McDonald's is bound to raise questions about whether the appropriate safety measures are in place for not only food, but products used for consumption.

Despite this news, McDonald's has reported that same-store sales growth rose 4.8 percent in May. Europe led the charge, up 5.7 percent, compared to a 3.4 percent growth rate in the US and a 3.8 percent boost in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

Jodie Humphries

Jodie Humphries graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA Hons in Creative Writing in 2008. She has worked for GDS Publishing for the digital group since July 2009. She has previous experience with writing for the web, running her own website since April 2007.

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