LOS ANGELES (AP) _ McDonald's is recalling 12 million drinking glasses it is selling to promote the new ``Shrek'' movie because painted designs on the cheap collectibles contain the toxic metal cadmium.

The burger giant said early Friday that it wants customers to stop using the 16-ounce glasses, which have been sold for about $2 each and were available in four designs depicting the main characters from the hit animated franchise.

Cadmium is a known carcinogen that research shows also can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems.

In the case of the Shrek glasses, the concern would be long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium, which could leach from the paint onto a child's hand, then enter the body if the child puts that unwashed hand to his or her mouth.

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