The Seventh Circuit last week affirmed the trial court's decision not to certify a class of consumers making product liability claims against the makers of Aqua Dots toys. In Re: Aqua Dots Products Liability Litig., No. 10-3847 (7th Cir. Aug. 17, 2011). A tip of the cap to Ted Frank at PointofLaw who wanted to make sure we didn't miss this one, because of the potentially very useful analysis of Rule 23(a)(4).

Defendants made, distributed, or sold, AquaDots, a toy consisting of small, brightly colored beads that can be fused into designs when sprayed with water. A Chinese sub-contractor apparently substituted adhesives. While the substitute adhesive was chemically similar to the specified glue, when ingested, the sub metabolizes into gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), which can induce nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, agitation, depressed breathing, amnesia, unconsciousness, and even death, depending on the dose. Although the directions told users to spray the beads with water and stick them together, it was possible, given the age of the intended audience, that some would be eaten; children who swallowed a large quantity of the beads could become sick.