The yellow, pink and orange coloured reusable bottles are aimed at children aged three upwards.

Asda's news comes as millions of toys made in China are also being recalled by toy maker Mattel amid fears they are a health hazard. Globally more than 18.5 million toys have been affected by the Chinese scandal.

It has been discovered that paint used on the toys, which were manufactured as recently as May through to July this year, contained high levels of lead.

There is a concern that young children chewing or biting on the toys - 49,000 have been sold in the UK and Ireland - could become ill if they swallow the lead paint.

Severe lead poisoning causes vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, anaemia, loss of appetite, headaches and in particularly high doses, coma and death.

Some Mattel products carry high levels of toxic lead paint, while others include small magnets that can fall off and be swallowed, causing potentially fatal damage to children's intestines.

The bulk of the alert, however, relates to a vast range of magnetic toys. These are mainly from the Polly Pocket range popular with young girls, but a small number Barbie and Batman products are involved.

The small powerful magnets on the toys can easily break off and be swallowed, a design fault which has since been rectified.

Particular problems could occur if a child were to swallow more than one magnet, because they could join together and cause holes or blockages inside the intestines.

In the U.S., at least three children have required surgery after swallowing the magnets from Mattel toys.

For more nutritional and supplement suggestions see:

Nutrition Facts - Lead Poisoning

Other and more common sources of lead poisoning comes from old paint used in decorating houses. Lead-based paints on walls, and the dust which is stirred up during renovations, account for the majority of lead poisoning cases.

Most nutritionists can organise a hair mineral analysis test, which tests for heavy metals, including lead. You will find qualified nutritionists at www.bant.org.uk or www.nutripeople.co.uk.  Or contact www.neilslade.co.uk.

Parents can take steps to reduce the risk for their children, as follows:

• Avoid scraping or burning off old paint without the use of face-masks, and avoid doing so in the presence of children. Clean thoroughly afterwards to remove all dust .
• If you live in a house with lead pipes, run the water through the tap for a few minutes every morning and use a water filter.
• Check toys for peeling paint and throw away if in doubt.
• Avoid cheap toys and other cheap items at Pounds shops, vending machines, bargain stores, car boot sales, etc.
• Check art-and-craft supplies designed for use by children are free of lead and are non-toxic. Some artist's paints and glazes designed for adult use contain lead and other toxic materials.