Hundreds of counterfeit viral 'squishy dumplings' toys seized in raids by Blackpool Tradings Standards
Copies of popular, legitimate toys like NeeDohs have flooded shops as the originals have gone viral on social media.
Hundreds of hazardous counterfeit viral craze toys have been being seized from shops across Blackpool.
Blackpool Council’s Trading Standards team have removed 372 products from three shops, in a bid to protect shoppers from potentially hazardous items.
Copies of popular, legitimate toys like NeeDohs have flooded shops as the originals have gone viral on social media. Now the government has issued urgent safety warnings over the so-called “squishy dumplings” - tactile, gel-filled items.
Blackpool Council has already seized scores of the counterfeit items.
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The products being sold in Blackpool contained harmful solvents or were packaged without any safety warnings or transparency over the materials used, posing risks to users, particularly children.
Laboratory tests on similar items have found toxic substances like phthalates, solvents, formaldehyde and benzene in toy’s composition. These can cause skin irritation, nausea, headaches or breathing problems, or pose fire risks.
Cllr Dave Flanagan, cabinet member for public protection, housing and empty properties, said: “If you give a child a toy, you want to know they can play happily and safely with it - not be at risk of coming to harm.
“The items our Trading Standards team have seized might seem to be budget-friendly, or brightly coloured and appealing to young children, but they simply aren’t worth the risk. They’ve found plastic items with hazardous liquids that could ooze out and be ingested by children or pets. These, paired with the online trends encouraging children to microwave toys, can pose genuine, serious dangers.
“We use spot checks and enforcement action to take these hazardous items out of circulation and protect residents and shoppers, and also support the responsible traders who are selling safe and legal items.”
How can you spot a counterfeit toy?
Shoppers are now being urged to be wary of counterfeit products by:
- Checking packaging carefully
- Buying from a trusted retailer
- Being wary of products sold at very low prices
- Being suspicious if a toy has a strong or unusual smell
Under UK law toys should hold a CE or UKCA quality mark and have the name and address of the supplier in the UK or EU on the packaging. Packaging should also include any usage warnings, age restrictions and instructions, all printed in English and without spelling errors.