Hundreds of dodgy toys with 'chemical smells' removed from sale across Lancashire following crackdown

Hundreds of potentially dangerous squishy sensory toys have been removed from sale across Lancashire following a crackdown by Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team.

During the final two weeks of May, officers seized 200 non-compliant toys from shops across the county after discovering that none were correctly labelled with the name and address of a UK supplier, a legal requirement for products sold in the UK.

The action followed reports from concerned parents who raised alarms about toys with strong chemical smells and sticky textures. Trading Standards officers also identified counterfeit versions of genuine products, including popular items sold under the NeeDoh brand.

Officials are warning parents to be cautious when purchasing squishy toys, particularly those that resemble food items such as jelly cubes, butter blocks and steamed buns. These products could present choking or ingestion risks for young children who may mistake them for edible items.

The warning comes amid reports from across the country that similar toys have been found to contain high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including benzene, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical. The maximum legally permitted concentration of benzene in toys is 5 mg/kg (0.0005%).

Trading Standards is urging consumers to buy toys from reputable retailers and to check that products carry the correct safety information and supplier details before making a purchase. The council says its enforcement work will continue to help protect children and ensure unsafe products are removed from sale.

Now Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards officers are encouraging customers and businesses to:

• Inspect packaging carefully to find a UKCA or CE mark
• Make sure the product bears the name and address of a UK-based importer or manufacturer.
• Check if warnings and usage instructions are present.
• If any of the above is missing, then it is likely that the toy hasn't been subject to the required safety testing.
• Be cautious of 'bargains' - counterfeit or 'copycat' toys are often cheaper but may pose serious safety risks, including choking hazards and toxic materials.
• Buy from reputable retailers and avoid unfamiliar online vendors or third-party sellers on online marketplace listings.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said: "It is vital that consumers are careful when they buy these popular sensory toys, that the toys are safe and that they are buying the genuine product.

“As they are often cheaper than the genuine versions, they might seem like a bargain, and they can be very tempting. However, they can be dangerous as they have not been manufactured in accordance with stringent toy safety legislation.

"We're aware of at least one case nationally of a copycat product being found on sale with illegal levels of dangerous chemicals like benzene, a toxic and carcinogenic substance, for which the maximum legal level in UK toys is capped at 5 mg/kg (0.0005%).

"Businesses also need to be vigilant and ensure that the toys they are selling are genuine and safe. Anyone who has bought a toy and thinks it could be unsafe or counterfeit should report it to our Trading Standards Service via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133."