Gloucestershire Trading Standards warns of unsafe ‘squishy’ toys on sale
Parents and retailers urged to be vigilant amid safety concerns
Gloucestershire Trading Standards is cautioning parents, carers, and retailers about the safety risks of popular ‘squishy’ toys, following the seizure of nearly 2,000 unsafe products across the county.
Over the last three months, officers confiscated 1,968 toys, including ‘squishy dumpling’ and potentially counterfeit ‘NeeDoh’ items that failed to meet essential safety standards.
Common problems identified during inspections included strong chemical odours and inadequate safety labelling, with some toys missing UKCA or CE markings and other key manufacturer information.
Trading Standards advises consumers to be cautious of toys that are poorly made, lack proper labelling, or emit strong chemical smells, as these may pose serious health threats.
Testing has revealed some products contain harmful substances like benzene, which is linked to cancer. Unpleasant chemical smells may also indicate poor quality materials or hazardous manufacturing practices.
Additionally, a dangerous online trend encouraging children to microwave these toys has been flagged. Though the exterior may feel cool, the internal gel can become extremely hot and potentially burst, leading to burns and injuries.
Shoppers are advised to buy toys from reputable retailers, check for clear safety markings, and avoid unsafe online trends.
The Trading Standards team is committed to taking action against unsafe products to protect children’s safety in Gloucestershire.