Trafford Council is urging local families to beware of gel-filled ‘squishy dumpling’ toys for sale in Trafford convenience stores and online.
The Steamed Bun novelties, viral on social media, are not properly tested or regulated and have been found to contain high levels of toxic substances.
The Council has found the brightly coloured toys on sale in corner-type shops in the borough priced £2 to £5 as well as on online marketplaces.
The items have no trace of the required manufacturer or importer addresses, or safety warnings, on the packaging – a telltale sign of illegal imports via unscrupulous operators.
Toys have been found to contain high levels of benzene, a highly toxic and flammable liquid chemical that can cause serious health problems.
Online video trends also encourage children to microwave the toys, which can make them burst and release hot gel with the risk of severe burns as well as the release of noxious chemical gases.
Families are advised to buy only from trusted retailers and check for proper labelling. If a squishy toy is damaged, leaking or smells unusual, people are urged to stop using it immediately and keep it away from children.
Cllr Keleigh Glenton, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Community Safety and Civil Contingencies said:
“Our priority is to keep children safe and protect fair trading environments for businesses that meet standards and follow the rules.
“Legitimate manufacturers and importers of toys spend significant amounts of money on ensuring the correct safety standards and tests are applied to their products.
“As well as being potentially dangerous, these illegal imports have a direct impact on compliant traders. If in doubt, buyers should check packaging firstly for the name and address of a manufacturer or importer based in the UK and secondly for CE / UKCA markings and safety instructions in clear English.”