Hundreds of 'potentially dangerous' squishy toys pulled from Lancashire shop shelves

In the last two weeks of May, Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards officers removed 200 non-compliant toys from sale in shops in Lancashire, as none were found to be correctly labelled with a UK supplier's name and address.

The swift intervention happened after worried parents flagged toys with 'strong chemical smells' and a 'sticky texture.'

Fake versions of genuine products manufactured by legitimate business such as the NeeDoh brand were also reported.

Trading Standards officers are also warning that many of these illegal toys often look like food, such as jelly cubes, butter blocks or steamed buns, which could cause choking or ingestion hazards to small children.

Meanwhile, reports have been received nationally of similar toys containing high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds, including benzene, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical which has a maximum legally permitted concentration level in toys of 5 mg/kg (0.0005%).

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."