Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards teams are urging parents and carers to take extra care when buying toys after a staggering 224 unsafe squishy toys were voluntarily surrendered by traders.
The new craze that has firmly replaced the ‘Labubu’s’ is proving to be just as or possibly even more dangerous.
The haul includes the infamous toy dumplings, butter stick squishes and ‘Nee Doh’-style toys, many of which were found to be non-compliant with the Toy Safety Regulations 2011. Officers have also raised concerns that some items may be counterfeit.
The warning follows growing national concern about the safety of viral “squishy dumpling” toys, which have been widely promoted on social media and are now subject to product recalls and enforcement action across the UK.
Recent testing on similar products has identified dangerous chemicals, including benzene, in some dumpling-style toys—substances linked to irritation and long-term health risks.
Other investigations have found toys emitting strong chemical odours and containing hazardous compounds, alongside missing safety information and traceability.
Alongside chemical concerns, badly made squishy toys can split or break, posing a choking hazard. With much of its contents resembling white cream like substance – which could appear innocent and delicious to young children.
Young children naturally explore objects by chewing or sucking them—making food-lookalike toys particularly dangerous if they are not safe.
Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member Communities, said:
“We know children will put things in their mouths—especially toys that look like food. That’s why these products must meet strict safety standards.
“They key message is - If it looks like food, a child is likely to put it in their mouth. Please, make sure it’s safe before they do.
“Unfortunately, the items that the team have received fell well short of those requirements and could put children at risk.
“These Fake, substandard toys can break and cause injuries or pose choking hazards and the toxic materials can cause burns and serious harm.
“These counterfeiters are cashing in on the latest craze once again and prioritising profit over safety. As well as infringing the genuine products trademark, they are not carrying out the required testing to ensure the product is safe”.
“These products are attractive to children but can pose significant dangers. They often pop, tear or explode within a short time after purchase and can quickly become choking hazards and exposure to certain chemicals that they contain, which are banned in genuine toys, can be harmful”
“We would like to remind ALL traders that they have a responsibility to ensure toys meet UK safety requirements before they are placed on sale.
“Enforcement is always a last resort, that is only undertaken when the team believe a law has been broken that would cause harm to the public – but the message is clear if you are found selling these items, we will take action!”
Trading Standards continues to inspect local businesses and are removing the non-compliant products from sale. This can also result in prosecution of traders who knowingly breach the law.
When the surrendered toys were received and checked by the team, they failed to meet key legal requirements under the Toy Safety Regulations 2011, including:
- Lack of manufacturer or importer details
- Missing or inadequate safety markings
- No batch codes or traceability
- Insufficient warnings or safety instructions
Without this information, it is difficult to identify who is responsible if something goes wrong.
The team is urging parents to make some simple checks in the shops before they buy these ‘toys’.
DON’T rely on appearance alone and carry out a few quick checks before buying:
- Manufacturer name and address present
- Importer details (if made outside the UK)
- UKCA or CE safety mark
- Batch code for traceability
- Clear warnings and instructions
- No strong or unusual chemical smell
Important: A CE or UKCA mark alone is not enough—all of these elements should be present.
Parents and carers are also advised to:
- Be cautious with toys that look like food
- Avoid cheap or unbranded products sold through informal channels
- Stop using any toy that smells strongly of chemicals or shows damage
- Keep suspect items out of reach of young children
If in doubt, do not let your child play with it.
If businesses or the public have any concerns about Toy Safety, further information is available on Business Companion Toys | Business Companion and at the Child Accident Prevention trust Toy Safety or you can also report issues to your local trading standards service by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 123 1133 or email tradingstandards@rctcbc.gov.uk
Posted on 02/07/2026