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.
