Stockton officers seize 140 Squishy Bun Dumpling toys in Cleethorpes warning

cleethorpes shoppers buying Squishy Bun Dumpling toys online have been warned after Stockton Trading Standards officers seized 140 of the children's toys. The council said the action followed concerns about safety risks, including reports of a strong chemical smell, poor-quality materials and harmful substances such as benzene.

Norma Stephenson on toy checks

Norma Stephenson, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for access, communities and community safety, told buyers to be cautious when shopping from unfamiliar sellers. She said: "Always check that the toy has proper safety markings such as a CE or UKCA mark, which show it meets UK safety standards."

Stephenson also said: "The packaging should also clearly display the name and address of the UK manufacturer or importer, along with batch or product identification details." She added: "Be wary of items that look poorly made, are unusually cheap, have no clear labelling, or have a strong chemical smell when opened."

Stockton Trading Standards seizure

The seizure came after a child was badly injured when one of the toys was put in a microwave in an attempt to soften it. That incident sits alongside the council's warning about viral trends that encourage unsafe use, which it said buyers should avoid. Stephenson said: "We always advise purchasing toys from trusted retailers and avoid viral trends that encourage unsafe use which can help reduce the risk of harm."

Stockton Borough Council said anyone who wants to report a trader selling the products should contact Trading Standards on 01642 526560 or by email at trading.standards@. For parents and buyers, the practical step is to check labels, markings and seller details before spending money on toys that may look low-cost but carry warning signs.