The Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading has seized 81 unsafe squishy toys from a Douglas retailer after an inspection found multiple safety concerns. Parents are being told to check toys at home for CE or UKCA markings, age warnings and instructions for use.
Tim Glover MHK, the OFT chairman, said: "These seemingly fun products may look harmless, but if they haven't been made to the right standards, they can pose a real risk to children. We would urge parents to check any squishy toys they may have."
Douglas retailer seizure
The seized items included squishy dumplings and other squishy fidget toys. The OFT said the inspection found chemical hazards, labelling issues, choking hazards and a lack of age warnings, and that the products failed to meet basic safety standards.
The warning comes as squishy toys have exploded on TikTok and counterfeit versions have become a concern for child safety. The OFT said parents can often judge whether a toy is genuine by looking at the packaging: if it only states where the product was made and does not include details of a supplier or importer based in the UK or European Union, there is a strong possibility it is not genuine.
OFT packaging checks
For parents, the immediate step is simple: look for CE or UKCA markings, age-warning signs and instructions for use before a child keeps playing with a squishy toy already in the home. The OFT said anyone concerned about a product can contact the Office of Fair Trading on 01624 686500 or by email for advice.
The broader question is which specific retailer in Douglas had the 81 unsafe items seized. Until that is identified, the safest response is to check any squishy toys already at home against the safety markings and packaging details the OFT has listed.
