Cornwall Trading Standards has warned buyers to check squishy dumplings before they buy them. Hundreds of the toys have been removed from sale in Cornwall after safety concerns were raised, and some products may pose serious safety risks.
Fraser Glennie, the team manager at Cornwall Trading Standards, said some squishy dumplings on the market may pose serious safety risks. He added: “Our officers are working proactively with retailers across Cornwall to identify potentially unsafe products and remove them from sale where necessary.”
Fraser Glennie and Cornwall Trading Standards
The toys are shaped like bao buns and have become increasingly popular with children. Cornwall Trading Standards said some manufacturers producing the toys did not meet required safety standards, and samples sent away for testing did not comply with UK standards because they did not include vital safety information on the label.
Buyers were told to look for UKCA or CE safety markings when choosing the toys. They were also told to throw away any toy with a strong chemical smell. Cornwall Trading Standards said counterfeit products could contain excessive levels of benzene, which can cause drowsiness, dizziness, headaches and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Thalia Marringon on toy safety
Thalia Marringon, the cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection at Cornwall Council, said people needed “to be cautious” when purchasing potentially dangerous toys. She said: “If you have concerns about a toy, especially if it does have a strong smell, please do not allow your children to play with it.”
She also said: “We will continue to work with retailers to ensure that products sold here in Cornwall are safe.” Cornwall Trading Standards said anyone concerned about the safety of a product can report it through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Cornwall Council warning
The practical step for shoppers is straightforward: check the label, check the smell, and do not let children use toys that seem wrong. In Cornwall, the products in question were already on sale before they were pulled, so the immediate issue for families is whether one of the toys at home or in a shop meets the basic markings Trading Standards asked buyers to look for.
