Trading standards act after national alert on ‘squishy dumplings’
Blackpool Council has removed 372 suspected counterfeit squeezable toys from three retail outlets during recent inspections, following national warnings about so‑called “squishy dumpling” products. The council’s trading standards team said the items, including copies of popular toys such as NeeDohs, lacked proper safety information and, in some cases, contained hazardous substances.
Officials said tests carried out on similar products had identified solvents and formaldehyde. Exposure to these chemicals can cause skin irritation, nausea, headaches and breathing difficulties, while some items also pose a potential fire risk. The crackdown comes after the government issued an urgent safety warning relating to this type of toy.
“If you give a child a toy, you want to know they can play happily and safely with it – not be at risk of coming to harm,”
said Cllr Dave Flanagan, the council’s cabinet member for public protection. He added that officers had found plastic toys containing hazardous liquids that could leak and be ingested by children or pets, and highlighted online trends encouraging young people to microwave such items as an added danger.
What officers found and why it matters
According to the council, the seized toys were being sold without the required transparency about materials or the safety information that should accompany children’s products. Trading standards said many of the items were attractively priced and brightly coloured, which may appeal to younger children and their families, but do not meet UK safety requirements. Parents are being urged to exercise caution, especially where products appear to be cheap imitations of well-known brands.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Products seized | 372 |
| Shops inspected | 3 |
| Types involved | Counterfeit squeezable toys, including copies of NeeDohs; ‘squishy dumplings’ |
| Hazards identified | Solvents and formaldehyde; potential skin/respiratory effects; fire risk |
How to spot unsafe or counterfeit toys
The council advised shoppers to be vigilant when buying tactile or squeezable toys and to verify that packaging and labelling meet UK standards. Under domestic law, toys must carry a CE or UKCA conformity mark and display the name and address of a supplier located in the UK or EU. Warnings, age limits and any instructions should be provided in English and be free of spelling errors.
- Scrutinise packaging and labelling carefully before purchase.
- Buy from a trusted, reputable retailer.
- Be cautious of unusually low prices.
- Treat a strong or odd chemical smell as a red flag.
Parents and carers should also supervise younger children using any squeezable toy and keep an eye out for leaks or damage. If a product splits, oozes liquid, or emits a pungent odour, it should be removed from use immediately and returned to the retailer. The council’s message is that safety information and traceability are not optional extras but essential legal requirements designed to protect children and households.
Retailer responsibilities and next steps
Retailers are reminded that selling toys which fail to comply with product safety law can lead to seizure, investigation and potential enforcement action. Shops must be able to demonstrate due diligence in sourcing from legitimate suppliers and maintaining appropriate records. Stock that mimics well-known brands but lacks proper certification is a particular risk area.
Trading standards teams will continue to monitor outlets and online sellers in the area. The council said further inspections are planned and urged the public to report suspicious items. Cllr Flanagan underlined that while some of the counterfeit goods may appear inexpensive, the risks far outweigh any saving:
“They might seem budget-friendly or appealing to young children, but they simply aren’t worth the risk.”
Practical advice for Blackpool families
Parents looking for safe alternatives should consider purchasing from established retailers and checking product listings for evidence of CE or UKCA marking and complete contact details for the responsible business. If in doubt, ask the retailer for safety documentation or choose a different product. The council also cautioned against social media trends encouraging users to heat or modify toys, stressing that misuse can turn a minor defect into a serious hazard.
Anyone who believes they have purchased an unsafe toy in Blackpool can contact the council’s trading standards service via the local authority’s customer portal or by seeking guidance from Citizens Advice Consumer Service, which can refer matters to enforcement officers. Keeping receipts and taking photographs of packaging will assist any investigation.
