Trading Standards officers from East Riding of Yorkshire Council seized a batch of unsafe children's toys and a haul of counterfeit goods at a car boot sale in Bridlington on 2 July. The items included branded-sounding squishy toys marketed as Squeezy Dumplings, which were found to contain the carcinogenic solvent benzene, as well as imitation Labubu dolls, fake Needoh products, counterfeit high-end perfumes and Apple-branded items.
What was found and why it matters
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has flagged the dumpling toys as presenting a "serious chemical risk" because of the presence of benzene, a substance linked to cancer and capable of causing irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Officials say ingestion can produce a burning sensation.
Councillor Lyn Healing, the council's cabinet member for communities and public protection, underlined the expectation that consumer goods should be both safe and genuine: "Consumers have a right to expect that the products they buy are safe and genuine." The council added that Trading Standards would be increasing inspections at car boot sales, markets and other retail outlets in the region.
"We do not want counterfeit or unsafe goods being sold [at our events]."
Angela Parry, director of Strawberry Fields Events Ltd which runs the car boot sale, said organisers take the issue seriously and have been working with Trading Standards. She told InfoRadar the event operator had already posted a warning on its Facebook page asking sellers not to bring the affected squishy toys onto the site.
Local context and previous action
The action in Bridlington follows enforcement work elsewhere in the area. Earlier in July, more than 1,000 dumpling-style toys were seized from shops in Hull by Trading Standards officers. The clustering of these findings has prompted a stepped-up campaign of checks to stop unsafe items reaching children.
- Seizure location: Bridlington car boot sale (2 July)
- Key items found: Squeezy Dumplings (containing benzene), counterfeit Labubu dolls, fake Needoh, imitation perfumes and Apple-branded goods
- Regulatory response: further inspections planned across markets and retail outlets in the region
For parents and buyers, the council's warnings are straightforward: avoid purchasing unfamiliar or suspiciously cheap toys, check product labelling and provenance, and report concerns to Trading Standards. Where possible, buy from recognised retailers or obtain multiple verifiable references before purchasing from market stalls, car boot sales or online sellers.
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Hazardous chemical | Benzene found in Squeezy Dumplings |
| Other counterfeit items | Labubu dolls, Needoh products, fake perfumes, Apple-branded items |
| Enforcement | Seizure at Bridlington; further inspections planned |
Residents who suspect they have bought an unsafe or counterfeit product are advised to report it to Trading Standards. The council has reiterated that protecting consumers—especially children—remains a priority as officers continue targeted inspections around the county.
