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Nearly 2,000 unsafe ‘squishy’ toys seized by Trading Standards

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Gloucestershire Trading Standards are warning parents, carers and retailers to take extra care when buying popular ‘squishy’ toys, after officers uncovered hundreds of unsafe products on sale across the county.

During inspections carried out over the last three months, officers have seized a total of 1,968 toys, including copies of popular ‘squishy dumpling’ and ‘NeeDoh’ products, which failed to meet basic safety standards. The NeeDoh products are also suspected to be counterfeit.

Common issues included strong chemical smells and missing or inadequate safety labelling. Some products also lacked key information such as UKCA or CE markings, manufacturer details and safety warnings — all of which are required to show a toy meets UK safety requirements.

Trading Standards is urging consumers to stay vigilant when buying toys. Items that appear poorly made, lack proper labelling or have a strong chemical odour may pose a risk and should be avoided.

Testing has shown that similar products can sometimes contain harmful substances, including benzene, which is linked to cancer. Strong chemical smells can also suggest poor quality materials or unsafe manufacturing.

Officers are also highlighting a dangerous online trend where children are encouraged to microwave these toys. While the outside may feel cool, the gel inside can become extremely hot and may burst, causing burns or other injuries. These toys should never be heated.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Parents and carers have every right to expect that the toys they buy are safe. These products can look harmless, but if they haven’t been made to the right standards they can pose a real risk to children.

“We’re asking shoppers to be cautious and to check toys carefully before buying. At the same time, retailers must play their part by ensuring everything they sell complies with UK safety laws. Our Trading Standards team will continue to take action where unsafe products are found.”

Consumers are advised to:

  • Be cautious of items that appear poorly made or unusually cheap
  • Check for clear safety markings, including UKCA or CE, and manufacturer or importer details
  • Avoid products with strong chemical smells
  • Buy toys from reputable retailers
  • Ignore viral trends that encourage unsafe use

Anyone who has bought a potentially unsafe toy, or is concerned about products being sold, should report it via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.