Urgent warning to throw away ‘squishy dumpling toy’ instantly if it has certain smell
Anyone who's spent time scrolling TikTok in recent months will likely be aware of the squishy dumplings, the toy that has become the 2026 equivalent of Labubu dolls.
In the viral videos, children, teenagers, and young adults are excitedly opening plastic Dim Sum boxes in front of the camera, hoping to get their hands on a 'rare' glittery dumpling.
The craze has seen stores up and down the country rush to stock the toys to meet demand, while officials have issued a safety warning to parents looking to buy one for their children.
Warnings over the safety of counterfeit dumpling squishies
Originally created by RMS International, the popularity of the dumplings has seen various dupes appear on the market as manufacturers rush to get their hands on a slice of the dumpling craze.
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And it is here that Trading Standards officials have raised concerns about the safety of dumpling dupes.
Last month, Swansea Council issued a warning to parents, urging them to throw away dumpling squishies which had a strong chemical smell, described as being similar to petrol.
The council also revealed that it had tested various counterfeit products seized, revealing that numerous toys contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as Ethyl Benzene, Styrene, m-Xylene, p-Xylene and o-Xylene.
"When a toy gives off a strong chemical smell and is missing basic safety information, that should ring alarm bells for parents and retailers alike," Rhys Harries, Swansea Council's Trading Standards Officer, warned.
"Our main concern is the risk posed to children if unsafe items end up in homes, school bags or play areas."
Swansea Council isn't alone in warning about the safety of purchasing dumpling dupes, Glasgow City Council Trading Standards officers revealing they'd seized almost 6,000 counterfeit toys from a warehouse in the city earlier this month.
Like the dumpling toys in South Wales, there were also concerns about these toys containing harmful chemicals.
"The items which have been recovered pose serious dangers to anyone using or playing with them," Laura Doherty, Glasgow city councillor and city convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said of the consicated toys.
Health concerns linked to the counterfeit toys include nausea, headaches, skin irritation and breathing problems, as well as posing a choking hazard for younger children.
How to tell if your dumpling toys are genuine
Parents have been urged to check the packaging of their children's dumpling toys, with legitimate RMS dumpling toys containing the following information:
- A UKCA/CE marking, which indicates the toy has been safety assessed
- Age restrictions
- Safety warnings and instructions
- Manufacturer details
If the packaging does not contain the above information, the toy is likely to be counterfeit and not safe.
Brenna Cooper