New UK squishy dumpling alert issued as three new toys flagged over hazard worries

Three squishy sensory toys have been stopped at the UK border after safety officials raised concerns about chemical hazards and missing compliance evidence.

As many parents will be aware, the squishy sensory toy dumplings are soft, squeezable fidget toys shaped like steamed bao buns, and are designed for stress relief and tactile play.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) announced on Tuesday (15 September) that all three imports of dumpling toys from China were rejected over safety concerns.

They stated that there is ‘no evidence that the product has been assessed using relevant UK conformity assessment procedures, as the supplied Declaration of Conformity did not match the product’.

Tests identified volatile organic compounds, including xylenes and styrene, while documentation, production controls, labelling and markings were also inadequate.

Officials said xylenes may be harmful when inhaled at sufficient concentrations.

Squishy Steam Bunz Dim Sum Toys

Three squishy sensory toys have been stopped at the UK border (PA)

Squishy Steam Bunz Dim Sum Toys are soft sensory products shaped like steamed buns and supplied in several colours.

The government report identifies them as counterfeit and says the accompanying Declaration of Conformity did not match the product.

Officials found no valid technical documentation or evidence of production control, meaning they could not confirm that UK conformity assessment procedures had been followed.

Without adequate assessment records, regulators said it was impossible to verify whether the chemical risks, including exposure through inhalation, had been properly addressed.

The toys lacked required labelling and markings and failed to meet the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

Counterfeit Needoh Splash Balls

The squishy dumpling toys 'presented a high chemical risk' (GOV.UK)

Counterfeit Needoh Splash Balls were also prevented from entering the country.

The sensory toy, carrying the Needoh name, is a squishy ball designed to splat into different shapes. However, its supplied Declaration of Conformity did not correspond with the product, leaving no evidence that it had undergone the relevant UK conformity checks.

The report also cites missing technical documentation, an absence of production-control evidence and inadequate labelling and marking.

Laboratory testing found VOCs such as xylenes and styrene.

Regulators could therefore not establish that chemical hazards or exposure risks had been assessed sufficiently.

Because certain VOCs may be harmful when inhaled at high enough concentrations, the product was judged non-compliant with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

Squish! Gummy Bear Toy

The department recently seized counterfeit products, possibly containing excessive levels of benzene (Amazon)

Squish! Gummy Bear Toy is a soft sensory product moulded in the shape of a gummy bear.

As with the other two shipments, its Declaration of Conformity did not match the toy, and officials found no valid technical documents or proof of production control.

Required labels and safety markings were missing.

“In the absence of evidence demonstrating the conformity of the product, it is not possible to verify that the chemical hazards associated with these substances have been adequately assessed, or that the essential safety requirements relating to chemical properties and exposure to chemicals have been met. Certain VOCs, including xylenes, may be harmful if inhaled at sufficient concentrations,” the OPSS said.

“The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.”