Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service is asking people to take care when buying popular “squishy” sensory toys after concerns were raised about some products failing to meet UK safety standards.
The soft and squeezable toys, often designed to look like food items such as doughnuts, dumplings and other sweet treats, have become increasingly popular through social media trends.
While genuine items are safe, officers in Staffordshire have seized products that may not meet basic safety requirements, raising concerns about potential risks to children.
Issues include the risk of skin irritation or nausea, choking hazards if products split or leak, and reports of burns where toys have been heated. Parents are being advised to supervise younger children during use and to remove and report products causing skin irritation, headaches or respiratory symptoms.
Anthony Screen, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience, said:
"These ‘squishy’ toys have become incredibly popular, particularly with children and young people, but safety should always come first.
“While many products on sale are perfectly legitimate, some cheaper imitation versions may not meet the standards required in the UK. We would encourage parents, carers and anyone buying these toys to check labels carefully, look for UKCA or CE markings and only buy from reputable retailers.”
Businesses are also being reminded of their legal responsibilities when placing products on the market. Retailers and suppliers should ensure products meet UK safety requirements, are correctly labelled and can be traced back through reputable supply chains.
Anyone concerned about a potentially unsafe product can report them online on the Trading Standards Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.
