Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards service is warning parents about potentially unsafe counterfeit "squishy" sensory toys being sold in the county.
The soft, squeezable toys—often designed to look like food items such as doughnuts and dumplings—have become popular through social media trends. While genuine versions are safe, officers have seized products that fail to meet basic UK safety requirements.
Safety concerns identified
The main risks associated with non-compliant products include skin irritation or nausea, choking hazards if toys split or leak, and reports of burns where toys have been heated.
Parents are advised to supervise younger children during use and to remove and report any products causing skin irritation, headaches or respiratory symptoms.
What to look for when buying
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."
He recommended checking labels carefully and looking for UKCA or CE markings. Purchasing from reputable retailers is also advised.
Businesses have been reminded of their legal responsibilities to ensure products meet UK safety requirements, are correctly labelled and can be traced through reputable supply chains.
Report unsafe products
Anyone concerned about a potentially unsafe product can report it online via the Trading Standards Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.