Published 20.11
Dangerous copies of Squishy dumplings have been recalled in the UK.
In Sweden, tests from other EU countries are awaited.
– The deficiencies are usually greater if it is a product that becomes popular very quickly, says Kerstin Gustafsson, inspector at the Chemicals Inspectorate.
Dangerous copies of “Squishy dumplings” with a strong chemical smell have been recalled around the world UK because they contain high levels of the carcinogenic substance benzene.
Authorities have begun to remove the toys from store shelves, says Northumberland Municipality, which at the same time issues a sharp warning to both consumers and businesses.
– Although these cheaper “soft” toys may look harmless, they can pose a hidden risk to children, says Gordon Stewart, member responsible for safety issues, in a press release.
Authorities also warn of a trend on social media where the toys are heated in a microwave to soften them. This has led to severe burns on children when the toys burst or leaked their contents.
“Received a tip that they smell bad”
Aftonbladet has previously written about smelly squishies. The Swedish Chemicals Agency in Sweden had received several complaints about the toys, but has not yet decided on its own tests.
– When we review goods at summer markets, there are a lot of toys like this for sale. And they are sold on many different e-commerce platforms as well. We have also received tips from people who bought them and think they smell bad. The question is therefore absolutely relevant to us, says inspector Kerstin Gustafsson.
She says that the issue is currently being discussed by several countries within the EU, and Finland is one of those that sent samples for analysis.
– We have asked them to send us the results as soon as they are ready to assess whether there is reason to proceed with our own reviews. Everything that smells does not have to be dangerous, poisonous or forbidden. It could be something else.
Why don’t you do your own tests?
– It may absolutely become relevant for us to do our own targeted analyzes when the results from other EU countries’ tests come in, in case they show that there are dangerous substances in these toys. There is no big point in everyone taking the same tests at the same time, says Kerstin Gustafsson.
Have started investigating
She urges consumers to check that the toys are CE marked, that there are contact details for which company is responsible for the product and to be extra careful with hyped products.
Have any toys been recalled in Sweden?
– I know that there are Swedish companies that are responsible importers that have begun to investigate carefully whether their squishy dumplings contain any prohibited substances. But I have not seen if they have led to any recall yet, she says.
