UK councils issue safety warnings over counterfeit squishy toys

Glasgow City Council’s Trading Standards officers seized roughly 5,900 counterfeit squishy toys from a warehouse on Commerce Street. The items, shaped like dumplings and sold blind‑packed, were found to contain hazardous substances such as phthalates, solvents and formaldehyde, posing risks of skin irritation, nausea, headaches, breathing problems and choking hazards for children. Council convener Laura Doherty warned that the toys “pose serious dangers to anyone using them” and urged shoppers to check for UKCA/CE markings, manufacturer details and age warnings. The council estimated that the seizure saved about £419,000 in health‑ and safety‑related costs.

Wrexham Council’s Trading Standards team issued a parallel advisory, asking residents and local retailers to be vigilant when purchasing or selling popular squishy toys that have gone viral on social media. Although no items have been seized locally, officials highlighted the same safety concerns – missing safety information, strong chemical odours and non‑compliance with UK toy safety requirements. Councillor Hugh Jones advised shoppers to buy from reputable sources, verify CE or UKCA markings, and avoid toys with unusually low prices or poor packaging. Both councils emphasized the legal responsibility of retailers to ensure compliance with UK safety law.