Counterfiet squishy toy containing false nail among 1,000 seized in Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Council has seized more than 1,000 “potentially dangerous” squishy toys, including one that contained a press-on fingernail.

The local authority’s trading standards team has been visiting premises across the city following complaints from parents about some toys having a strong chemical smell and others bursting or leaking during play.

A total of 1,076 products have been seized, including one that contained the fake nail.

The items seized by trading standards have been examined and found to lack the required safety labelling, including a UK/EU supplier, or to be counterfeit.

Both indicate that the toys are unlikely to have undergone the required testing or to meet the legal safety standards.

The items have become viral through unboxing videos on social media platforms. One such trend involves putting the toy in a microwave to soften it.

One squishy toy contained a false fingernail Aberdeen City Council

In Scotland, children have been burned after the toys exploded when heated.

Trading standards manager Graeme Paton said: “It is disappointing we are still finding these potentially dangerous toys in shops and we would remind consumers and parents to be extra vigilant.

“With the school summer holidays starting, youngsters will be looking for toys to entertain them, and counterfeit toys can seem like a bargain, but these are potentially dangerous.

“We would warn parents and children alike about the inherent dangers of microwaving these toys as they are not intended to be used this way. We’d also urge parents to be cautious and to only buy the genuine articles. We encourage anyone concerned about the safety of toys to get in touch with us via Consumer Advice Scotland.”