Safety warning after thousands of fake viral 'squishy' toys seized from Glasgow warehouse

Nearly 6,000 counterfeit squishy toys have been seized from a warehouse in Glasgow, prompting a safety warning.

Trading Standards officers discovered more than 5,900 of the illicit toys, which resemble dumplings and come in a dim sum box.

Their rising popularity has seen an increase in counterfeit products, which can cause skin irritation, nausea, headaches and breathing problems.

Glasgow City Council said the toys pose “serious dangers to anyone using or playing with them”.

The unsafe items may contain substances such as phthalates, solvents and formaldehyde, and emit strong chemical odours and could pose a choking hazard to younger children.

Officials have also said that products may fail to meet flammability standards and split open, releasing unknown contents and posing a further risk of harm.

Based on estimates from the government’s Office for Product Safety & Standards, each toy would have cost approximately £71 in terms of health and safety risks, property damage, businesses losing sales, consumers having to replace items, and time spent dealing with faulty products.

With around 5,900 recovered, approximately £419,000 has been saved, according to Trading Standards.

Cllr Laura Doherty, city convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: “The items which have been recovered pose serious dangers to anyone using or playing with them.

“I would urge people when considering buying these popular toys to check that you are purchasing from a retailer you can trust and to check labels thoroughly.”

People should look for information such as UKCA/CE marking, manufacturer details, age restrictions, safety warnings and instructions.

If any of these are not on the packaging, it is likely to be counterfeit and not safe.

Other warning signs include a strong or unusual smell, an extremely low price, being sold without any packaging, and no ‘do not eat’ warnings for items that look like food.

Cllr Doherty added: “This intervention prevented over £400,000 worth of harm to consumers and businesses.

“Trading Standards will continue to monitor the supply and distribution of counterfeit goods through targeted inspections and enforcement activity, particularly within lower-cost retail sectors and non-traditional supply chains.”