Parents are being warned to think twice before buying their children the latest TikTok toy craze — after Swansea Council‘s Trading Standards seized squishy dumpling toys from local shops and found they contained potentially hazardous chemicals.
The brightly coloured squeezy toys have swept through schools and social media feeds after being heavily promoted in unboxing videos and viral content, but Trading Standards officers say many of the products circulating in Swansea are failing basic safety tests.
Concerns were first raised by parents whose children were asking for the products — with many reporting that the toys gave off a strong chemical smell described as similar to petrol.
Officers examined a number of the products following the complaints and found that some were missing key legal requirements, including safety instructions explaining what to do if the product leaks or is punctured, a CE or UKCA safety mark, and the name and address of a UK-based responsible person such as an importer or manufacturer.
The missing responsible person detail is particularly significant — without it, officers may not be able to trace who is accountable for a product if safety concerns arise.
Products were subsequently seized from a number of retailers in Swansea and sent for laboratory testing. The results identified the presence of volatile organic compounds — including Ethyl Benzene, Styrene, m-Xylene, p-Xylene and o-Xylene — substances associated with the petrol-like smell parents had reported, and recognised as hazardous.
Caption: Swansea Council Trading Standards Officer Rhys Harries with squishy dumpling toys seized from retailers in Swansea. (Image: Swansea Council)
Rhys Harries, Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Officer, said: “These products are clearly attractive to children because they are being driven by online trends, but that does not mean they are safe.”
He added: “When a toy gives off a strong chemical smell and is missing basic safety information, that should ring alarm bells for parents and retailers alike. Our main concern is the risk posed to children if unsafe items end up in homes, school bags or play areas.”
The warning follows previous action by Trading Standards against fake Labubu toys — another viral product — which were identified and removed from sale in Swansea earlier this year.
Officers say the pattern is clear — as one online craze fades, another takes its place, and unsafe products can flood the market before regulators have time to act.
Mr Harries said: “Social media platforms such as TikTok can accelerate the spread of toy crazes almost overnight, but they can also help point Trading Standards towards the latest fake, unsafe or non-compliant products entering the market.”
He urged parents to buy from reputable retailers, check for correct safety markings and supplier details, and to be cautious about products promoted primarily through social media — however popular they appear.
Retailers are also being asked to check that any fast-moving trend products they stock meet legal safety requirements before putting them on sale.
