Home / Crime and Justice / Dangerous Fakes: Lancashire Raids Uncover Toxic Toys
Dangerous Fakes: Lancashire Raids Uncover Toxic Toys
14 Jul
Summary
- Hundreds of hazardous counterfeit toys were seized in Lancashire shops.
- Seized toys included fake versions of popular viral social media toys.
- Laboratory tests revealed toxic substances like solvents in similar items.
Hazardous counterfeit toys, numbering 372, were confiscated in recent raids on three shops in Lancashire. Blackpool Council's trading standards team discovered these dangerous items, including replicas of viral social media toys such as NeeDohs.
Scores of these counterfeit products have previously been seized locally. They often lack essential safety warnings and transparency regarding their materials. Laboratory analysis of comparable items confirmed the presence of toxic substances, including solvents and formaldehyde.
These harmful chemicals can lead to adverse health effects such as skin irritation, nausea, headaches, or breathing difficulties, and can also present fire hazards. The government had previously issued urgent safety warnings concerning similar "squishy dumpling" toys.
