Warnings over squishy toy hazards expand globally

Warnings over squishy toy hazards expand globally

Regulators have flagged benzene in some products, burn risks from counterfeits and toys bursting in heat

Some trendy squishy toys have prompted burn warnings and enforcement action in several countries, while Canadian regulators say they've received dozens of reports but have not confirmed a specific health or safety risk.

The soft, palm-sized toys come in a variety of shapes, including cubes and spheres, as well as food shapes such as dumplings and sticks of butter. Their squishy texture is a defining feature of toys marketed for sensory play and sold through online marketplaces, discount stores and other retailers.

Regulators raise concerns abroad

This week, Cornwall Trading Standards in southwest England, warned that some squishy toys they tested failed U.K. safety standards.

Separately, Hull City Council in northeast England said it seized and destroyed toys from local retailers after testing found high levels of benzene, a carcinogen. Hull officials said high levels of exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, skin irritation and, if ingested, a burning sensation.

The local actions in England followed a recall by the U.K.'s Office for Product Safety and Standards of Squeezy Dumplings in June.

Some squishy toys are not safe, health officials warn

Earlier this month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reiterated a warning about serious burn hazards associated with fake and counterfeit squishy toys that do not comply with U.S. safety requirements.

Shipments of what the agency called "violative squishy toys" have also been seized at U.S. ports.

In Australia, Schyling, the manufacturer of NeeDoh toys, has reportedly asked the Australian Border Force to intercept counterfeit versions of its products.

Health Canada has received 36 reports

From April 23 to Aug. 24, Health Canada said it received 36 reports involving squishy dumpling toys.

"There were 30 reports of odours, four reports about the sale of these products but with no mention of odour or injury, and two reports of the product exploding, with 6 of these reports mentioning an injury (e.g., headache, skin rash, difficulty breathing)," Health Canada said in a statement to CBC News. "These reports include both children and adults."

Health Canada said it has not identified any failures to comply with health or safety regulations and has not confirmed that the toys pose a specific health or safety risk.

Separately, Amazon Canada said in a statement that it proactively removed some squishy dumpling toys following reported safety concerns.

What is actually inside the toys?

Toy manufacturers are not obligated to disclose the ingredients and may not always know exactly what is in their products, said Miriam Diamond, a professor and environmental chemist at the University of Toronto who studies microplastics and chemicals in consumer products.

"There could be chemicals there that are fairly benign, but there could also be chemicals that are of concern. I don't know, and that's actually concerning in and of itself," Diamond said, calling on manufacturers and importers to be vigilant.

Do squishies actually work? The history of sensory toys

The product safety group Consumer Reports said concerns are not necessarily limited to counterfeit or off-brand products.

"We kind of feel that it's not just about the counterfeit," said Ashita Kapoor, director of product safety and personal care at Consumer Reports. "We're actually seeing incidents of products that are happening that are purchased directly from retail."

For now, the U.S. Product Safety Commission advises families to:

Diamond also suggests families declutter and stick with a few simple toys.

Families should also follow recommended age limits.

NeeDoh and Squishy Dumpling did not respond to requests for comment.

With files from CBC's Tahlia Sarv