Squishy toys seized in Bridlington over benzene risk
Trading Standards officers seized unsafe Squeezy Dumpling squishy toys and counterfeit Labubu dolls at a Bridlington car boot sale on 2 July. The gel-filled toys contained benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, prompting a UK recall after officials flagged a serious chemical risk to children.
Key Takeaways
- East Riding Trading Standards seized Squeezy Dumpling squishy toys and fake Labubu dolls in Bridlington on 2 July.
- The Office for Product Safety and Standards recalled the toys after finding benzene, linked to cancer and irritation risks.
- More than 1,000 similar dumpling toys were seized from Hull shops in July, with further UK raids ongoing.
- Parents should avoid toys with strong chemical smells, missing labels, or no UKCA/CE and manufacturer details.
What happened at the Bridlington car boot sale?
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Trading Standards found the unsafe children's toys at a Bridlington car boot sale run by Strawberry Fields Events Ltd. Alongside the Squeezy Dumplings, officers discovered counterfeit Labubu dolls, Needoh products, fake high-end perfumes and Apple-branded items.
Angela Parry, director of Strawberry Fields Events Ltd, said the organisers take such matters seriously and will keep working with Trading Standards. She said the firm had already warned customers on Facebook about the affected squishy toys and asked sellers not to bring them on site.
Councillor Lyn Healing, the council's cabinet member for communities and public protection, said consumers have a right to expect products that are safe and genuine, noting counterfeit and unsafe goods can pose significant risks when aimed at children. The council said officers will carry out further inspections at car boot sales, markets and other outlets across the region.
Why are these squishy toys considered dangerous?
According to the BBC, the Bridlington seizures followed a national recall issued by the government earlier in July. The Office for Product Safety and Standards said the items presented a "serious chemical risk" after they were found to contain benzene, which can cause cancer.
Benzene can also irritate skin, eyes, nose and throat and cause a burning feeling if ingested. Similar concerns have driven other UK enforcement actions tracked in our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage of viral product trends.
In North Northamptonshire, Trading Standards seized 470 non-compliant toys in July, citing serious safety concerns about popular squishy dumplings sold at car boot sales and from vehicles. Some confiscated products emitted a strong chemical odour and contained substances harmful to children.
Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards removed 361 squishy toys from an Ellesmere Port shop after they failed basic safety requirements, including strong chemical smells and missing essential safety labelling. Councillors also warned against a dangerous online trend of microwaving the toys, which can leave the gel extremely hot while the outside stays cool and risk burns if the product bursts.
How can parents spot unsafe squishy toys?
North Northamptonshire Council advised that legitimate toys should carry a batch, serial or product reference number plus the manufacturer's name and address. Cheshire West and Chester Council said items should clearly display UKCA or CE markings, manufacturer and UK importer details, and appropriate safety warnings and instructions.
Parents and carers are advised to remove these toys from use immediately if they leak, split, smell strongly of chemicals, or lack proper safety labelling. Products should never be heated. Anyone with concerns can report them via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
Dumpling squishies have become one of the internet's most popular fidget trends, but the Bridlington raid underlines why viral toys still need proper safety checks before they reach children's hands.