Officials urge anyone who suspects they’ve bought counterfeit or unsafe toys to report it to Citizens Advice consumer services, with contact options available, while retailers can seek advice from Denbighshire’s Trading Standards Team via the council website.

A national recall has been issued for counterfeit squishy toys branded as 'squeezy dumplings' due to safety concerns over unregulated products and unknown ingredients.

Trading Standards warns to stay vigilant as trends evolve, prioritising safety over price or popularity.

Missing importer details on packaging is a red flag; genuine Nee-Doh products include UK importer information, and Bigjigs Toys is the genuine importer.

Genuine toys undergo strict safety testing, while counterfeit versions may lack proper labelling and use unsafe materials, posing risks to children.

There are heightened safety concerns for SEND and neurodivergent children who rely on sensory toys, prompting precautionary market removals due to potential mouthing and safety risks.

Trading Standards officers have been educating retailers and the public, conducting inspections across the county, with visits that led to large seizures of counterfeit and potentially unsafe items.

The issue reflects a broader pattern where counterfeit toys surge during new craze cycles, bypassing standard safety checks and leaving UK consumers without a clear safety contact.

Common counterfeit indicators include missing or incomplete safety markings and absence of importer details; legitimate products should show CE and/or UKCA marks plus manufacturer/importer name and traceability information.

Even toys with UKCA or CE marks can be counterfeit; consumers should verify importer details with retailers or avoid purchase if unavailable.

Trading Standards in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have seized large numbers of fake squishy toys lacking manufacturer/importer details and UK addresses.

Safety concerns include potential harmful chemicals like benzene and phthalates, with untested toys historically posing health risks for children.