Credit: @learning.the.limits/TikTok
Dad Makes Chilling Discovery After Testing Daughter’s Squishy Dumpling Toy Parents Warned To Throw Out
A dad has made a horrifying discovery after testing his daughter’s viral Squishy Dumpling toy to see if it is safe.
These adorable sensory fidget toys, designed to fit neatly into the palm of your hand, resemble tiny steamed bao buns and have become one of the internet’s latest must-have collectibles.
Children, and plenty of adults, too, have fallen head over heels for the viral toys, with TikTok helping fuel their explosive popularity.
Made from soft thermoplastic rubber, the squishy toys are designed to be endlessly satisfying to squeeze and come packaged inside charming miniature bamboo steamer boxes.
The mystery behind the viral toy craze
Part of the appeal goes far beyond the satisfying squish.
As well as riding the wave of social media hype, many fans have begun collecting the toys thanks to their blind-box format.
Because each package is sealed, buyers have no idea which dumpling they’ll get until they open it, adding an extra layer of excitement to every purchase.
Social media is now flooded with unboxing videos, with collectors eagerly revealing which design they received. Many hope to uncover one of the elusive glitter-filled dumplings, which are considered especially rare.
Other prized versions include UV-reactive bao buns that change color in sunlight.
But as demand has skyrocketed, the craze has also inspired numerous copycat manufacturers, both legitimate and counterfeit, prompting serious safety concerns.
Urgent safety warning over counterfeit Squishy Dumplings
As fake Squishy Dumplings continue appearing on store shelves and online marketplaces, Trading Standards in the UK has issued an urgent warning for anyone who may have bought one.
Officials are concerned that counterfeit versions have been associated with symptoms including nausea, headaches, skin irritation, and breathing difficulties. There are also fears that some imitation products could pose a choking hazard for young children.
In May, Swansea Council in Wales warned that any Squishy Dumpling giving off a strong chemical odor resembling gas or gasoline should be discarded immediately.
“These products are clearly attractive to children because they are being driven by online trends, but that does not mean they are safe,” Rhys Harries, Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Officer, warned.
“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.”
Testing carried out on several counterfeit products reportedly detected volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including Ethyl Benzene, Styrene, m-Xylene, p-Xylene, and o-Xylene, raising concerns about potential health risks for children.
Harries continued: “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.
“We would urge parents to be cautious, to buy from reputable retailers, and to check for the correct safety markings and supplier details. We would also ask businesses to be alert to fast-moving trends and make sure the products they stock meet legal safety requirements.”
How to spot a genuine Squishy Dumpling
Fortunately, there are several ways to tell whether your Squishy Dumpling is authentic.
The biggest clue is the packaging. The original toys were created by RMS International, and legitimate packaging is labeled ‘The Viral Mystery Squishy Dumpling.’ It also includes clear safety instructions on the reverse explaining what to do if the toy leaks or becomes punctured, according to Which?
Authentic products should also display the name and address of a responsible company based in either the US or UK, depending on where the toy is being sold.
In the UK, genuine products should carry a UKCA or CE safety marking to show they have undergone the appropriate safety assessments.
Age recommendations should also be clearly displayed. If any of this information is missing, or if the toy emits a strong chemical smell, experts say it is likely to be counterfeit and should not be used.
@learning.the.limits Testing for toxic VOCs in ambient air next to viral squishy dumplings. #mystery #dumplings #squishy #voc ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design
Dad tests viral Squishy Dumpling
After hearing the warnings, one dad decided to test his daughter’s toy, to figure out whether it was safe for children to play with or not.
Jordan Collinet, who is known as @learning.the.limits on social media, has tested various different products and toys to look for toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as BTEX chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene.
VOCs can be harmful to our health, causing symptoms like acute respiratory, neurological and breathing problems and even cancer.
Taking to TikTok, Collinet asked: “Are the viral Squishy Dumplings polluting your whole room?” before testing for toxic VOCs in the ambient air surrounding the toy.
The father found that the air quality was flashing a healthy ‘green’ signal, so he decided to delve a little deeper.
Given that children get up close and personal with the toys, he decided to deal off the machine with two dumplings in a zip locked bag, which had a much more harrowing outcome.
This time, the machine revealed a TVOC 9.999 rating, which is the maximum rating for very poor air quality.
In the video, judging by the packaging, it appears the dad is using counterfeit Squishy Dumpling toys, meaning there is no implication of VOCs in the legitimate RMS International dumplings.
Related Article: Urgent Warning To Throw Away ‘Squishy Dumpling Toy’ Instantly If It Has Certain Smell
Related Article: Police Warn Viral TikTok Trend Is Putting Lives At Risk
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