Squishy dumplings seized over health risk

Parents have been warned about a children's squishy toy containing a chemical that can cause cancer.

More than 1,000 fake toys, branded Squeezy Dumplings, have been seized from shops in Hull after benzene was discovered in some of them.

The chemical is a carcinogen and can also cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throats, Hull City Council said.

Councillor Ted Dolman urged people to check their children's toys and dispose of any that appeared to be counterfeit.

"First of all, I would advise anyone not to panic," he said.

"The best way to tell whether these toys are the genuine ones or whether they're the ones that we wouldn't want on the market are to look at the packaging that they've been sold in.

"If they just say that they've been made in another country and don't say that they've got a supplier or importer in the UK or in the EU, they're most likely not the genuine ones."

The toys comprise a plastic basket, with a dumpling-themed squishy toy inside

He added: "However, it is important to note that some unsafe or non-compliant toys may still display this information, so parents should remain vigilant and only buy from reputable retailers.

"If there is any concern a product in your home could be affected, don't take a chance and dispose of it immediately".

The council is asking anybody who bought one of the toys, or knows of anyone selling them, to contact Hull Trading Standards.

The government's Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a national recall for the toys.

The city council said Trading Standards officers had seized and destroyed the toys following the recall.

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