27/06/2026
Please note that we have come to the decision to not allow the sale of squishy dumplings at any of our events. This has not been a light decision. However, with artificial and counterfeit squishy dumplings now flooding the legitimate UK market, including products distributed through wholesalers and warehouses, we cannot rely on any certification documents presented by sellers.
UK Trading Standards investigations have shown:
• Counterfeit squishy dumplings are entering legitimate retail channels, including goods seized at UK ports and border inspections before importation. These items were found to be incorrectly labelled, lacking traceable supplier details, and failing basic safety standards.
• Large‑scale wholesaler involvement has been confirmed, including seizures of 5,900 counterfeit squishy toys from a Glasgow warehouse, demonstrating that unsafe products are being supplied through wholesale distribution chains rather than only small independent sellers.
• Trading Standards reports highlight that counterfeit toys often come with misleading, incomplete, or falsified safety documentation, including packaging that mimics CE/UKCA marks without genuine testing or compliance. These fake documents are used to reassure retailers and customers, despite the toys failing chemical and physical safety checks. (Inference based on repeated findings of incorrect labelling, missing responsible‑person details, and counterfeit safety markings across seized batches.)
• Counterfeit squishy dumplings have been found to contain hazardous chemicals, including formaldehyde, solvents, phthalates, and benzene, which pose risks such as nausea, headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, and potential long‑term harm.
• UK authorities warn that 75% of counterfeit toys fail safety tests, often due to banned chemicals, choking hazards, unsafe labelling, and misleading certification.
Because wholesalers are supplying counterfeit dumplings with packaging that appears legitimate, and because forged or unreliable certification documents are now common in this product category, event organisers cannot reasonably verify which products are safe. We therefore have a duty of care to protect the general public—and especially children—from chemical exposure, choking hazards, burns, and other risks.
For this reason, no stalls at our events will be permitted to sell squishy dumpling toys in any form.
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How to tell if a squishy dumpling is unsafe (UK guidance)
These points can be shared with stallholders or the public to explain the risks clearly:
• Missing or suspicious UKCA/CE mark
Counterfeit dumplings often use fake or incorrectly printed safety marks, or omit them entirely. Genuine toys must show a clear CE or UKCA mark.
• No UK‑based responsible person details
Legitimate toys must list a UK manufacturer/importer name and address. Counterfeit toys frequently lack this, making certification impossible to verify.
• Incorrect or forged documentation
Trading Standards repeatedly report toys with misleading labels, fake compliance marks, and packaging designed to imitate legitimate certification, especially in wholesale batches. (Inference based on multiple sources describing incorrect labelling, counterfeit marks, and non‑compliant documentation.)
• Strong chemical or petrol‑like smell
Unsafe dumplings may emit strong chemical odours due to formaldehyde, solvents, phthalates, or benzene. This is a major red flag.
• Very cheap pricing from wholesalers
Trading Standards note that genuine products are scarce and expensive; unusually low prices often indicate counterfeit goods.
• Poor printing, spelling errors, or mismatched branding
Counterfeit packaging often contains spelling mistakes or low‑quality printing—common signs of fake certification.
• No safety warnings or age guidance
Legitimate toys must include warnings and instructions. Counterfeit dumplings often have none.
• Risky social‑media trends (e.g., heating/microwaving)
Heating these toys can cause burns or release toxic fumes. This has already resulted in injuries.
