Dolls sold at discount shops contain illegal concentrations of chemicals that could make children ill
Stocks of the bargain-basement Sweet Fashion doll and Girl Beautiful doll, which appear to mimic Frozen and Barbie toys, were seized from a wholesaler in Nottingham.
Trading standards officials say the dolls continue potentially-dangerous levels of phthalates, which are used to toughen plastic but face restrictions in Europe over safety fears.
The dolls, which originate from China, could already be on sale for £1 to £3 at discount retailers across the UK – where they risk being snapped up by cash-strapped parents hoping to find cheap last-minute Christmas gifts.
Trading standards official Jane Bailey said: “The last thing anyone wants is Christmas ruined by their child becoming ill because of a toy they have been given.
Cancer link
“We understand the financial pressures people are under at the moment, but I’d urge parents to resist the temptation to buy cheap toys like these.
“They will carry none of the required quality marks and will likely have been subjected to no product testing at all.”
The dolls have been in circulation since May, according to Nottingham City Council’s trading standards department, and are thought to have been “supplied across the country” after “entering the UK through a number of different importers”.
The use of phthalates is tightly restricted from use in toys across Europe and toy manufacturers and products must contain no more than 0.1 per cent.
The chemical compound has been linked to cancer, infertility and child deformities.
Frightening
Robert Chantry-Price of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute said previously: “It is frightening to think that large quantities of phthalates are still being used in children’s toys.
“Phthalates are carcinogenic, mutagenic and can cause reproductive problems but, despite legislation to the contrary, significant amounts of these substances can be found in a wide range of toys and child-care products.
“If these toys fall into the hands of very young children or babies, it’s more likely they will chew on the plastic and consume the chemicals.”
He added: “Parents should be cautious when buying toys this Christmas and not fall for the first deal they see.
“Make sure to buy from reputable shops, beware of products that are drastically cheaper and look at the packaging for the distributor’s details and a CE mark.”
