Sutton Council has issued an urgent product safety alert after Trading Standards officers uncovered a batch of highly dangerous counterfeit 'Labubu' dolls in local shops. The fake toys, popular with children and collectors, have been found to pose a serious choking risk due to small parts that can easily detach.
The alarming discovery was made during a routine inspection, prompting immediate action from authorities. Genuine Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong-based Kasing Lung, are typically collectible art toys. However, these illicit copies are being marketed directly to children, significantly increasing the safety risk.
A spokesperson for Sutton Council delivered a stark warning to parents: "These fake dolls are not toys. They are cheap, dangerous imitations that can break easily, releasing small parts that a young child could choke on. We urge parents to be extremely vigilant and check the toys their children are playing with."
The counterfeit products are believed to have entered the UK through unofficial channels, bypassing stringent EU safety regulations that require all toys for children under three to pass rigorous tests. These fakes have undergone no such safety checks.
What makes these fake dolls so dangerous?
- Poor-quality materials that break easily
- Small parts (like horns and accessories) that detach with minimal force
- Lack of compliance with UK and EU toy safety standards
- Packaging that often omits mandatory safety warnings
The council is advising anyone who has purchased one of these dolls to remove it from their child immediately and to contact Trading Standards. Parents are also encouraged to report any shops still selling the hazardous items.
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the hidden dangers posed by counterfeit goods and the vital role Trading Standards plays in keeping consumers, especially children, safe from harm.
