Karlie Scott, a mother of three who shares lifestyle content on Instagram, has admitted she regrets ignoring safety warnings about viral squishy dumpling toys after discovering her children's toys smelled like petrol. Speaking to her 17,600 followers, she said she initially paid little attention to media reports about the dangers but now realises the risks are serious.
Mum Shares Personal Warning
In a video posted online, Scott said: 'I know you've probably seen lots of videos about the viral dumplings, about the problems that they've been causing with children. I'll be honest, as a parent, my children have these and I haven't really been paying enough attention to what they've been saying in the media.' She added that while she knew microwaving the toys was dangerous, she thought her children were safe because they could not reach the microwave. However, after looking closer, she realised the toys posed other hazards.
Scott held up three of her children's squishy dumpling toys and noted that one 'absolutely stinks of petrol', another had a 'chemical smell sort of like nail varnish', and only the third seemed fine. None of the toys had a safety logo or age restrictions on the packaging, which she said indicated they were counterfeit. 'To be on the safe side, I am chucking them all in the bin as my children are far more important than the toys,' she said. In the caption, she urged others to share the warning: 'These toys are not safe and need to be removed asap!'
Official Safety Alerts and Toxic Chemical Risks
The UK government and Trading Standards have issued urgent safety alerts over counterfeit squishy dumpling toys. Official testing revealed that unbranded and counterfeit versions contain excessive levels of benzene, a Group 1 carcinogen. Some seized items contained up to 20mg/kg of benzene, which is four times the legal UK limit for toys. Other hazardous substances found include formaldehyde, solvents, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as styrene and xylene, which can cause nausea, headaches, skin irritation, and breathing problems.
Emergency services and burns units have also warned against a social media trend encouraging children to microwave the toys. Microwaving causes the internal gel to superheat, explode, and spray blistering fluid, resulting in life-changing chemical and heat burns. Many unsafe versions split open easily during normal play, and the white, cream-like gel inside looks like real food to toddlers, posing severe choking and ingestion risks. Additionally, the toys often emit a pungent chemical smell similar to petrol or nail polish remover, and inhaling these fumes can cause immediate irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
Public Response and Further Advice
Scott's post caught the attention of many parents, with one commenting: 'Omg this is crazy!' Another added: 'Wow, so good to know.' A third wrote: 'So true and these are so popular now.' Authorities advise parents to check for CE or UKCA safety marks, age guidance, and a valid UK importer address. Dangerous versions lack these markings. Parents are also urged to avoid microwaving the toys and to dispose of any that have a strong chemical smell or no safety labels.
