The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a UK-wide warning advising the public to immediately stop using pimple-popping squishy toys that include sharp needles or syringes, following reports of injury risk.
In a statement published on Gov.uk, the OPSS said the safety alert comes after an urgent investigation into the sale of these items across the UK. The toys, often marketed as adult stress relievers, fall under UK toy safety regulations and pose a serious injury risk to adults and children alike, according to the OPSS.
Retailers instructed to remove listings
The OPSS has instructed online retailers to remove all related listings and is urging businesses to monitor their platforms and inform customers of the potential risks. The toys are designed to let users create bubbles or insert liquids using sharp needles, and are intended to be squeezed or popped.
The OPSS said: "While many of the products are marketed as ‘adult stress toys’, they clearly fall within the scope of UK Toy Regulations and present a risk of injury to people of all ages including children."
Child admitted to A&E after injury
These toys require users to use a sharp, unsterile medical needle or syringe to inject air or liquid into the toy, creating a bubble or blister to pop. At least one child has already been admitted to A&E after using such a toy.
According to reports published by The Telegraph and Metro, the child required emergency hospital treatment after accidentally stabbing themselves in the hand and piercing their finger with the sharp, unsterile medical needle packaged inside one of the "pimple popper" sets. This specific injury, combined with a surge in the toys' popularity on social media, led the Department for Business and Trade and consumer protection watchdogs to launch their formal safety investigation.
Infection and bloodstream risks
Beyond skin punctures, the unsterile needles pose a serious risk of infection. Watchdogs warn that if air bubbles are accidentally injected into a child's bloodstream, it can cause major medical issues like a stroke, heart attack, or respiratory failure.
To assist the public, the OPSS has published multiple product safety notices identifying the affected toys. Anyone who owns one is advised to discontinue use immediately and store any sharp elements in a puncture-proof container until they can be disposed of safely, keeping them entirely out of reach of children.
Safe disposal advice
Secure the needles by placing them directly into a hard, puncture-resistant container, such as a sharps bin or a thick plastic container with a secure lid. Never throw loose needles directly into general household waste.
You can visit your local council's website or contact them directly for details on local waste disposal. Some pharmacies and medical centres may also take sharps containers, though you should confirm before visiting.
