Health3 min(s) read
Published 10:33 24 Jun 2026 GMT
An urgent warning has been issued to parents about a viral toy dumpling - especially if it begins to get a certain smell.
In recent months, one of the latest mystery toys to go viral is a squishy dumpling in a plastic dim sum box, with children clamoring to get their hands on the 'rare' colors.
As with other viral crazes, including Labubu dolls, when demand outstrips supply, a wave of fakes quickly hit the market to capitalize on those parents desperate to fulfill their little one's wishes to own one.
The mystery squishy dumplings, originally created by RMS International, went viral on TikTok as users shared thousands of videos of them unboxing the different colored toys, hoping to get a glittery version.
Trading Standards have now issued a warning to parents about the safety of counterfeit dumplings, urging parents to throw away any that have a strong chemical smell, especially one similar to petrol.
Swansea Council revealed it had tested various seized counterfeit products and found that many of them contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as Ethyl Benzene, Styrene, m-Xylene, p-Xylene and o-Xylene.
Rhys Harries, Swansea Council's Trading Standards Officer, warned: "When a toy gives off a strong chemical smell and is missing basic safety information, that should ring alarm bells for parents and retailers alike.
"Our main concern is the risk posed to children if unsafe items end up in homes, school bags or play areas."
Glasgow City Council Trading Standards officers also revealed that they'd seized almost 6,000 counterfeit toys from a warehouse in the city earlier this month, and shared concerns that they may contain harmful chemicals.
Laura Doherty, Glasgow city councillor and city convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, explained: "The items which have been recovered pose serious dangers to anyone using or playing with them."
According to Science Direct, the danger stems from gases given off from the materials used in tactile toys, which can cause a series of short- and long-term health issues.
The outlet states: "Children are particularly susceptible to these chemical insults because their respiratory, immune, and neurological systems are still in critical stages of development.
"Furthermore, their higher inhalation rates relative to body mass can lead to a greater internal dose of pollutants compared to adults (Heinrich, 2011).
"Chronic exposure to indoor VOCs during early childhood has been scientifically linked to adverse health outcomes, including the exacerbation of respiratory symptoms such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, as well as potential neurodevelopmental impairments (Boyle et al., 2011, Mendell, 2007)."
Health concerns can include nausea, headaches, skin irritation, and breathing problems, as well as posing a choking hazard for small children.
Parents have been told to check for a few signs to see if their dumpling toy is genuine, with legitimate RMS dumpling toys containing a UKCA/CE marking, which indicates the toy has been safety assessed, age restriction information and safety warnings, as well as details of the manufacturer.
If the toy does not contain the above information, there is a high chance it is counterfeit, meaning it may not be safe for a child to play with. Parents are advised to dispose of the toy if they notice it has a chemical smell.
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