Counterfeit squishy toys flooding the international market have prompted the Australian Border Force to step in and seize unauthorized shipments, following reports that cheap knock-offs have caused serious burns to children. The popular tactile toys, including genuine NeeDoh products manufactured by Schylling, have seen a massive surge in demand this year, creating a booming secondary market for unregulated imitations that bypass standard safety testing.
Australian Border Force Targets Counterfeit Squishy Toys
The Australian Border Force has been tasked with intercepting fake squishy toys at the border after local distributors and manufacturers requested urgent government intervention. Schylling and its Australian distributor, William Valentine, registered intellectual property with the Australian Border Force Notice of Objection scheme to stop unverified products from entering the country. Benjamin Halls, managing director, stated that counterfeit versions bypass rigorous design, manufacturing, and independent safety testing.
Retailers received warnings in June detailing an influx of imitation websites and products entering the supply chain. Authorities noted that counterfeiters often use suspiciously low prices, misspelled branding, and false collaborations with major corporations like Coca-Cola or Pepsi to lure buyers. Beyond intellectual property concerns, investigators warned that the materials inside these knock-offs remain largely unknown, posing severe risks if the outer shells split or rupture.
Severe Burn Injuries Linked to Heated Toys
Alongside the counterfeit crackdown, health authorities across Australia have issued urgent warnings following a viral social media trend involving children microwaving squishy toys. The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network reported that between January and September, 11 children aged six to 12 were referred to the Burns and Plastics Treatment Centre at Westmead for injuries caused by heated toys. Patients suffered mid to deep burns on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands, with some requiring skin grafts and long-term scar treatment.
Queensland Children’s Hospital paediatric emergency physician Veevek Thankey stated that he was aware of at least 13 burn cases since April linked to heated squishy items. In June, 10-year-old Queensland resident Violet Zerbst suffered severe face burns after placing a NeeDoh Nice Cube in the microwave for several seconds before squeezing it. Her father, Jody Zerbst, told local media that the toffee-like internal substance reached scalding temperatures, stuck to her skin, and caused severe peeling. Dr. Thankey explained that because the internal gel liquid becomes sticky, burns happen extremely fast and require intensive medical management.
Global Safety Cracks and Regulatory Warnings
Regulatory bodies internationally have taken direct enforcement action against substandard and toxic squishy items. In the United Kingdom, the Office for Product Safety and Standards issued a recall for Samsons Cash and Carry Squeezy Dumplings after tests revealed excess concentrations of benzene, a chemical linked to leukaemia. Thousands of non-compliant toys were seized from shops in North East Lincolnshire and the Isle of Man. In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission stopped 55 shipments at ports, blocking more than 355,000 noncompliant units from entering the country.
Meanwhile, Schylling faces a class-action lawsuit in the United States filed by lead plaintiff Cristiana Mendoza, who alleges a Nice Cube exploded upon squeezing and expelled extremely hot filler onto her leg, causing blistering and burns. Schylling explicitly warns consumers never to heat, freeze, or microwave NeeDoh products. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission confirmed it is liaising with domestic and international regulators regarding mandatory standards for lead and other chemical levels in children’s products.
Pro Tip: First Aid for Thermal Gel Burns
Dr. Veevek Thankey advises that if a squishy toy bursts or causes a thermal burn, remove any remaining gel from the skin immediately and place the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes before seeking medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are squishy toys being seized at the border?
The Australian Border Force is targeting counterfeit squishy toys because unauthorized knock-offs bypass safety testing, use unknown chemical fillings, and infringe on registered intellectual property.
Are genuine squishy toys dangerous?
Genuine products undergo strict safety evaluations, but health authorities warn that no squishy toy is safe to microwave, freeze, or heat. Doing so changes the internal gel into a scalding, sticky substance that can cause severe skin burns upon rupture.
What chemicals have been found in illegal squishy toys?
Overseas safety regulators discovered excess concentrations of benzene—a chemical linked to leukaemia—in certain unverified squishy toys seized in the UK.
What should parents look for when purchasing these toys?
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recommends avoiding toys with strong chemical smells, weak seams, loose beads, or leaking parts, and advising buyers to verify ingredient lists and purchase from reputable retailers.
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