The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued an urgent recall for Squeezy Dumplings toys sold in the UK after laboratory tests revealed they contain dangerous levels of benzene, a known carcinogen.
Health Risk from Benzene
Benzene is a highly flammable, colourless liquid with a sweet, gasoline-like odour. It is classified as a carcinogen and is strongly linked to leukemia and other blood cancers. The Squeezy Dumplings were found to contain 20 milligrams of benzene per kilogram of material, four times the UK legal maximum of 5mg/kg.
Product Details and Recall Action
The toys were sold by Cardiff-based wholesaler Samsons Cash and Carry Ltd and manufactured in China. The OPSS has instructed customers to stop using the products immediately, keep them away from children, and contact Samsons Cash and Carry Ltd directly for refund or disposal instructions.
Broader Context of Toy Recalls
This recall is part of a concerning pattern. Earlier this year, two sand art kits were also recalled after Which? testing found they contained tremolite asbestos, a banned substance that can cause serious lung diseases if inhaled. One kit, marketed as a Montessori sand art tray, was available on Amazon Marketplace and TikTok Shop. Despite an OPSS recall in March, identical products remained on sale until May. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies all forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans, and any amount is prohibited in UK products.
