PEOPLE are being urged to be vigilant after popular "squishy" sensory toys were found to fail UK safety standards.
Staffordshire County Council said products had been seized due to the risk they posed to children.
Some of the items – often designed to look like food items – carried a risk of skin irritation or becoming a choking hazard.
Cllr Anthony Screen, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety and resilience, said:
"These squishy toys have become incredibly popular, particularly with children and young people, but safety should always come first.
"While many products on sale are perfectly legitimate, some cheaper imitation versions may not meet the standards required in the UK.
"We would encourage parents, carers and anyone buying these toys to check labels carefully, look for UKCA or CE markings and only buy from reputable retailers."
Businesses are also being reminded of their legal responsibilities when placing products on the market.
Retailers and suppliers should ensure products meet UK safety requirements, are correctly labelled and can be traced back through reputable supply chains.
Anyone concerned about a potentially unsafe product can report them online on the Trading Standards webpage or by calling 01785 330356.
