Unsafe fake soft toys seized from Elgin shops

The toys are poor-quality copies of the popular Labubu dolls made by Pop Mart, which have become a collector’s craze thanks to celebrity endorsements and viral social media posts. Genuine Labubu toys are expensive and hard to find, which has led to a flood of cheap counterfeits being sold across the UK.

These fake toys pose serious safety risks to children. They haven’t gone through proper safety testing and don’t meet UK toy safety standards. Officers found that many of the toys had small parts that could easily come off, especially the plastic hands and feet, which could cause choking. Some also had poor stitching and exposed stuffing, increasing the risk of suffocation. Some fake toys seized across the country have also been found to contain dangerous chemicals, posing a significant health risk.

The message from Moray Council’s Trading Standards team is shared by Chair of the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, Cllr David Gordon: “There are significant safety concerns associated with these fake toys. Toy Safety Regulations are there to protect children from the dangers associated with toys which haven’t been properly tested to ensure they are safe from risks like harmful chemicals and choking hazards. Shops who choose to ignore these risks and sell these types of unsafe toys can expect to have them seized.”

How to Spot a Safe Toy:

• Look for the CE or UKCA safety mark on the label.
• Check the packaging for the name and address of a UK or EU supplier.
• Genuine Labubu dolls have a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a QR code linking to the official website, and a UV stamp on one foot.
• Be cautious of toys that are much cheaper than expected or look poorly made.

Moray Council’s Trading Standards team will continue to monitor local shops and take action against unsafe products. Anyone who thinks they’ve bought a fake or unsafe toy can contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.