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Squishies, the squeezable children's toys that have become popular in primary schools, have been banned in Denmark due to safety concerns. The toys were found to contain toxic chemicals, including cancer-causing substances and chemicals linked to liver damage, eye irritation, and infertility. Following the ban in Denmark, there have been calls for similar action in Australia, where Squishies are still readily available in major retailers. While Australian regulators have launched an investigation into the toys, there are currently no laws in Australia that make it illegal to sell unsafe products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are Squishies banned in Australia? | No, but they are under investigation. |
| Are Squishies safe for children? | No, they contain dangerous chemicals. |
| What are Squishies? | Children's toys, similar to foam stress balls, usually shaped as animals or treats. |
| Why are they being investigated? | A government agency in Denmark found similar toys contained toxic chemicals. |
| What chemicals do they contain? | N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), triethylenediamine, cyclohexanone, and various fragrances. |
| What are the effects of these chemicals? | Liver toxicity, constipation, vomiting, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, drowsiness, infertility, and possibly cancer. |
| What should parents do? | Monitor their children's exposure to the toys and possibly dispose of them. |
| What action has been taken by authorities? | Consumer regulators in WA and SA have launched investigations into the toys. |
| What is the current status of Squishies in Australia? | They are still available for purchase in major retailers. |
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What You'll Learn
Squishies banned in Denmark
Squishies are soft toys made of specially formulated polyurethane foam that slowly returns to its original shape after being squeezed. They are manufactured in various shapes and sizes, such as animals, fruits, and food items, and are often scented. These toys became popular among children and adolescents, but also among adults, as they are said to relieve stress, enhance focus, and help regulate emotions.
In 2018, Squishies were banned in Denmark after a government agency found that similar squeezable toys contained toxic chemicals. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency tested 12 Squishies and found that they released unacceptable levels of harmful substances, such as dimethylformamide, triethylenediamine, cyclohexanone, and various fragrances. These chemicals are linked to liver toxicity, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, constipation, vomiting, and even cancer. As a result, the Danish government recommended that all Squishies be removed from shelves and that parents dispose of any toys they may have.
The ban on Squishies in Denmark sparked investigations into the safety of the toys in other countries, including Australia. Australian regulators launched an investigation into the toys, and consumer regulators in Western Australia and South Australia confirmed they were also investigating. Experts recommended that parents monitor their children's exposure to the toys.
While there were no laws in Australia specifically banning the sale of unsafe products, regulators could intervene if an unsafe product caused harm. Following the findings in Denmark and the subsequent investigations, there were calls for updated product safety laws in Australia with strong penalties to ensure companies sell safe products.
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Australian investigation into Squishies
In 2018, Australian regulators launched an investigation into the popular children's toy Squishies. The investigation was sparked by a ban on the toys in Denmark, where a government agency found that similar squeezable toys contained toxic chemicals.
Squishies are soft and cute foam toys, usually shaped like food or animals, that have gained popularity among primary school children in Australia. They are made from PU foam and originate from Japan. The toys are sold by major retailers in Australia for about $4 each.
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency tested 12 Squishies and found that all of them contained high levels of harmful substances, including cancer-causing chemicals, as well as chemicals linked to liver damage, eye irritation, infertility, and breathing problems. The most worrying chemical present was N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), which is easily absorbed through the skin and has been linked to liver toxicity.
Following the Danish decision, consumer regulators in Western Australia and South Australia confirmed that they were investigating the toys. Richard Hayman from the Australian Toy Association stated that unscented Squishies were likely safe to use and that people should wait for the investigations to be completed before jumping to conclusions. Dr Ian Musgrave, a molecular pharmacologist and toxicologist from the University of Adelaide, agreed, stating that Denmark's chemical standards differ from Australian regulations.
Despite the investigations and concerns, as of 2020, Squishies had not been banned in Australia, and Aussie shops were still stocking the toys. However, some parents expressed alarm at the findings of the Danish report and called for better research and safety provisions in Australia.
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Squishies contain toxic chemicals
Squishies, the children's toy that has become popular in primary schools, are under investigation in Australia. This follows a government agency report in Denmark that found similar squeezable toys contained toxic chemicals.
Tests carried out by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that squishies contained cancer-causing substances, as well as chemicals that can lead to liver damage, eye irritation, infertility, and breathing problems. The Danish EPA tested twelve soft foam toys, and all twelve emitted high levels of harmful substances. The Danish government has since banned the sale of squishies, and recommended parents dispose of any they may have.
The most worrying chemical present was N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), which is easily absorbed through the skin and has been linked to liver toxicity, as well as constipation and vomiting. The study also confirmed the presence of dangerously high levels of triethylenediamine, which is linked to eye irritation and breathing difficulties, and cyclohexanone, which can cause drowsiness. In addition, the squishies also contain various fragrances, which could encourage male breast growth.
Following the Danish decision, consumer regulators in both Western Australia and South Australia have confirmed they are investigating the toys.
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No laws in Australia banning unsafe products
In Australia, there are no laws that make it illegal to sell unsafe products. This means that it is often up to regulators to intervene if an unsafe product is on the market and causes harm. For instance, hoverboards were linked to house fires in 2016 after exploding while charging.
Sarah Agar from Choice commented that most people were shocked to learn that product safety laws in Australia did not ban unsafe products from being sold. She suggested that new laws were needed to ensure products are safe when they enter Australia, with strong penalties for companies that do not comply.
In 2018, Australian regulators launched an investigation into Squishies, a popular children's toy, after a government agency in Denmark found similar squeezable toys contained toxic chemicals. Despite the Danish decision, the toys were still available in Australia through major retailers.
Although there are no laws specifically banning unsafe products, Australia does have mandatory standards for some products, and unsafe products can be banned or recalled. The Australian Consumer Law, in effect since 2011, allows for permanent bans and standards made by the Commonwealth to apply in all States and Territories. This law was designed to create a national product safety system to ensure consistency across the country and reduce red tape for businesses operating in multiple States and Territories.
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Squishies still available in Australia
Squishies, the squeezable children's toys that have become popular in primary schools, are still available in Australia. In 2018, the toys were banned in Denmark after a government agency found that similar toys contained toxic chemicals. Following this, consumer regulators in Western Australia and South Australia launched investigations into the toys. However, as of 2020, squishies are still available in Australia through major retailers like Big W and Target, and sell for about $4 each.
There are currently no laws in Australia that make it illegal to sell an unsafe product. This means that it is often left to regulators to intervene if an unsafe product is found to be causing harm. In the case of squishies, Australian regulators have advised parents to monitor their children's exposure to the toys while investigations are ongoing.
Richard Hayman from the Australian Toy Association has stated that unscented squishies are likely to be safe to use. He recommends waiting for the completion of investigations by European and Australian authorities before taking action. Dr Ian Musgrave, a molecular pharmacologist and toxicologist from the University of Adelaide, agrees that parents should monitor their children's exposure to the toys but notes that Denmark's chemical standards are more stringent than Australian regulations.
Despite the lack of a ban, some Australian retailers have chosen to remove squishies from their shelves. However, others, such as Smiggle and Kmart, have yet to react to the Danish report. Chemicals expert Rachael Wakefield-Rann from the University of Technology Sydney has pointed out that products in Australia are often allowed to be sold before being tested for long-term health problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Squishies have not been banned in Australia, but they have been banned in Denmark and Europe. Australian regulators launched an investigation into the toys in 2018 after a government agency in Denmark found similar squeezable toys contained toxic chemicals.
Twelve different squishies were tested by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and they all contained high levels of harmful substances. These included N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), which is linked to liver toxicity, and cyclohexanone, which can cause drowsiness.
Experts say parents should monitor children's exposure to the toys. Danish authorities have recommended that parents dispose of any squishies their children own.
Richard Hayman from the Australian Toy Association said unscented squishies were likely to be safe to use. He recommended that people "hold fire" until investigations by authorities are complete.
