Certain popular squishy toys remain available in Dutch stores despite safety warnings and investigations in neighboring countries following serious injuries.
An eight-year-old child in France suffered severe second-degree burns when a gel-filled toy burst open, splashing hot, sticky material across his face and chest.
Incidents and regional product bans
The product involved in the French incident, called Cool Mix Supergel, continues to be sold in Dutch retail outlets, with store operators choosing not to remove it from shelves for now.
In Belgium, toxicologists identified substances in squishy dumpling toys that may be carcinogenic, leading major online store Bol and other regional retailers to withdraw those items as a precautionary measure.
Similar items previously pulled from Belgian shelves can still be purchased in the Netherlands through multiple major retail networks and third-party vendors.
Ongoing Dutch testing and advice
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is running laboratory tests on various squishy toys following complaints regarding strong chemical smells.
Early testing found volatile organic compounds capable of causing respiratory irritation, though the consumer watchdog has not yet reached final conclusions.
Safety officials have also warned against a viral online trend of heating the toys in microwaves, noting that internal gel can easily overheat and burst through the outer casing.
Consumer advocacy group Consumentenbond confirmed that toys sold in the country must meet European regulations and is waiting for the safety authority’s final report before taking further steps.
