Product safety reportOPSS
Cheesy Puffs - Soft Plush Toy sold on AliExpress safety warning over harmful chemicals
Product Safety Report for soft toy presenting a serious chemical risk.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice
What to do now
The problem with Cheesy Puffs - Soft Plush Toy sold on AliExpress is chemical: it contains something that should not be there at that level.
- Stop using it, and take it off children straight away.
- Wash your hands and any skin that has been in contact with it.
- The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
- If you cannot reach the seller, Trading Standards can be told through Citizens Advice.
Why it matters. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- skin redness, itching or a rash where it touched
Get help urgently
- if a child has chewed or swallowed part of it and is unwell, contact NHS 111 or your GP
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme.
Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2108-0115). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for soft toy presenting a serious chemical risk.
The risk
This product poses a serious chemical risk as the product contains levels of phthalates above the permissible maximum. The product was found to contain di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (63000 mg/kg) which may harm the health of children, causing possible damage to the reproductive system.
This product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 or the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008.
Action taken
Removal of the listing by the online marketplace (AliExpress).
Advice to consumers
We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (AliExpress).
Additional information
PSD case number: 2108-0115
Notified by: Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product description
A bag of toy puff snacks stuffed inside a plush pillow.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Cheesy Puffs - Soft Plush Toy sold on AliExpress been reported?
The problem with Cheesy Puffs - Soft Plush Toy sold on AliExpress is chemical: it contains something that should not be there at that level. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
How do I know if my product is affected?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official notice.
What should I do now?
Stop using it, and take it off children straight away. Wash your hands and any skin that has been in contact with it.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
Where was Cheesy Puffs - Soft Plush Toy sold on AliExpress sold?
The notice names AliExpress. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
