Girls Creator Magical Water Beads Soothing Spa — suffocation & ingestion risk

Hazard

The product presents a serious health risk as it includes water beads that expand to more than 50% of their original size within 12 hours of soaking them in water. If the small, dehydrated beads are swallowed by a young child, the bead may expand inside the digestive tract causing a blockage. The product also presents a risk of asphyxiation as if a bead is swallowed in its hydrated form, it may block a young child’s airway. OPSS has published a Product Safety Alert for water beads, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-water-beads-psa7. The product is also considered to be a cosmetic intended for children, but did not have the required labelling for cosmetic products. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 or Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.

Remedy

The import has been rejected at the border.

Product safety report

Measures taken

• Import rejected at border

Product description

A battery-operated pink foot spa toy with accessories of nail varnish, slippers, files and stickers. Multicolour cardboard packaging.