Dangerous ‘Frozen’ dolls seized in Coventry
More than 2,000 dangerous fake ‘Frozen’ dolls have been seized in Coventry.
Dolls containing chemicals which can lead to reproductive system damage, increased risk of cancer and asthma.
The fake character dolls from the hugely popular Disney film were intercepted at the international Parcelforce hub next to Coventry Airport before they reached the shop shelves.
The plot to import the counterfeit dolls was thwarted by Warwickshire trading standards officers working alongside UK Border Force staff.
Tests on the dolls, which had been imported from China, revealed that they contained chemicals harmful to children.
A major concern was the high level of plastic-softening chemicals phthalates found.
If toys containing the chemicals are chewed, they can lead to damage to the reproductive system, an increased risk of cancer and asthma.
Mums and dads in Coventry and Warwickshire are being warned to check any similar dolls to make sure they are genuine in case any other fakes have made it into the country.
Coun Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for community safety, said: “Warwickshire Trading Standards Service has been working for some time with the UK Border Force to identify both counterfeit and potentially dangerous consumer products.
“Our goal has to be to ensure that illegal consumer goods do not make their way in to the shops and in particular, to protect children.”
Trading Standards have advised consumers to look for the Disney logo present on all licensed Frozen merchandise.
This logo did not appear on the counterfeit versions seized by trading standards officers.
Coun Richard Chattaway, chair of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, said: “Product safety is one of Warwickshire Trading Standards’ key responsibilities, helping to ensure that goods in our shops and on our markets are safe to use.”
Trading Standards officers recently carried out tests for phthalates on dolls seized on import or purchased from shops and markets in the region.
Tests revealed that 20 per cent of dolls contained higher than permitted levels of chemicals and in three cases phthalates were 30 per cent higher than permitted. In the worst case they were 51 per cent higher.
Seven of the dolls also failed to meet toy safety labelling requirements.
The trading standards teams that purchased dangerous dolls are now working to ensure that others are removed from sale.
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