Latest news with #rctcbc.gov
The Irish Sun
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Experts issue warning to Brit parents over the Labubu toys & the simple trick to check you haven't bought a ‘dodgy doll'
IT'S one of the most sought-after buys of this year. But now Brit parents have been issued an urgent warning over the viral Labubu toys. 3 Labubus have captured the heart of the internet and have sparked a frenzy Credit: AP 3 British authorities have seized hundreds of thousands of counterfeits - which can also pose a serious health risk Credit: 3 Authorities in the UK have started issuing warnings about the dupes Credit: Intellectual Property Labubus are undoubtedly the toy of 2025 - with big names, such as Rihanna, David Beckham, Kim Kardashian, Gemma Collins and Olivia Attwood showing off the little monsters. With their devilish toothy grins and wide eyes, Labubus have captured the heart of the internet and have sparked a frenzy, with mile-long queues lining up to get their hands on the toys. A single doll can set you back anywhere from £13.50 to £211 depending on the rarity of the design. But dodgy dealers looking to make a quick buck are using underhand tactics to profit off shoppers - and experts have warned the dodgy dolls pose a serious risk. read more on parenting CLASS ACT Parents racing to buy back to school essentials & they bag a haul for under £10 The ''dangerous counterfeits'' could pose a choking hazard for children, Hull City Council's Trading Standards team told Mail Online. Rogue traders are cashing in on their popularity by selling poor-quality versions with small parts that can easily detach. Hundred have been seized, but it is feared there could be many more still on sale across the nation. However, there are also easy ways to check if you have purchased a fake Labubu. The dodgy dolls tend to have matt packaging rather than glossy and more or less than the nine gnashers the original Labubus have. A different shape or size of the mouth can also be an indicator you've bought a dangerous counterfeit. Dramatic moment crowds join massive queue to grab viral Labubu dolls as latest doll craze sweeps across the world The quality of a fake Labubu will also be of poorer standard, like wobbly limbs and odd colours. To really know if you've got the real deal, buyers of newer editions will find a UV-detectable seal on the right foot. Under UV light, shoppers should see a silhouette of the specific Labubu model. It's understood more than 100,000 counterfeit dolls have already been seized by UK Border Force, arriving in the country in fast parcels or via air cargo. What are Labubu and why are they so popular? LABUBU is a brand of plushies designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and loved by celebrities like Olivia Attwood, Dua Lipa and Rihanna. The brand made its debut in 2015, but skyrocketed in global popularity after hitting Pop Mart shelves in 2019. Pop Mart is a Chinese toy retailer, known for its collectible designer models that are often sold in a blind box format, meaning you don't know what you've got until you've opened it. After mammoth success overseas, the Labubu craze has now made its way to the UK. The first three months of 2025 were wildly successful for the brand, with Brits searching high and low to nab one of the quirky figurines. Since opening stores in London and Manchester over the last 12 months, Labubu dolls have become cult collectibles among grown British women. Labubus come in an array of vibrant colours, unique shapes and various sizes, spanning from plush toys to striking vinyl figures. They come as little toys you can hook on your handbag, as well as mega-sized figures and quirky home decorations. The "monster elves" are sold in blind boxes, meaning consumers can't see their new doll until it is unwrapped. This clever marketing tactic designed to build suspense has been deliberately exploited by counterfeiters who are packing the boxes with cheap dupes. The fake dolls are known as Lafufus and they are flooding the global market - selling for as little as £2.99. Councils have warned that children in Scotland and Wales have fallen ill following exposure to the dolls. Helen Barnham, Deputy Director of Enforcement at the Intellectual Property Office, told The Sun: "We're seeing criminals increasingly exploit viral toy trends, with counterfeit versions of popular products appearing within days of them going viral. "These counterfeit toys are unlikely to have undergone the rigorous safety testing required for genuine products and can pose serious safety risks. "Children's safety must always come first, and we encourage parents to always research products thoroughly and only purchase from trusted sources."
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Troubling warning to parents over fake Labubu dolls in UK as thousands of toys risk ‘chemical exposure'
Plus, tips on how to spot a fake Labubu 'BE VIGILANT' Troubling warning to parents over fake Labubu dolls in UK as thousands of toys risk 'chemical exposure' PARENTS have been warned about fake Labubu dolls hitting the UK shore as they could pose a serious harm. A Welsh council has issued a warning after discovering counterfeit toys in Pontypridd. 2 Parents have been warned over fake Labubus sold in the UK Credit: 2 The counterfeit toys didn't pass safety tests Credit: Facebook/Rhondda Cynon Taf Council After mammoth success overseas, the Labubu craze has now made its way to the UK. A single Labubu, a plushie designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, can cost anywhere from £13.50 to £211, depending on the rarity of the design. A blind box of six from Pop Mart will set you back a whopping £105. Meanwhile, the counterfeit Labubus were being sold for as little as £2.99 and £3.99. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has seized more than 32 keyrings and 95 boxes of these fake dolls. Safety risk It was discovered that the toys lacked essential safety testing that guarantees they adhere to regulations. Rhian Hope, Head of Public Protection and Regulatory Services at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, told Wales Online: "Following the discovery of counterfeit toys, we want to alert consumers and particularly parents to be extra vigilant. "These counterfeit toys can seem like a bargain compared with trying to source the genuine toy, especially when they are a much-sought-after item, but they are potentially dangerous. "Counterfeit toys can potentially pose significant dangers to young children such as chemical exposure and choking hazards. "These products routinely lack proper safety testing and we encourage anyone concerned about the safety of toys they've purchased to get in touch with us via Consumer Advice." I snagged one of the viral Labubu dolls in Dublin store and unboxing was a huge success The council has warned parents that unauthorised electrical toys can result in fires or electrocution while toxic materials can cause burns and serious injury. Bargain hunters should also be aware that phoney and cheap toys can shatter and create injuries or choking risks. Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said: "These counterfeiters are cashing in on the latest craze and prioritising profit over safety. "As well as infringing the genuine product's trademark, they are not carrying out the required testing to ensure the product is safe." How to spot a fake Labubu Packaging: Real Labubu's come in a box with a matte finish and smooth feel. Real Labubu's come in a box with a matte finish and smooth feel. QR code: Newer Labubu's have a QR code that takes you to Pop Mart's website and confirm if they're real or fake Newer Labubu's have a QR code that takes you to Pop Mart's website and confirm if they're real or fake Features: Real Labubu's have ears that point slightly inward, nine teeth, bright and lively eyes (not closed) and pale, peachy faces. Real Labubu's have ears that point slightly inward, nine teeth, bright and lively eyes (not closed) and pale, peachy faces. Quality: Real Labubu's have soft fur and seamless stitching. Real Labubu's have soft fur and seamless stitching. Foot stamp: Labubu's have a Pop Mart logo on their right foot Labubu's have a Pop Mart logo on their right foot UKCA/CE Mark: MOST IMPORTANT - there should be UKCA/CE mark on the product itself (unless too small - in which case must be supplied with the item, e.g. on box) and there needs to be a name of importer into the UK (i.e. a UK on the label). Source: Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Businesses face legal action The council's Trading Standards division has already confiscated the counterfeit goods and will destroy them. Firms found selling the fake Labubus risk facing legal action if they don't stop immediately. Harris continued: "Enforcement is always a last resort, that is only undertaken when we believe a law has been broken that would cause harm to the public. "But the message is clear: if you are found selling these items, we will take action!" Parents have been advised to buy only from trusted, verified merchants to avoid risks to health. The Sun has reached out to Pop Mart for a comment. Where to buy Labubu? Labubu dolls are sold on Amazon, the Pop Mart website, as well as in the toy retailer's various UK outlets. Among these are London's famous Oxford Street, as well as Westfield shopping centres and Manchester's Chinatown district. Pop Mart is a Chinese toy retailer, known for its collectible designer models that are often sold in a blind box format, meaning you don't know what you've got until you've opened it.
