Counterfeit versions of Labubu dolls are proving to be a serious choking hazard for young children, trading standards officials have warned.
Hull City Council said its officers had seized hundreds of the “dangerous” toys from shops around the city, and warned that it was likely many were still on sale.
Genuine versions of the plush toys have become a global sensation since their launch 10 years ago.
Rachel Stephenson, the council’s head of public protection, said: “[Fake ones] might be cheaper or more easily available than the real thing, which can be tempting when children are desperate to get their hands on one. However, it is simply not worth the risk.”
The warning follows a similar alert issued in Lincolnshire recently.
Hull City Council said poorly-made fakes had small parts that could easily detach.
It said the “dodgy dolls” could be identified by a series of features that set them apart from the real thing.
The packaging on real versions has a Pop Mart sticker or a QR code, with newer versions also having a seal detectable under UV light.
Fake versions of the toy can have fewer teeth, uneven fur and wobbly limbs.
Ms Stephenson said: “[The fake dolls] can easily come apart, posing a serious choking hazard for small children.
“[We] would urge all parents to check products carefully, and purchase only those they’re certain are genuine.”