MORE than 100 fake Labubu soft toys have been seized from shops in Elgin town centre amid fears they pose serious safety risks to children.
The toys made by Chinese toy maker Pop Mart have increased in popularity in recent years and fakes have subsequently flooded the market.
The genuine toys are expensive and hard to find.
Moray Council has said the toys that have been seized by Moray Council's trading standards team have not gone through proper safety testing and don’t meet UK toy safety standards.
Officers found that many of the toys had small parts that could easily come off, especially the plastic hands and feet, which could cause choking.
Some also had poor stitching and exposed stuffing, increasing the risk of suffocation.
Some fake toys seized across the country have also been found to contain dangerous chemicals, posing a significant health risk.
Councillor David Gordon, chair of the planning and regulatory services committee, said: “There are significant safety concerns associated with these fake toys.
"Toy Safety Regulations are there to protect children from the dangers associated with toys which haven’t been properly tested to ensure they are safe from risks like harmful chemicals and choking hazards.
"Shops who choose to ignore these risks and sell these types of unsafe toys can expect to have them seized.”
Officials in Aberdeen issued a similar warning in July after they found "counterfeit and potentially dangerous" versions of the toys in shops across the city.
The toy’s popularity soared last year after K-Pop star Lisa from girl group Blackpink shared a photo of herself with one, with other celebrities like Rihanna and Dua Lipa also posing with them.
The council has urged people to look for the CE of UKCA safety mark on the label of toys and check packaging for the name and address of a UK or EU supplier.
Genuine Labubu dolls have a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a QR code linking to the official website, and a UV stamp on one foot.
Moray Council’s Trading Standards team has said it will continue to monitor local shops and take action against unsafe products.
Anyone who thinks they’ve bought a fake or unsafe toy is advised to contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.
