‘Pimple popping’ toy with syringe could pose serious risks to kids: S’pore consumer safety watchdog

SINGAPORE – A popular “pimple popping” toy sold here that comes with a syringe could pose serious safety risks, warned Singapore’s consumer safety watchdog.

In an alert on April 7, the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) advised parents against buying these squishy toys for their children and to keep them out of reach.

The CPSO said it has seen social media videos demonstrating the use of such toys with sharp needles and syringes.

Marketed as a stress-relieving product, the user can inject air into the toy to create a blister-like bulge on the surface that can be squeezed or popped.

It is also known as “acne squeeze toy”, “bubble squeezing toy”, “inflatable squishy toy”, “pinch toy” and other similar variations.

“The sharp needle can puncture the skin and is not sterile, posing serious risks of injury and infection to a child who may not understand how to safely handle sharp syringes,” said the CPSO, which comes under the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore.

If air bubbles were to enter a child’s bloodstream through injection, it could result in stroke, heart attack, respiratory failure or death.

Those who already own such toys should throw the sharp needle away safely by placing them in a hard, puncture-resistant container with a secure lid. The product should also be disposed of as general waste.

According to the CPSO, jurisdictions in Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand have warned the public about the dangers of the toy.

The Penang government has also banned the toy over similar safety concerns, Malaysian news outlet The Star reported on April 16.

Under local council bylaws, those caught selling the toy risk having their goods seized, business licences revoked and fined RM250 (S$80).

The Straits Times has contacted the CPSO for more information.