Fake Labubu dolls can be a deadly hazard to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in an “urgent warning” issued Monday.
The plush, mischievous monster dolls have risen in global popularity over the last year, and they can often be spotted hanging from backpacks and purses.
Sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the dolls are in high demand — making them hard for fans to purchase. Their popularity has led to the creation of knockoffs dubbed “Lafufus,” often dolls by third-party sellers online and unauthorized retailers.
“These fakes, sold both as plush figures and plush keychains, are small enough for a child to fit the doll in their mouth and block their airway,” the safety commission said in a news release. “CPSC has also received reports of fake Labubu dolls that break apart easily, releasing small pieces that can become choking hazards.”
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute, which represents the United Kingdom trading standards industry, issued a similar warning to consumers last week, saying the toys often break the United Kingdom’s toy safety regulations.
A fake Labubu doll
Chartered Trading Standards Institute
The U.S. commission urged consumers not to purchase the fake dolls and to stop using them immediately.
The imitation dolls violate federal regulations for toys with small parts, and the commission said it would “continue aggressive enforcement at U.S. ports to block dangerous imports before they reach American families.”
“These fake Labubu dolls are dangerous, illegal, and have no place in American homes,” said Peter Feldman, acting chairman of the U.S. safety commission, in a news release. “No parent should have to wonder if a toy will stop their child from breathing. Protect your children and buy only from reputable sellers.”
The commission offered ways to spot a fake Labubu:
Beware of bargainsLook for a scannable code on the tag of the doll that should lead to Pop Mart’s websiteMake sure the doll has nine teethCheck safety labels