A federal safety agency has issued a warning to consumers about a fake version of a popular plush doll that can be a choking hazard for children.
The lookalike Labubu dolls, sometimes called Lafufu, are small enough to fit in a child’s mouth and can break apart in pieces that also can be a choking hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned.
The commission said its investigators “have identified multiple shipments of these lookalikes attempting U.S. entry from China and requested seizure of thousands of units after confirming violation of federal regulations for toys with small parts.”
Federal law prohibits importing and selling of products that do not meet the commission’s safety standards, the commission said.
“These fake Labubu dolls are dangerous, illegal, and have no place in American homes,” said Peter A. Feldman, acting commission chairman, 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 real Labubu dolls from Pop Mart feature a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a scannable QR code that links to the official Pop Mart site, and on newer versions, a subtle UV stamp on one foot.
The commission said the fake dolls also “have overly bright colors or the wrong number of teeth.” The real Labubu dolls have nine teeth.
Labubu plush dolls were created by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong illustrator.
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