Hospitals in the United Kingdom have documented numerous children with severe burns after playing with viral squishy toys.
Some of the toys detonated when people put them in a microwavable oven, leading to burns and putting youngsters at risk from mysterious chemicals.
Medical experts state the injuries stem from poisonous compounds in the soft polymer marketed via e‑commerce.
Trading Standards officers in Gloucestershire have taken almost 2,000 the products in a country‑wide regulatory sweep.
The seizure follows calls from councils and consumer groups to halt sales.
Authorities urge parents to throw away any squishy toy that has been heated or shows signs of chemical leakage.