Toxic Squeaky Chicken Toy Banned in Europe, Sold in PH
Consumers should refrain from buying a cheap plastic chicken
toy that makes a screaming sound when squeezed due to its toxic content.
The EcoWaste Coalition, a non-profit watch group on hazardous substances on
products and wastes, revealed that the “Shrilling Chicken” toy sold in
Divisoria, a popular hub for bargain hunters, may expose children to harmful chemicals.
“This squeaky toy, which can be funny and entertaining, contains undisclosed plastic
additives that may put kids at risk from exposure to health-damaging chemicals,”
said Thony Dizon, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.
“Sold without the obligatory market authorization from the health authorities, this
toy will not pass the quality and safety requirements due to its phthalate
content above the regulatory limit,” he added.
Dizon cited the results of laboratory tests commissioned by the group
indicating the presence of phthalates DEHP and DBP up to 19 percent and 13
percent, respectively, exceeding the government’s maximum allowable limit of
0.1 percent by weight.
Phthalates, which are added to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic
flexible and soft, are endocrine disrupting chemicals linked to various
health problems, including genital abnormalities in boys such as malformed
penises and undescended testicles, and the early onset of puberty for girls.
“Sold for
P35 to P45 a piece, this contraband toy does not provide any information regarding
its manufacturer, importer or distributor aside from the usual ‘made in China
To avoid chemical risk, European countries have rejected the imported Shrilling
Chicken from China
Phthalate DEHP and SCPPs are “possibly carcinogenic to humans”
according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
To avoid being exposed to these chemicals, the EcoWaste Coalition advised
parents who have purchased “Shrilling Chicken” to keep the toy out
of children’s reach or to dispose of it
as hazardous waste.
The group also appealed to retailers not to sell their remaining stocks
of this unregistered toy and to return it to their source for proper disposal.
The EcoWaste Coalition further urged the Department of Health to enforce its own
directive banning specific phthalates in toys.
As per
DOH. A.O. 2009-005 as amended in 2011, “it shall be unlawful for any person
to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into
the country any children’s toys that contain concentrations of more than 0.1
percent by weight of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate
(DBP), or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).”
-end-
http://www.fda.gov.ph/attachments/article/299957/ao2009-0005-A.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumers_safety/safety_products/rapex/alerts/?event=main.notification&search_term=A12/0592/17&exclude_search_term=0&search_year=2017
https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumers_safety/safety_products/rapex/alerts/?event=main.notification&search_term=A12/0663/16&exclude_search_term=0&search_year=2016
http://unsafeproducts.eu/recall/a12111114-unknown-plastic-toy
http://unsafeproducts.eu/recall/a12110613-shrilling-chicken-squeeze-toy
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