French Customs announced on Sunday (May 26) that approximately 6,000 plush toys imported from China were seized at the end of February at the Fos-sur-Mer port. The toys were found to contain high levels of heavy metals, leading to the decision to destroy them in accordance with the law.
According to Agence France-Presse, the “sheep-shaped” toys were originally intended to be shipped to a wholesale company in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and then sold to the French domestic market. Despite appearing normal on the outside, customs officials became suspicious during routine container inspections and conducted sampling for testing.
Laboratory results revealed that the toy fabrics contained a high concentration of hexavalent chromium (Chromium VI), nearly eight times the EU toy safety limit (EN 71-3). Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen that is highly toxic to the skin and mucous membranes, posing severe health risks, especially for infants and toddlers.
Customs in the Marseille region emphasized the need to prevent harmful products from entering the marketplace and endangering children’s health, prompting the initiation of a comprehensive destruction process. Authorities stressed the continuous reinforcement of inspections and supervision of imported children’s products, urging importers and distributors to strictly adhere to EU standards.
The European Union has been implementing the revised Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC since 2009, which prohibits toys from containing excessive levels of toxic heavy metals, allergens, plasticizers, and other harmful substances. In cases of non-compliance, heavy penalties may be imposed, along with potential recalls or destruction orders.
According to statistics released by the French Customs General Directorate, in 2024 alone, a total of 5.75 million items of toys, games, and sports products with potential safety risks were seized nationwide. The majority of these products were confiscated due to hazardous components, non-compliant labeling, or lack of certification.
(This article is based on reports from Radio France.)