There are many counterfeit versions of the highly popular soft toys, but they come with a risk
Labubu toys have become popular with adults and children alike, and there’s plenty on the market. The small fluffy monster plushies became the must-have accessory last year, with the likes of Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Olivia Attwood even buying into the trend.
The brainchild of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, they became a sought-after collectable in the designer toy market. POP MART licensed and produced the collectable toys, which have gone viral.
Due to its popularity, many knockoff versions of Labubu toys have appeared. This week, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued a product recall notice for a counterfeit Labubu.
The toy is described as a green Labubu-style soft-filled toy with spinning tail (pull cord), approximately 17cm high. However, it has been pulled from sale due to a serious health risk.
The OPSS said: “The product presents a serious risk of choking as the keyring attachment and right foot can easily detach. This creates a small part which fits entirely within a small parts cylinder.
“The small parts pose a choking hazard to young children, particularly those under 36 months of age who have a natural tendency to explore objects by placing them in their mouths.
“The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.” As a result, the OPSS said the products have been removed from sale by the local distributor.
By October 2025, a total of 259,000 counterfeit toys had already been confiscated at Britain’s borders that year, with the overwhelming majority being fake Labubu dolls.
Many shoppers are drawn to counterfeit items because they are often much cheaper and easier to obtain than official Labubu products. However, 75% of the confiscated toys that failed safety checks contained prohibited chemicals and posed choking risks.
Helen Barnham, deputy director of enforcement at the Intellectual Property Office, warned: “With counterfeit toys, what you see is rarely what you get. Behind the packaging can be hidden choking hazards, toxic chemicals and faulty parts that put children in real danger.
“These products have bypassed every safety check the law requires, which is why we’re working with our partners to keep these dangerous fakes out of UK homes.
“Our ‘Fake Toys, Real Harm’ campaign aims to raise awareness among parents and present buyers of the hidden harms associated with counterfeits. Child safety must come first, so we’re urging parents – please don’t let your child be the tester.”
The Intellectual Property Office has outlined the red flags shoppers should be wary of when buying goods. The advice reads: “Stick to trusted retailers or official brand websites and be cautious with third-party sellers on marketplaces.
“Check reviews carefully. Look beyond the five-star ones and read the negatives. Be wary of prices that look ‘too good to be true’. Counterfeits are often much cheaper.”
