Illegal Childrens Shoes Containing Banned Chemicals Found On Sale in Devon

Some kids’ beach shoes with illegal chemicals turned up in Devon. Trading Standards checked stuff sold in southwest England and found six out of fifteen pairs with too many phthalates, which are used to soften plastic.

Shops in Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, and Somerset sold the shoes. The stores have since removed them from their shelves. Devon County Council is advocating for national testing and urging retailers to carefully vet their suppliers.

Officers purchased various plastic shoes, including jelly shoes, from different stores to test their phthalate content. Prices in the stores also varied.

Phthalate use is closely watched, and officials have reported the findings to the product safety office. They suggested more national testing on these types of shoes.

Ben Newell, a Trading Standards official, advises businesses to scrutinize their supply chains and ensure overseas sellers provide comprehensive safety test information. He also emphasized that businesses need the manufacturer’s contact information to facilitate tracing products if a problem arises.

Rufus Gilbert, a Devon council member, reassures parents that they shouldn’t worry about shoe safety. Trading Standards proactively removes unsafe items from stores and online. Their ultimate goal is to collaborate with importers to prevent unsafe shoes from entering the UK.