FDA warns parents vs buying ‘toxic’ toys

MANILA, Philippines - The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) yesterday warned parents and the public against buying plastic toys for children this holiday season.

“We warn the general public, especially the parents, against buying plastic toys as this may be hazardous to the health of their children,” acting FDA director Dr. Kenneth Go said.

Go said consumers should always check the labels on the packaging, especially the chemical ingredients used in the manufacturing of the toys and the precautions on the labels.

When buying toys, Go said, parents must ensure the toys are suited for the child’s age and they must dispose of plastic packaging accordingly.

For the past weeks, the Ecowaste Coalition reported that 74 of 150 samples of toys it collected from Divisoria, Manila were laced with heavy metals above levels of concern and none of the samples provided full product information, including a list of the toy’s chemical ingredients.

The FDA said it is best to avoid giving balls with a diameter of 1.75 inches or less to prevent choking; toys that easily break into small parts or pieces; toys containing small detachable parts or pieces; toys with sharp edges or points; toys with electrical parts that could pinch or trap fingers, toes and hair; and toys with parts put together by straight pins, sharp wires or nails that are exposed and easily detached.