‘Slime’ products ‘fail to meet standards’

PARENTS SHOULD be wary that some children’s slime products may contain higher than recommended levels of a chemical, a consumer watchdog has said.

Which? said that parents should be able to buy toys without being fearful that they could cause harm.

The consumer body called for “fundamental changes” to the product safety system after it found that some products had higher-than-recommended levels of boron.

Slime and slime products have become increasingly popular among youngsters. Compounds of boron can be used in eyedrops, mild antiseptics and washing powders.

Which? said boron is found in borax, a common ingredient in slime that helps to create its “stickiness”.

A European Union safety directive sets out how liquid or sticky toys should contain no more than 300mg/kg of boron. The consumer champion set out to investigate whether some slime products contained the recommended safe levels.

It found that eight out of 11 toy slime products tested exceeded limit. Which? said that Toysmith Jupiter Juice had more than four times the permitted level of boron with 1400mg/kg.

This was followed by CCINEE Pink Fluffy Slime, which was found to contain 1000mg/kg, and Cosoro Dodolu Crystal Slime Magic Clay, which was found to 980mg/kg, Which? added.

It said that all eight products that failed were purchased on Amazon.

One product purchased on the online marketplace, Hulk Green Halloween Slime, met the standard.

The products which did not meet the standard have been removed from Amazon’s website.

A spokesman for the company said sellers must follow guidelines and those who do not will be removed. Which? said it has passed its findings to the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

Nikki Stopford, director of research and publishing at Which?, said: “There must be fundamental changes to the product safety system.”