Lead levels exceeded the norm by hundreds of times: dangerous children's toys found in Ukraine

The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, following planned inspections, found nine types of non-food products that may pose a danger to the health and lives of consumers. Most of them are children’s toys.

This was reported on the official website of the State Service on 25 June 2026.

In some of the inspected goods, a significant excess of the permissible content of lead and cadmium was recorded. Other products did not meet fire and mechanical safety requirements.

“We pay special attention to products for children, because even seemingly ordinary items can pose a serious threat due to the presence of hazardous substances or non-compliance with safety requirements,” said Deputy Head of the State Service, Andriy Kreytor.

The list of dangerous products includes:

1. Mains-powered LED night light with a “Ball” button. Cadmium content was 3,480 mg/kg against the permissible level of no more than 100 mg/kg, and lead — 882,000 mg/kg against the norm of no more than 1,000 mg/kg.

2. Bubble-blowing set — blaster with liquid. Detected 2,890 mg/kg cadmium and 935,000 mg/kg lead.

3. Children’s flying launcher toy. Cadmium content was 3,260 mg/kg, lead — 795,000 mg/kg.

4. Toy dog in a carrier with a soft bone. The toy material was found to be highly flammable.

5. Toy stroller. The product poses a risk of bodily injury, choking or asphyxiation.

6. Toy “Elephant — musical phone”. Detected 4,060 mg/kg cadmium and 825,000 mg/kg lead.

7. Musical toy shaped like an animal. Cadmium content was 5,630 mg/kg, and lead — 907,000 mg/kg.

8. Children’s developmental phone with sounds. Recorded 3,870 mg/kg cadmium and 930,000 mg/kg lead.

9. Children’s musical phone with light. Lead content was 765,000 mg/kg.

The service warns that lead and cadmium can accumulate in a child’s body during contact with the products, causing poisoning and nervous system disorders.

Consumers were urged to check whether they have the listed items at home and to stop using them immediately if found. Information about dangerous non-food products is published on the uvaga.gov.ua portal.

When buying toys and other goods, specialists recommend checking for the conformity mark to technical regulations, requesting a declaration of conformity from the seller, and paying attention to the quality of materials.

Do not buy items with a strong chemical smell, brittle plastic or overly bright paint that transfers to the hands. Battery-operated toys should have a battery compartment closed by a screw-secured cover.

Consumers are asked to report the sale of dangerous goods to the territorial bodies of the State Service. Business entities must immediately withdraw such products from circulation.

Earlier we wrote:

• Dangerous night lights threaten Mykolaiv residents: products are being removed from sale
• Poisonous cups from China: dangerous lead and cadmium detected
• Dangerous coffee: an illegal counterfeit production was discovered in Mykolaiv