An alarming investigation by the consumer advocacy group Which? has revealed that numerous hazardous baby items are readily available on prominent online marketplaces. The study identified 150 products deemed potentially lethal, raising serious concerns about the safety of infants and young children in the UK.
Unsafe Products Found Across Major Platforms
Among the items highlighted are self-feeding prop feeders, which pose significant choking hazards, and baby sleep pillows linked to suffocation incidents. These dangerous products were found on platforms including Alibaba, AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and TikTok Shop. Notably, nearly a quarter of the identified products were listed on Amazon, a platform that has frequently promoted itself as a leader in the detection of unsafe goods.
Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, expressed her concerns, stating, “The lives of babies are at risk because these platforms won’t stop dangerous products from reaching their customers. We’ve shown how easy it is to find these unsafe products, so it’s impossible to take companies as powerful as Amazon or eBay at their word when they claim safety is a top priority.”
Regulatory Changes Needed
Which? is calling on the UK government to leverage new powers established under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act. This Act allows for the imposition of strict safety requirements on online marketplaces, coupled with penalties for non-compliance. The consumer group’s research focused on products that had already been flagged by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) in the past.
For instance, in 2022, the OPSS issued alerts concerning 54 self-feeding devices available across several platforms, warning that such items could lead to serious injury or even death. These devices enable infants to bottle-feed without constant supervision, which can result in choking or aspiration pneumonia if the milk enters the lungs. Because choking incidents can occur silently, parents may remain unaware that their child is in distress.
Specific Danger Categories Identified
In addition to the self-feeding devices, Which? found 21 pillow bottle-holders designed to secure around a baby’s neck. The investigation also uncovered 37 sleep pillows marketed for infants under one year of age on various platforms, despite previous warnings from the OPSS about the risks of suffocation and overheating. Such hazards have been linked to cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Moreover, Which? identified 59 baby sleeping bags that could pose serious suffocation risks, containing features such as hoods and lacking armholes. Many of these products do not adhere to the safety standards set by the British Standards Institution. Alarmingly, some listings showcased sleeping bags that covered a baby’s mouth and nose.
Responses from Online Marketplaces
In light of the investigation, several online marketplaces have responded. Alibaba stated it promptly removed the non-compliant products and will continue to educate sellers about safety compliance. AliExpress confirmed the removal of flagged items and pledged to enhance its control measures to mitigate risks of non-compliant listings.
Etsy emphasised that safety is a top priority and confirmed it had removed all listings that violated its policies. An Amazon spokesperson underscored the company’s commitment to customer safety, particularly regarding infants, stating, “We take customers’ safety incredibly seriously… We’ve removed the products highlighted by Which? while we investigate.”
OnBuy also removed the flagged products before any sales occurred, while eBay claimed to utilise advanced technology and expert teams to exclude unsafe items. TikTok Shop asserted its proactive stance, stating that over 99.5% of non-compliant products are removed before they can be listed.
Why it Matters
The findings from Which? serve as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in online retail, particularly concerning children’s products. With infants relying heavily on the safety of their caregivers and the integrity of marketplace platforms, it is imperative that legislative measures are swiftly enacted to ensure rigorous accountability. Safeguarding the health and well-being of children must take precedence, and the government’s prompt action is essential to prevent dangerous items from endangering young lives.
