The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Monday issued an urgent nationwide alert warning that counterfeit Labubu plush dolls—often marketed online as “Lafufus”—pose a serious choking and suffocation risk to young children. The dolls, sold as small figures and keychains, can fit entirely into a child’s mouth or break apart into detachable pieces, the agency said. CPSC investigators have intercepted multiple shipments of the knock-offs arriving from China and requested the seizure of thousands of units for violating federal small-parts regulations. “These fake Labubu dolls are dangerous, illegal, and have no place in American homes,” Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman said, urging consumers to stop using the products immediately and to report any incidents to SaferProducts.gov. To help shoppers distinguish an authentic toy from a fake, the regulator advises looking for nine teeth, a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the maker’s site and, on newer editions, a subtle UV stamp on one foot. Deep discounts, overly bright colors or missing safety labels are additional red flags. The warning follows a surge in popularity of the original Labubu collectibles, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Beijing-based Pop Mart. Limited supply and viral “blind-box” unboxing videos have driven resale prices into the hundreds of dollars, fueling a counterfeit market that the Better Business Bureau says has already cost dozens of U.S. shoppers hundreds in online scams.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a safety warning over fake Labubu dolls, which pose a choking hazard and can break apart easily, releasing small pieces. https://t.co/LtpKlkvHaO
Fake "Labubu" dolls and keychains are small enough to choke a child, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned in a safety alert. https://t.co/AWsNKMbWwv
Are you in on the Labubu craze? We won't judge you for buying a counterfeit Lafufu, but you should know a warning was issued saying the fake versions are a choking hazard for children. https://t.co/hsaQjmeF1H https://t.co/UMw4Du4Nvf