The FamilyMart convenience chain store yesterday denied accusations that some of its giveaway toys could contain toxic chemicals after recent reports said the toys give off an acrid odor.
FamilyMart said that the toys had passed safety regulations.
The denial came after a Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) reader surnamed Hung (洪) wrote to the paper to report that a series of toys given out by the store gave off an unpleasant, acrid smell.
The toys, called “Sonny Angel,” are a series of colorful plastic toy figurines in the shape of babies and are given to customers who have purchased a certain amount from the convenience store.
Hung wrote that a relative collected the toys to give as gifts to her children. However, because the toys gave off a strong smell, the relative told Hung that the toys should be washed before they were given to her.
Hung wrote that the scent did not fade even after a week, saying it was so strong that the toys still gave off the scent when put into a closed plastic bag.
Suspicious that the toys were sub-standard or contained toxic chemicals, she wrote to the paper to report the incident.
Lin Ja-liang (林杰樑), a clinical toxicology specialist at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, said the smell could be a sign that the plastic figurines contain organic solvents, which can be harmful to the liver, kidneys and nervous system if consumed in large amounts.
Although the toys are not meant to be consumed, if they contain toxic chemicals, the chemicals can still make their way into the body if small children put them in their mouths, or if someone touches the toys with their hands, then fails to wash their hands, he said.
In response to the incident, FamilyMart said the toys have passed all safety regulations, which means they do not contain toxic chemicals, have no sharp edges and are not flammable.
However, if customers have received defective toys, the company is willing to exchange them at one of their stores.
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