Toxic toy warning for Xmas shoppers

SOME of the most popular toys on children's Christmas lists this year contain potentially dangerous levels of chemicals, a new study has found.

Consumer affairs magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs analysed 66 popular toys on shop shelves in the run-up to Christmas and found 30 posed a toxic health risk.

The group discovered chemical colorants and heavy metals in a wide range of products from varnished wooden toys to teddy bears and make-up.

The full list is published in this week's magazine, which is out later today.

La Dépêche says some toys in the Dora The Explorer range were found to contain a worrying number of phthalates, although still below the legal maximum allowed by the EU.

According to Metro, European women's group WECF has published advice on how to spot toys that are the least likely to pose safety problems.

The group recommends choosing dolls made from natural fabrics and avoiding perfumed toys or those made from PVC, which can trigger allergies.

It says any toy that does not carry the CE label on its packaging should be rejected, as it does not conform to European safety standards.