Slime toys could have potentially unsafe levels of boron, says Which?
Some children's slime toys contain potentially unsafe levels of a chemical which can cause vomiting and impair fertility, according to Which?.
An investigation by the consumer group into 11 popular slime products found eight contained higher than recommended levels of a chemical called boron.
One product had more than four times the EU safety limit, the tests found.
Which? is advising parents to "approach slime with caution" and said retailers and the government must do more.
It also urged parents to be careful when choosing to make "homemade slime", adding that some ingredients used to make slime - such as some contact lens solutions - contain borax, which is made up of boron.
Slime became one of 2017's biggest crazes, with millions of people sharing pictures on Instagram and watching DIY slime-making videos on YouTube.
Which? tested some of the popular slime products on sale for the chemical boron, an ingredient which is often used to make the products sticky.
Excessive levels of boron can cause irritation, diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps, it said.
A Risk to Pregnant Mothers
High levels may also impair fertility or cause harm to an unborn child in pregnancy, according to the European Commission.
Eight out of the 11 slime products tested contained boron levels which exceeded the European Union safety limit of 300mg/kg.
Which? warned parents that many slimes have minimal safety labelling and some are even marked with a CE, suggesting they are safe - despite boron levels being above the EU safety limit.
The eight slime toys which did not meet the EU safety directive were all purchased on Amazon, Which? said.
Amazon has removed the products identified from its website.
In a statement, the web giant said all sellers "must follow our selling guidelines and those who don't will be subject to action including potential removal of their account".
Which? said anyone who owns any of the slimes which failed the test should be able to return it to the retailer and get a refund.
The highest level of boron was Toysmith Jupiter Juice which had 1,400mg/kg of boron - more than four times the permitted level.
CCINEE Pink Fluffy Slime was found to contain 1,000mg/kg and Cosoro Dodolu Crystal Slime Magic Clay was tested to have 980mg/kg, Which? said.
Slime bought from both The Works and Smyths were tested to be within the safety limit. One product purchased on Amazon, Hulk Green Halloween Slime, met the standard.
(All information used in this blog belongs to the BBC under copyright laws)
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