Toxic Baby Dolls Destroyed: Over 2,000 Tainted with Formaldehyde in Northern Vietnam

The authorities in the northern province of Quang Ninh recently disposed of 1,914 "Baby Three" dolls after they were discovered to contain formaldehyde levels above acceptable thresholds, which posed potential health hazards, along with being untraceable back to any known source.

On March 16, the traffic police confiscated the dolls from a vehicle driven by Hoang Van Luong, aged 34, when he was unable to present paperwork proving where they came from.

Infant Three dolls with high levels of formaldehyde are demolished in Quang Ninh Province. The image is provided by the Quang Ninh Police.

The toys, which have gained popularity among both children and adults over the past few months, were valued at approximately VND107 million (US$4,113) as per the police report.

Laboratory tests revealed that the toys had elevated concentrations of formaldehyde, a colorless and combustible gas known to irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Prolonged exposure to high levels may lead to certain forms of cancer.

It is utilized in making adhesives and building components.

Hoang Thanh Cong, aged 35 and the owner of the toys, has been penalized with a fine of VND45 million for engaging in trade activities involving products of unclear provenance.

Someone is holding a Baby Three toy. The image is provided courtesy of Facebook/@hothiky.truong.

Baby Three is a toy series developed by a Chinese firm, known for its rounded-face figures that display numerous emotions.

Introduced in May 2024, these dolls became highly popular in Vietnam towards the end of last year because of their variety of designs and unpredictable fragrances.

These items are sold in blind boxes, so purchasers must buy them not knowing the exact design contained within.

However, the popularity of Baby Three has recently declined, especially following a controversial incident in March concerning a doll design that resembled China’s illegal U-shaped line asserting control over large portions of the South China Sea, referred to as the East Sea in Vietnam.