Clay is considered a must-have for every preschooler’s school supplies and activities. Aside from providing hours of fun and creative play, it also offers numerous benefits, including the development of fine motor skills and the enhancement of creativity and imagination. Currently, there are many clay brands in the market, but the Philippine Food and Drug Association (FDA) recently issued an advisory warning the general public, including parents, about one specific brand of clay.
Joy Multi-Colored Clay SCL3005
An FDA advisory stamped March 22, 2024 reads:
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns the public NOT TO PURCHASE AND USE unnotified toy and childcare article (TCCA) product JOY MULTI-COLORED CLAY SCL3005.”
Moreover, the advisory states that during FDA’s postmarketing surveillance, the product lacked a valid Certificate of Product Notification (CPN). Without this certification, the product’s safety and quality remain unverified, posing potential health risks to children. The FDA’s stringent regulations and notification processes are in place to protect consumers, especially young ones, from the dangers of unapproved products. The advisory also serves as a reminder for parents to remain vigilant when it comes to selecting toys and childcare articles.
Possible risks
Children can be the most vulnerable to hazards presented by unnotified products. The specified Joy clay, like any non-FDA-approved toy, could pose potential hazards that may come from “ingredients that are not allowed to be part of a toy and childcare article product. The use of substandard and possibly adulterated toy and childcare article product may result to health risk including, but not limited to, endocrine disruption and reproductive or development effects; or may result to injury, choking or suffocation due to its small or broken parts.”
Why is an FDA approval important
An FDA approval for a product serves as a benchmark for quality and safety. Products that have undergone rigorous evaluation and testing by the FDA are less likely to pose health risks to consumers, especially children. By opting for FDA-approved toys and childcare items, parents can trust that the products meet strict safety standards.
Parents can check a product’s FDA status via their Verification Portal. This way, consumers can make informed decisions that prioritize their family’s health and safety.
Parents can also keep an eye out for advisories and warnings issued by the FDA and other health and safety organizations.
Ultimately, parents should always remember their responsibility to make informed, safe choices for their children. By adhering to public health advisories and opting for FDA-approved products, parents can safeguard their children from any potential hazards and ensure that their playtime remains fun and safe.
Read here for an FDA warning on buying unauthorized toys.
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