A recent inquiry by the consumer advocacy group Which? has revealed that hazardous infant products are still circulating on major UK digital marketplaces. Items including self-feeding apparatus, sleeping bags, and pillows—all previously identified as dangerous or subject to official recall notices—remain available for purchase.
The study identified 150 such items listed by third-party vendors on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and TikTok. Sue Davies, who leads consumer protection policy at Which?, criticized the current system and called on the government to mandate that marketplaces be legally responsible for the security of goods sold through their platforms. Despite clear safety warnings from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), these retailers have failed to effectively clear their inventories.
The flagged products pose significant health risks, particularly regarding choking and suffocation. More than one-third of the items identified were bottle-feeding aids that allow babies to feed without assistance, a practice explicitly discouraged due to choking hazards. Additionally, dozens of hooded sleeping bags and newborn sleep pillows were found, both of which conflict with NHS guidelines for safe sleeping environments.
Health experts note that exhausted parents are often drawn to these products by promises of improved sleep for their infants. The Lullaby Trust suggests that caregivers should rely on firm, flat mattresses and avoid items marketed as quick fixes for sleep issues. While most affected marketplaces have stated that they have removed the specific listings and are working to prevent future re-emergence, advocates argue that stronger government enforcement and legal accountability are necessary to protect families.