On December 7, 2009, a consumer research group called GoodGuide burst onto the hot toy scene with the claim that the gotta-have-it Zhu Zhu Pets aren’t safe for children. Supposedly, the hamsters tested showed levels of antimony that exceeded federal standard levels of safety. With the toys already almost impossible to find in retail stores, it seemed the demand would wane a bit with the bad news. Not so.
Just a few days later, on December 10, 2009, GoodGuide quietly released a statement saying it was wrong to claim that the toys were not safe. As it turns out, the Zhu Zhu Pets’ chemical levels are below federal safety standards. The consumer group says a different test from the one the government uses was performed when the hazardous results were found. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) confirmed in a statement that the hamsters are indeed safe for child’s play.
Let the frantic shopping restart.
I can’t help but wonder why GoodGuide was so outspoken in releasing the test results. Wouldn’t you check and recheck your results before blowing the whistle on what has already proved to be the toy of the season? Between using differing tests from the government and being so much more *ahem* quiet in the retraction, I’m leaning towards the old “any publicity is good publicity” excuse. Unfortunately, this bad publicity is also totally destroying their credibility. Oops.
Now the only question left is whether or not Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, and their furry little friends are actually worth all this hoopla. Check out our review to read all about it.
