Zhu Zhu Pets CEO Fights Back At Consumer Group's Allegations

Is Mr. Squiggles bad for your child’s health?

Cepia LLC is issuing a resolute “No” in response to a consumer safety guide report suggesting that the holiday season's best selling toy, the Zhu Zhu Pets, are a safety hazard.

According to a report released on Friday by Good Guide, a web site that reviews consumer products, high levels of antimony and tin were found in the Mr. Squiggles Zhu Zhu Pet. Antimony is a fire retardant that has been linked to cancer, heart, and lung problems.

Cepia questions Good Guide's methods, releasing their own internal testing showing permissible levels of antimony and tin. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the “Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 limits no more than 60 parts per million. Good Guide says it found 93 ppm in Mr. Squiggles’ fur and 103 in its nose.”

Cepia claims that Good Guide used a cheap X-ray to test the toy instead of “performing more extensive solubility tests required by the federal government,” a fact Good Guide admits. Cepia chief executive officer Russ Hornsby issued a complete rebuttal of Good Guide’s findings.

"We are disputing the findings of Good Guide and we are 100% confident that Mr. Squiggles, and all other Zhu Zhu Toys, are safe and compliant with all U.S. and European standards for consumer health and safety in toys."

Cepia also claims that retailers have performed their own safety tests and found the Zhu Zhu Pets pass. The toy manufacturer is meeting with members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is also is looking into Good Guide’s claims.

With 6 million Zhu Zhu Pets sold this holiday season, the effects of a recall, or even the suggestion that Zhu Zhu Pets are toxic, would be devastating to toy retailers and Cepia. Toymakers like Toys “R” Us have been using the demand for Zhu Zhu Pets as a tool to drive traffic into stores, barring them from sale online.

The affordable toy (only $9.99) has been a blessing to retailers desperate for a market upturn. Currently, the Zhu Zhu Pets are Cepia’s cash cow. The company would not be able to weather the fallout after recalling their most prominent product.