Consumer organization warns of missing test labs on BES islands: “Do islands have the means to ensure product safety?”
KRALENDIJK – A child on Bonaire developed a skin rash after a ‘Squishy Dumpling’, a soft gel-filled toy, tore open during play. Consumer organization FTPKB has reported the incident and is raising a more urgent question: who monitors product safety on Bonaire?
The toy store involved voluntarily pulled the product from its shelves following a complaint from FTPKB.
FTPKB purchased a similar item and detected a strong smell resembling acetone and gasoline. This was an observation, not laboratory-confirmed, but it suggests the possible presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is already investigating this type of toy following complaints about chemical odors. An initial analysis confirmed the presence of VOCs. Even in small quantities, these compounds can produce a chemical smell and cause respiratory irritation with prolonged exposure. The NVWA is still determining the exact concentration levels.
The British product safety authority OPSS previously recalled a similar toy due to excessive benzene levels, which can cause skin irritation. However, that concerned a different product and a different distributor, with no direct link to the item sold on Bonaire. A definitive verdict must await laboratory testing. FTPKB considers precautionary action justified given that this is a product intended for children.
NVWA has been investigating squishy toys for some time
Chemical testing is not a new challenge on Bonaire. In 2024, eggs on sale were found to be contaminated with creolin — consumers noticed it themselves through the taste and black spots. Laboratory confirmation was lacking then too. Sending products abroad for testing is costly. FTPKB is calling for structural public funding for chemical product testing.
Where can Bonaire have unsafe products tested?
According to FTPKB, Bonaire — and as far as is known, Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba as well, lacks any local capacity to determine the chemical composition of products. The local laboratories focus on medical, clinical and microbiological analyses. BonLab can investigate microbiological contamination but lacks the equipment needed to detect chemical substances in toys and food.
Such a testing facility would require a substantial investment, possibly too large for a single island. But together, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten have a combined population of approximately 340,000, a significant share of whom are children. There is not a single chemical testing facility anywhere in the region. FTPKB argues that a shared investment would be realistic and feasible.
It also remains unclear which authority on Bonaire is responsible for handling reports about non-food products such as toys. And there is currently no legal mechanism allowing authorities to independently remove unsafe products from the market.
Parents can hold manufacturers liable
BES legislation provides for product liability: the manufacturer, or, if the manufacturer cannot be identified, the retailer, is liable for damage caused by a defective product, including personal injury. Parents can invoke this on behalf of their children. FTPKB was informed of this by the local legal information desk Loket Huridiko. For traders, this is an important consideration: the financial consequences can be significant.
FTPKB: do not use the Squishy Dumpling for now
FTPKB is urging everyone who purchased a Squishy Dumpling for children to stop using it immediately and keep it away from children. If skin irritation or other complaints occur, FTPKB advises consulting a doctor. Questions can be sent to info@tiendapakonsumido.com or by calling 00599 717 3569. The organization hopes this incident will spark a broader conversation about consumer protection, particularly for children.
