Concerns raised over toy kitchen use after girl burned

A 10-year-old girl in Wuhan, Hubei province, was severely burned recently while playing with a "mini kitchen" toy capable of heating food, raising concerns over the safety of toys that enable children to cook real food.

The child received the toy as a birthday gift from her parents, according to Liu Shuhua, director of the Pediatric Burn Center at Wuhan Third Hospital. The toy lacked any labeling indicating it was intended for children, Liu told China Central Television. The girl sustained severe burns to her face, hands and neck.

Liu said there have been other cases of children being burned or scalded by similar toys.

"Even if a toy induction cooker is not very powerful, certain areas can reach temperatures high enough to cause skin tissue degeneration and necrosis," Liu said.

Mini kitchen toy sets have gained popularity on e-commerce platforms, with one Taobao store reporting over 80,000 units sold. The sets typically include a small induction cooker, frying pan, stockpot, cooking utensils and tableware, with additional mini kitchenware available for purchase. A mother surnamed Qi described the toy as a scaled-down version of a household kitchen, capable of frying, stewing, and making hotpots or desserts.

In June, the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation issued a warning about potential risks associated with such toys. These include fire hazards from thin wires, injuries from sharp or poorly made utensils and health risks from excessive heavy metals in some kitchenware.

Experts have called for more stringent regulations. Mini kitchen toys and similar products blur the lines between playthings and real kitchen appliances, and current national toy certification standards may not be sufficient, industry experts say.

Lai Yang, a member of the expert committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce, told Beijing News that stricter safety standards and thorough audits by regulatory authorities are necessary. Manufacturers must also prioritize safety and quality control, he said.

Other toys also pose risks to children's health and safety, authorities warn. For example, toys with small parts could be accidentally swallowed, and some toys may contain banned substances or harmful materials.

The Beijing Municipal Administration of Market Regulation advises consumers to check for labeling information, including material composition, recommended age range, safety warnings and the CCC mark, China's compulsory certification for product safety.

Xu Nuo contributed to this story.