The products have been withdrawn from shops and destroyed for presenting serious safety risks.
Consumer Affairs inspects commercial establishments and subsequently carries out a traceability check on distributors, importers and manufacturers.
The actions carried out in recent weeks by the Consumer Inspection and Market Surveillance Service of the Regional Ministry of Health on the occasion of Halloween have concluded with the withdrawal and destruction of some 450 units of various products which, due to presenting a safety risk classified as serious, have been withdrawn from retail outlets and destroyed.
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Health recalls 450 dangerous Halloween products
As it does every year, this service, which is part of the Directorate General of Benefits, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs, carries out an inspection campaign in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza prior to the arrival of the date, looking for products that do not comply with general safety regulations. The service’s inspectors give priority in their searches to products aimed at children, who are the main participants in this celebration.
The control actions do not end at these types of establishments but are followed by a search of the distributors, importers and manufacturers of these products.
The control actions do not end in this type of establishment, but a subsequent sweep is carried out of the establishments distributing, importing and manufacturing them.
The products that have been affected are mainly those specific to this celebration: costumes, costume accessories and decorative Halloween items.
Recommendations for a safe party
The Directorate General of Benefits, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs reminds the public of the importance of ensuring that products and costumes meet all safety requirements, especially if they are aimed at children.
If you choose to buy fancy dress costumes, you should take into account:
If they are for children under 7 years of age, they should not have strings or cords in the neck area.
If they are over 7 years old, the strings must not exceed 7.5 cm in length.
And if they are for a child under 14, safety warnings should be indicated.
Accessories should be checked for sharp points and small parts that can come loose.
Face masks should have sufficient ventilation holes to prevent suffocation and be appropriate for the size and age of the wearer.
Make-up products, hair dyes, etc. can cause allergic reactions, as they contain chemical substances. It is advisable to test some areas of the skin beforehand. Once the fun is over, make sure to clean your face and body thoroughly so that there are no product residues.
Make sure that the labelling indicates, as a minimum, the name of the product, the manufacturer or importer, the address, the minimum expiry date, the batch number and components, the brand, the country of origin and the CE marking (a fundamental indicator of a product’s conformity with European Union legislation).
It is also advisable to be careful with nail varnishes: they contain solvents and children often put their hands in their mouths.
Also, avoid hair dye sprays. It is better to use wigs, scarves, coloured caps, etc.
Costumes, masks, wigs, accessories, etc. should be fire-resistant. They must bear the warning ‘keep away from fire’ and be made of non-flammable or low-combustible materials.
Pyrotechnic products (sparklers, firecrackers, etc.) may only be sold in authorised establishments and are classified according to possible consumers and risks as follows:
Class I: for persons over 12 years of age (very low risk articles).
Class II: for persons over 16 years of age (reduced risk articles).
Class III: for those over 18 years of age (medium-risk items).
If you choose to make your costume, in addition to the above, you can use recycled materials, go to second-hand shops or exchange them; in this way, you avoid the consumption of new plastic present in most costumes, whose composition is polyester, and also in accessories, such as synthetic wigs, hats, masks, buckets, etc.
Always keep invoices, receipts or proof of purchase for possible claims. This proof of purchase must identify the product, the price, the date of purchase and the name and VAT number of the seller.
Opting for local products stimulates local commerce and increases the competitiveness of commerce and the primary sector of the Balearic Islands.
It is also advisable to buy preferably in establishments and shops that are members of the Arbitration System for Consumer Affairs.
For further information:
Consumer Portal
Social networks: @IBConsum
Free consumer helpline: 900 16 60 00
Offices of the Directorate General for Benefits, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs:
Palma: 971 17 79 79
Maó: 971 17 73 33
Eivissa: 971 17 70 67