Adorable Alpaca, Hidden Danger: Why Were Popular Inkari Mascots Retired?

Plush alpacas have been winning the hearts of children and adults worldwide for years. Their soft fur, endearing appearance, and exotic origins make them one of the most popular plush toys.The Inkari brand , which builds its image on the naturalness and authenticity of Peruvian alpacas, has become synonymous with this trend. Unfortunately, behind the charming facade lurked a serious threat , leading to a global product recall and undermining consumer confidence.

Choking Hazard – Specific Standards Broken

The main reason the Inkari plush alpacas have been deemed unsafe is the serious choking hazard they pose . The problem lies in the toy's design—the tiny plastic eyes can easily detach, creating small pieces that a small child could put in their mouth and swallow.

These products blatantly fail to meet stringent safety requirements. Tests have shown that the toys are non-compliant with key regulations, including:

• European standard EN 71-1 , which specifies the mechanical and physical properties of toys, testing them for strength and the presence of small parts.

• The European Union Toys Directive , which is the overarching law regarding the safety of children's products on the European market.

• The British Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 and similar regulations in force in Canada and Australia.

In the case of the youngest, whose natural tendency is to explore the world by putting objects in their mouths, such a defect poses a direct threat to health and even life.

Global Safety Alert: Scale of the Recall

The problem affects a wide range of Inkari BV products sold worldwide. since November 2020. The recall has affected many countries, demonstrating the scale of distribution and the seriousness of the situation. Warnings have been issued in the United Kingdom , Canada , and Australia. and by the European Union's early warning system , Safety Gate.

To help identify unsafe products, authorities have published detailed information. The table below shows which toys are subject to the recall:

What should consumers do?

Owners of these toys are asked to immediately discontinue use and keep them out of the reach of children. Consumers should contact the manufacturer or retailer directly to obtain a refund.

Safety Above All: When Handicrafts Are Not Enough

The Inkari plush toy scandal highlights a key truth: the term "handmade" alone is no guarantee of safety. The problem wasn't that the toys were handmade, but rather how they were made and what components they contained. The use of small, plastic eyes—even in a handcrafted product—proved to be a critical design flaw.

Therefore, when looking for a safe alternative, it is worth paying attention to brands that combine craft tradition with an uncompromising approach to safety standards, as exemplified by the Polish brand Huacaya . Like Inkari, it collaborates with artisans in Peru, but its approach to design is fundamentally different.

• Safety in the project: This is a key differentiator. Responsible brands like Huacaya consciously forgo potentially dangerous plastic eyes in favor of embroidered details. Embroidered elements are an integral part of the toy, eliminating the risk of choking.

• Craftsmanship that goes hand in hand with standards: A truly responsible brand ensures that its handmade products meet the same, or even higher, safety standards as toys produced on a large scale.

• Ethics and transparency: Collaboration with artisans based on respect translates into attention to quality at every stage – from the selection of raw materials to the final finishing.

Choosing a brand that understands that true craftsmanship isn't just about aesthetics, but above all, about responsibility for the little ones, is the best guarantee of peace of mind. It's a conscious choice that ensures that a cuddly toy will be a true friend to your child, not a source of hidden danger.