Must-know test results of children's toy carrot knife

In-depth investigation report on the quality and safety of the internet-famous "Carrot Knife" toy

1. Product Background and Market Status

The "Carrot Knife" series of toys, which have recently become a hit on campus, have become a phenomenon among primary and secondary school students thanks to their unique stress-relieving properties and adorable design. These plastic toy knives, resembling carrots, are not only hot sellers on major domestic e-commerce platforms but have also become popular among students in overseas markets like South Korea. Surveys show that these products primarily achieve their stress-relieving function by simulating the mechanical action of "drawing and retracting the knife," but potential safety risks have sparked widespread concern among educators and parents.

2. Comprehensive quality assessment by professional testing institutions

Nandu Identification and Evaluation Laboratory, in collaboration with Intertek, an internationally recognized testing organization, has conducted systematic testing on mainstream products on the market:

1. Sample collection :

• Covering the five major e-commerce platforms (JD.com/Taobao/Pinduoduo/Douyin/Xiaohongshu)

• A total of 32 hot-selling products, including basic carrot knives and derivative products (carrot combs, carrot guns, etc.)

• The price range is 5-35 yuan, which basically reflects the overall market situation.

2. Testing standard system :

• Chemical safety: Refer to international toy standards such as EN71-3 and ASTM F963

• Physical properties: Implementation of GB6675 "National Toy Safety Technical Specifications"

• Special Project: Plasticizer testing using CPSC-CH-C1001-09.3 method

3. Core test results :

• Chemical safety : All 32 samples met the standards for the migration of six phthalates (DEHP/DBP/BBP, etc.) and the content of eight heavy metals (lead/cadmium, etc.).

• Flame retardant performance : All samples passed the vertical combustion test (burning rate ≤ 30mm/s)

• Physical defects : 28 models (87.5%) have safety hazards to varying degrees

3. In-depth analysis of major safety hazards

1. Product labeling defects (28 products failed to meet the standards)

• Problem manifestation:

  • Missing age warnings (16 items)

  • No safety instructions (22 items)

  • Warning font size less than 3mm (9 types)

• Risk consequences:

  • Misuse by young children may cause choking risk

  • Incorrect imitation of puncture action causing eye and facial injuries

  • Typical case: A school student used a toy as a real knife to "compete" and caused scratches

2. Small parts risk (4 models failed)

• Key questions:

  • Removable blade (2 types)

  • Decorative accessories (1 item)

  • Spring mechanism (1 type)

• Test data:

  • Small parts test tube (Φ31.7mm) full pass rate 100%

  • The mass of the parts that fall off after the tensile test is > 0.5g

• Expert Tip: Even if it meets the size standards, it is still necessary to warn children under 3 years old that it is prohibited

3. Hidden dangers of sharp points (2 models failed)

• Technical Analysis:

  • Tip curvature radius <0.5mm (standard requirement ≥0.8mm)

  • Fracture surface after 50N tensile test

  • Tip pressure test > 4.5N (children's skin penetration threshold)

• Improvement suggestions:

  • Add rounded corners (R angle ≥ 1mm)

  • Made of ABS/PP material with stronger toughness

  • The wall thickness of key parts should be ≥2mm

4. Multi-dimensional security protection recommendations

1. Responsibilities of manufacturers :

• Strictly implement GB/T 5296.5 "Instructions for Use of Consumer Products" standard

• Added eye-catching warnings of "No Stabbing" to key parts

• Optimize structural design (such as introducing automatic rebound protection mechanism)

2. E-commerce platform management :

• Establish a mandatory certification system for toys

• Remove products without age warning labels

• Set up a dedicated quality inspection pool for "decompression toys"

3. Parents' Buying Guide :

• Look for the CCC certification mark

• Check whether the product is marked with the implementation standard GB6675

• Give priority to products with soft rubber material for the blade

• Regularly check the wear of toys (recommended use period ≤ 3 months)

4. School education measures :

• Conduct class meetings on toy safety

• Establish a "civilized use of toys" supervision post

• Establish a reporting mechanism for dangerous toys

V. Suggestions on the development of industry norms

1. Promote the formulation of the "Stress Relief Toys Group Standard" to clarify:

• Dynamic test requirements (such as reciprocating test ≥ 5000 times)

• Special warning language specifications (must include "not a real knife" statement)

• Material transmittance standard (to avoid imitating metal texture)

2. Establish a "Toy Safety Innovation Laboratory" to focus on the research and development of:

• Pressure sensing alarm device

• Bio-based degradable materials

• Intelligent usage time management system

This investigation shows that while the radish knife performs well in terms of chemical safety, the potential risks posed by its physical design flaws cannot be ignored. All links in the industry chain need to work together to establish a comprehensive safety protection system from design to production to sales and use, ensuring that stress-relieving toys truly become safe products that benefit children's mental health.