An Australian mother has warned other parents after a squishy toy exploded in her 10-year-old son's face at the Royal Adelaide Show, spraying an unknown substance into his eyes and mouth and leaving him coughing and vomiting. Amanda Bennett said her son, Mason, was simply testing the toy at a stall when it burst, and she has since questioned whether it was a counterfeit version of the popular NeeDoh stress-relief brand after the stallholder could not identify the toy's ingredients or provide packaging.

Mason was rushed to hospital and, five days on, was still coughing, prompting a further trip for X-rays to check whether the substance had reached his lungs. Show organisers said the toy was genuine NeeDoh, made from a non-toxic compound, and that exhibitor stands are checked for compliance, while stressing counterfeit goods are barred under their exhibitor agreement. The incident follows a recent Australian Border Force crackdown on fake squishy toys, with the consumer watchdog ACCC warning that some such products have been linked to skin and eye irritation, nausea, headaches and dizziness.