Seoul Finds Children's Products on Temu and AliExpress Contain Toxins Up to 622 Times Legal Limit
When parents in Seoul picked up a $3 winter hat from AliExpress last December, they had no idea it contained phthalate plasticizers at 203 times South Korea’s legal limit. That’s not an anomaly—it’s part of a pattern. On November 27, 2025, the Seoul Metropolitan Government revealed that eight of 24 children’s winter items tested from Temu, AliExpress, and Shein violated Korea’s safety standards. One hair comb had phthalates 3.5 times over limit. A magic water book? Sharp springs sticking out like tiny daggers. And then there was the jacket—sold on Temu—with phthalates soaring to 622 times the allowable level. This isn’t just a regulatory hiccup. It’s a systemic failure with real consequences for children’s health.
Repeated Violations Across Seasons
The November 2025 findings didn’t come out of nowhere. They’re the latest chapter in a year-long crackdown that began in August 2024. In June 2025, Seoul tested 35 rain gear items and found six umbrellas with phthalates up to 443.5 times over limit. Two items had lead levels 27.7 times higher than allowed. By May 2025, inspectors turned their attention to summer wear—and found even more alarming numbers. Four pairs of AliExpress shoes had lead concentrations 25 times the legal threshold. One shirt from AliExpress contained nonylphenol, a hormone-disrupting chemical, at 1.3 times the limit. pH levels in clothing were off the charts too: a Temu top registered 7.8, while Seoul’s legal range is 4 to 7.5. That’s like serving lemon juice to a baby’s skin.
What’s at Stake for Kids?
These aren’t abstract numbers. Phthalates are linked to endocrine disruption, early puberty, and developmental delays. Lead exposure—even in tiny amounts—can damage brain development, lower IQ, and increase cancer risk over time. Nonylphenol interferes with estrogen, potentially affecting fertility later in life. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been blunt: prolonged contact with these substances, especially through items worn daily like hats, scarves, and shoes, poses direct threats to growing bodies. "These are products that touch the skin for hours," said Kim Tae-hee, an official in the city’s consumer safety division. "We’re not talking about a toy left in a drawer. We’re talking about what children wear to school, to bed, to the playground."
Platforms Respond—But Are They Doing Enough?
When pressed, both Temu and AliExpress claim to act. Temu told AFP it "immediately initiated an internal review" and was removing flagged items. In a 2024 response to Business Insider, Temu claimed two of the seven toxic products mentioned had already been pulled before the report. AliExpress confirmed it cooperated with removal requests. But here’s the catch: neither platform is legally obligated to comply with Seoul’s demands. South Korea’s consumer safety laws apply to sellers within its borders—not foreign-based marketplaces. So while Seoul can demand removals, it can’t fine or shut them down. The platforms operate in a legal gray zone: they profit from sales, but claim they’re just "marketplaces," not manufacturers.
Shein Stands Out—But Why?
Interestingly, Shein has consistently passed inspections since 2024. In the May 2025 summer round, all 24 Shein items tested within legal limits. In August 2025, when 33 swimwear and water toys were checked, Shein again cleared every test. That’s not luck. Experts believe Shein’s vertical supply chain—owning factories, controlling dyeing and finishing processes—gives it tighter quality control than Temu or AliExpress, which rely on thousands of third-party sellers. "Shein invests in compliance because it’s building a global brand," said one Seoul-based consumer safety analyst. "Temu and AliExpress are betting on volume. They’re selling cheap, fast, and hoping no one looks too closely."
What’s Next for Seoul—and Parents?
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has pledged to continue weekly inspections, expanding to seasonal categories like back-to-school gear and holiday toys. They’re also pushing for international cooperation, urging the European Union and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to share data on similar violations. For parents, the message is clear: don’t assume low price means low risk. Check labels. Look for the Korean Safety Mark (KS Mark). Avoid items with strong chemical smells. And when in doubt, buy from local retailers—even if it costs more. A $20 coat from a Korean brand might save you from a $3 hazard.
Behind the Numbers: A Timeline of Failures
- August 2024: 144 products tested; multiple failures across all three platforms.
- November 2024: Temu jacket found with 622x phthalate limit; AliExpress shoes with 5x lead limit.
- June 2025: Umbrellas from AliExpress hit 443.5x phthalate limit.
- May 2025: 14 of 24 summer items failed; lead and pH violations widespread.
- August 2025: 33 swimwear/toys tested; Shein passed, Temu/AliExpress flagged again.
- November 2025: 8 of 24 winter items failed, including one scarf with 203x phthalate limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are the toxin levels found in these products?
The levels are extremely dangerous. A phthalate reading of 622 times the legal limit means a child wearing that jacket for just a few hours a day could absorb more than the safe daily exposure threshold in a single week. Lead at 25 times the limit can accumulate in the body over time, affecting neurological development. These aren’t "borderline" violations—they’re severe breaches that health officials say warrant immediate removal.
Why hasn’t South Korea banned Temu and AliExpress outright?
South Korea lacks jurisdiction over foreign platforms unless they have a local entity or warehouse. Temu and AliExpress operate through offshore subsidiaries, making them legally difficult to shut down. Seoul can only request removals and issue public warnings. International pressure and consumer boycotts are now seen as the most effective tools to force change.
Are these toxins only found in children’s products?
No, but children’s items are the biggest concern because kids absorb toxins more easily and have developing organs. Similar violations have been found in adult clothing and household goods, but regulators prioritize children’s products due to higher vulnerability. The same phthalates found in a $2 hat have also turned up in phone cases and yoga mats sold on these platforms.
What should parents do if they’ve already bought one of these products?
Stop using the item immediately. Wash it multiple times in hot water with vinegar—it can reduce surface chemical residue, though it won’t eliminate absorbed toxins. Report the product to Seoul’s Consumer Safety Hotline. If your child has had prolonged contact with the item, consult a pediatrician for a basic toxic exposure screening, especially if they show signs of skin irritation, fatigue, or developmental changes.
Why does Shein keep passing inspections while Temu and AliExpress don’t?
Shein controls nearly its entire supply chain—from fabric mills to packaging—allowing for tighter quality control. Temu and AliExpress rely on thousands of unvetted sellers, many based in China, with minimal oversight. Shein also invests in third-party lab testing before launch; the others often test only after complaints. It’s a business model difference: Shein bets on brand trust; the others bet on speed and volume.
Is this problem happening in other countries too?
Yes. The European Union has flagged similar violations in children’s clothing from these platforms. In 2024, Germany’s consumer agency recalled 17 items from Temu for lead and phthalate contamination. The U.S. CPSC has issued multiple warnings since 2023. This isn’t a Korean issue—it’s a global blind spot in e-commerce regulation.
12 Comments
Alok Kumar Sharma
This is why I stopped buying anything from Temu. $3 hats? More like $300 in pediatric bills later.
Tanya Bhargav
I bought my niece a magic water book from AliExpress last month. She loves it, but now I’m terrified. I’m washing everything in hot water with vinegar like they said. I hope it’s enough. I just wish I’d checked the reviews harder.
Sanket Sonar
Vertical integration = compliance. Shein’s model is the future. Temu and AliExpress are still in the wild west phase of e-commerce. No oversight = no accountability. It’s not a bug, it’s a feature for them. Profit over protection. Classic.
pravin s
It’s wild how much we trust these apps. We assume if it’s on the internet, it’s safe. But kids aren’t guinea pigs. I’m switching to local brands now-even if it costs double. My daughter’s health isn’t negotiable.
Bharat Mewada
We live in a world where convenience is worshipped and caution is seen as outdated. But children don’t get a second chance at development. These toxins don’t announce themselves-they seep in silently. The real tragedy isn’t the 622x limit-it’s that we’ve normalized this risk because it’s cheap.
Ambika Dhal
Of course the platforms don’t care. They’re not manufacturers-they’re middlemen who profit from chaos. And we’re the ones paying with our kids’ neurology. If you buy from Temu, you’re not saving money-you’re outsourcing your parental responsibility to a Chinese algorithm.
Vaneet Goyal
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a regulatory gap-it’s a moral collapse. These platforms know. They’ve had years of reports. They’ve seen the data. And they still push these products because they know someone, somewhere, will click "buy." And that someone? Usually a parent trying to stretch their budget. That’s not capitalism. That’s predation.
Vidushi Wahal
I read the timeline. August 2024 to November 2025. That’s 15 months of warnings. And still, the same items keep popping up. It’s like playing whack-a-mole with poison. How many kids have to get sick before someone actually enforces something?
Narinder K
So Shein passes every test? Guess that’s what happens when you pretend to be a brand instead of a flea market. Meanwhile, Temu’s slogan should be: "Cheap. Fast. Toxic. Guaranteed." Also, the magic water book with sharp springs? That’s not a product. That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Narayana Murthy Dasara
Hey, I get it-we all want to save money. But this isn’t about price. It’s about trust. I used to buy from AliExpress for my nephew’s clothes. Now I only shop at local stores or brands with KS marks. It’s more expensive, sure. But I sleep better. And honestly? The quality’s better too. Maybe we need to stop thinking of safety as a luxury and start seeing it as the baseline.
lakshmi shyam
If you’re still buying from Temu after this, you’re not a parent-you’re a liability. These aren’t "mistakes." They’re business decisions. And you’re the enabler.
Sabir Malik
Look, I’m not saying we should boycott all online shopping. But we need to be smarter. I used to think "Made in China" meant cheap and fast. Now I know it means "unregulated" unless it’s Shein. And honestly? That’s not fair to the honest manufacturers in China who do follow safety rules. The problem isn’t the country-it’s the platform’s business model. Temu and AliExpress are built on anonymity and volume. Shein’s built on brand reputation. One cares about the long game. The other just wants to cash out before the next scandal hits. We have to vote with our wallets-not just for price, but for ethics. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being responsible. And yeah, sometimes that means paying a little more. But I’d rather pay $20 for a coat that doesn’t give my kid a chemical headache than save $17 and live with the guilt later.
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