Giraffe Sophie ('Sophie la girafe') was sold in almost every country (except eight) and quickly became the world's most famous teether. Many children play with her and bite her to calm the discomfort of teething.
Even a pediatric dentist and mother of two children, Dana Chianese, has bought it from her children, who have used it for months. But behold the surprise that was found when cutting it and discovering a layer of mold inside the toy.
Sophie has a soft touch, smell and is soft. It has parts that stand out like the legs, ears and horns that make it very "nibbled" for babies. Too incorporates a whistle with a hole which when pressed the toy emits a sound.
Dana tells the GoodHousekeeping blog that the giraffe was the favorite toy of her two children under three, but it is no longer. He says he cleaned it often according to the manufacturer's instructions, with soapy water and a damp cloth, and without immersing it in water, but one day while doing so he felt an unpleasant smell that came from the hole of the toy when pressed. He decided to cut it in half and discovered that the inside of the toy was covered with blackish mold.
She is not the only user who warns of this disgustingness. Stephanie Oprea left a review on Amazon warning about the same and also including photos of the sectioned giraffe:
Watch out !! If you have one of these, the moisture will get into the hole and it will end up full of mold! We have had our Sophie for two years and the entire interior is covered in black mold!
In the forum of What to expect, a mother warned of what could be inside her children's favorite toy, took courage and cut the giraffe's legs to also discover mold inside.
Below, we see the warning that Dana Chianese’s father, a dentist like his daughter, shared on his Facebook profile, warning about the danger of teethers with holes.
Eye toys with holes
Whether biting or not, the toys with holes, or those that are very soft that children can bore with their teeth, they are a potential danger.
The children drool them, nibble on them, play with them in the bathtub, and when you get drool or water by the slightest hole, they can end the interior like that of the giraffe Sophie.
Any surface that traps moisture is susceptible to mold. This can grow and release spores and, although the exposure to mold from a toy is relatively low, it can pose a risk if the child has Immune problems or respiratory allergies.
How to clean toys safely
It is not the first time that desperate parents share the lair that was found in items commonly used by their children, and worse, things that are continually carried in their mouths. Some time ago, some parents warned of the mold they had found by disassembling a Tommee Tippee learning glass.
For make sure that the toys that our children play with are safe, we give you three tricks to clean toys, especially those in the bathroom, which are more likely to form mold:
Let them soak for an hour in a mixture of half a cup of white vinegar in a liter of hot water, rinse thoroughly several times and let them air dry.
Wash them in the dishwasher
Dip them in boiling water and then clean with a brush to help remove mold.
UPGRADE (01/17/2016): BB Grenadine, Sophie la girafe® distributor in Spain and Portugal, has contacted Babies and more to send us the official statement in relation to the latest information on Sophie the girafe® made by its manufacturer Vulli.
“First of all, it is important that you know that Sophie la girafe® is made of 100% natural rubber, so your instructions for use must be carefully respected. As indicated on its packaging and in the explanatory leaflet inside it, it is recommended to clean the surface of Sophie la girafe® with soapy water on a damp cloth. This should not be submerged in water or sterilized, to prevent water from entering inside, to be able to damage it. Therefore, we want to emphasize the importance of not getting water into the hole of your whistle.
Inform them that Vulli has not been contacted by Ms. Chianese or Mrs. Opera before reading the article. Therefore, it is difficult for us to certify what have been the reasons that have caused this, since these Sophie la girafe® have not been examined. Keep in mind that each complaint received is taken very seriously and that the return of the product is always requested for further examination.
Also, know that the safety of children and the satisfaction of their parents is the top priority for Sophie la girafe®. For the past 55 years, Sophie la girafe® has always strived to exceed safety standards and all products meet the strictest global standards. ”
