Your children's teddy bear may be giving them food poisoning

Every youngster has that one cuddly stuffed animal they simply can't bear to part from. ​Whether it's a darling little doll or a traditional teddy, kids sure do love their toy companions. However, these seemingly harmless beloved toys are actually major health risks.

In a recent study performed by Dettol, a UK company that manufactures antibacterial cleaning products, microbiologists swab-tested children's used teddy bears—​and the results are absolutely shocking. A frightening 80% of the toys were contaminated with staphylococcus spp, a pathogen that can actually cause food poisoning when ingested. And even scarier —​as many as 25% of the stuffed animals contained coliforms, suggesting the possible presence of harmful organisms that can cause dangerous diseases. ​​​Another test in the same study suggested that 1 in 4 teddy bears even contain traces of fecal matter​. 

How does fecal matter end up on a toy that a child rarely lets go of? That could be just the problem. The alarming study revealed that up to 90% of children have dropped their toys on the floor at some point, and dirt and germs from the ground can easily cling to a teddy's soft fur. And we all know that when a child plays with a certain toy so frequently, it's bound to get quite filthy.

The study also discovered that 3 out of 4 bears aren't washed after a child has been ill, and 1 in 5 teddy bears have never been washed at all. It's no wonder why having these toys around is a major health risk for your child! 

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