Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
11/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/09/2026 13:29
Shapiro Administration Inspects More Than 1,000 Stuffed Toys for Safety in 2026, Donates Approved Toys to Kick Off Holiday Season
November 09, 2026 - Harrisburg, PA
Shapiro Administration Inspects More Than 1,000 Stuffed Toys for Safety in 2026, Donates Approved Toys to Kick Off Holiday Season
The Pennsylvania departments of Labor & Industry (L&I) and Human Services (PA DHS) today announced that L&I approved 1,052 stuffed toys for sale in Pennsylvania this year following routine safety inspectionsto ensure the toys are safe for children. In what has become an annual tradition, L&I donated the approved toy samples to PA DHS' Holiday Wish program, and they will be distributed to Pennsylvania families during the holiday season.
This year's donation is just shy of last year's record of 1,085 toys, and includes 100 stuffed toys made with recycled materials. Pennsylvania previously prohibited recycled materials in stuffed toys sold in the Commonwealth until Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 30 of 2024 into law, updating the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act to allow their use. Toys made with recycled materials must still meet Pennsylvania's safety and labeling requirements before they can be sold.
"Our team works year-round to make sure the toys children play with meet Pennsylvania's safety standards, and this annual tradition of then donating the samples we approve is a wonderful reminder of the impact this work can have beyond the inspection process," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. "This year, we've reached an exciting milestone: 100 of the stuffed toys we're donating were made with recycled materials, up from more than 50 last year. But what makes today especially meaningful is knowing these toys will soon bring smiles, comfort, and a little extra holiday magic to children and families across Pennsylvania. We're proud to continue this tradition with our partners at PA DHS to help make the season a little brighter for those who need it most."
Speakers in Order:
Chris Hallock - Deputy Secretary of Safety & Labor Management Relations with the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry
Nancy A. Walker - Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Andrew Barnes - Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
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